9 biblical harsh truths you need to accept to become a better Christian

Being a Christian isn’t always easy. In fact, there are some harsh truths in the Bible that we need to accept if we want to grow in our faith.

These truths can be tough to swallow. They might make us uncomfortable or challenge our beliefs. But it’s only by facing these truths head on that we can truly become better Christians.

In this article, I’m going to share with you 9 biblical harsh truths you need to accept. They might not be easy to hear, but they’re essential for your spiritual growth.

So get ready, because we’re about to dive deep into the word of God.

1) Not all prayers are answered

This can be a hard pill to swallow, especially when we’re going through tough times. We pray and pray, hoping for a miracle, but sometimes, it doesn’t come.

This isn’t because God doesn’t care or isn’t listening. On the contrary, He hears every prayer. But God isn’t a genie who grants every wish we make. He has a plan for our lives, and sometimes, that plan involves hardship.

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28 that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” So even when our prayers aren’t answered in the way we want, we can trust that God is working things out for our good.

Accepting this truth can be difficult. But it’s an important step towards becoming a better Christian. It helps us to trust in God’s plan, even when we don’t understand it. And it reminds us that our faith should not be based on getting what we want, but on trusting in God’s will.

2) Being a Christian doesn’t mean life will be easy

I remember when I first accepted Christ into my life. I was excited and full of hope. I thought, “Now that I’m a Christian, everything will fall into place. Life will be easier.” Boy, was I wrong.

Becoming a Christian didn’t shield me from the hardships of life. In fact, in some ways, it made things harder. I faced criticism from those who didn’t share my beliefs. I struggled with my own sins and shortcomings. And there were times when I felt distant from God.

But here’s what I’ve learned: being a Christian isn’t about having an easy life. It’s about having a meaningful one.

The Bible even warns us that we’ll face trials and tribulations. In John 16:33, Jesus says, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

This truth can be hard to accept, especially when we’re going through tough times. But accepting it can help us to understand that our struggles are not punishments or signs that God doesn’t love us. They’re opportunities for growth and for demonstrating our faith. And they’re reminders that we’re not alone – we have a Savior who has overcome the world.

3) Forgiveness is not optional

In the book of Matthew, Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. “Up to seven times?” he asked, probably thinking that was more than generous.

But Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

That’s 539 times if we take it literally!

But the point Jesus was making is that forgiveness isn’t a one-time thing, or something we do only when we feel like it. It’s a continuous and essential part of being a Christian.

This can be a tough truth to accept, especially when we’ve been deeply hurt by someone. But holding onto anger and resentment only harms us in the end. It keeps us stuck in the past and prevents us from moving forward.

If you want to become a better Christian, start by practicing forgiveness – not just seven times, but seventy-seven times.

4) Faith requires action

It’s easy to say we have faith when everything is going well. But what about when we’re faced with challenges? Do we still trust in God’s plan? Do we still follow His commandments?

The Bible tells us in James 2:17 that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” This means that it’s not enough to just believe in God. We have to show our faith through our actions.

For instance, if we say we believe in helping the less fortunate, but we never actually do anything to help them, then our faith is empty.

This truth can be hard to accept because it requires us to step out of our comfort zone. It means we have to do more than just talk about our faith – we have to live it out.

But the reward is worth it. By putting our faith into action, we can grow closer to God and become better Christians.

5) We’re not meant to do life alone

Being a Christian isn’t about going it alone. It’s about being part of a community, a body of believers who support and encourage each other.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

This tells us that we’re not meant to face life’s challenges alone. We’re meant to lean on each other, to lift each other up when we fall, and to encourage each other in our faith.

This truth can be hard to accept, especially for those of us who are used to doing things on our own. But accepting it can lead to deeper relationships with our fellow believers and a stronger faith in God.

6) God’s love is unconditional

This is a truth that can be hard to comprehend. In a world where love often comes with conditions, the idea of an unconditional love can seem foreign, even impossible.

But God’s love isn’t like human love. It doesn’t depend on what we do or don’t do. It doesn’t waver when we make mistakes. It doesn’t diminish when we fail.

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

No matter what we’ve done or what we’re going through, God’s love for us is constant and unchanging.

Accepting this truth can be life-changing. It means realizing that we’re worthy of love, not because of what we do, but simply because we exist. And it means knowing that no matter how far we fall, God’s love is there to lift us up.

7) We all fall short

I remember a time when I felt like I had to be perfect to earn God’s love. I thought that every mistake, every sin, was a black mark against me. It was an exhausting and soul-crushing way to live.

But then I read Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

This verse was a wake-up call. It reminded me that we’re all imperfect. We all make mistakes. We all sin. And that’s okay. Because God’s love isn’t dependent on our perfection.

This truth can be hard to accept, especially for those of us who strive for perfection. But accepting it can bring a sense of relief and freedom. It allows us to let go of the impossible standard of perfection and accept ourselves as we are – imperfect, but loved by God.

8) Suffering has a purpose

No one likes to suffer. It’s uncomfortable, painful, and often seems pointless. But the Bible tells us something different.

Romans 5:3-4 says, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

This means that our suffering is not in vain. It’s not meaningless. It has a purpose. It helps us to grow and develop as individuals. It strengthens our character and gives us hope.

This truth can be hard to accept, especially when we’re in the midst of suffering. But accepting it can give us a new perspective on our pain. It can help us to see our suffering as an opportunity for growth, rather than a punishment or setback.

9) God’s grace is sufficient

No matter how hard we try, we can never earn our way to heaven. We can never be good enough or do enough to deserve God’s love. But the good news is, we don’t have to.

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

God’s grace is enough. It covers all our sins and shortcomings. It’s a free gift that we simply need to accept.

Final reflection: Embracing the journey

The path to becoming a better Christian is not a linear one. It’s filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, joys and sorrows.

These biblical truths we’ve explored are not meant to discourage you, but rather to illuminate your path. They are the guideposts that lead us towards a deeper understanding of our faith and a closer relationship with God.

Each truth, whether it’s about forgiveness, suffering, or God’s limitless love, carries profound wisdom. They remind us that being a Christian is not about being perfect, but about being transformed.

The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

As we grapple with these truths, we are continually being shaped and molded into the image of Christ. It’s a journey of transformation that lasts a lifetime.

So let’s embrace this journey, together. With God as our guide, we can navigate even the harshest truths and emerge stronger in our faith.