Job 21:34

34 How then comfort [nacham] ye me in vain [hebel], seeing in your answers [tashuwbah] there remaineth [sha'ar] falsehood [ma`al]? KJV-Interlinear

34 'How then will you vainly comfort me, For your answers remain full of falsehood?' NASB

Jobs friends came to visit Job with the intention of giving comfort. Unfortunately, they came filled with many preconceived notions of life, notions based on the many truths they had learned through tradition and proverbs, but applied inaccurately to life because of their misinterpretations and therefore misrepresentations of those principles.

A truth must be matched up with a truth in order to be true.

A truth, which is mixed with a falsehood, is a lie.

A lie, which is mixed with truth, is a lie.

A falsehood mixed with a falsehood, is obviously a lie.

A falsehood is anything, which departs from the truth. Any lie, any fabrication, any deceit, any deception, any compromise, any distortion, and so forth, all are falsehoods, or lies.

Anyone who entertains falsehoods within their soul, will ultimately have erroneous views of life. They will not be oriented to truth, to life, to God, to man, or even to self. All of the beliefs and attitudes that circulate through your soul, have an impact on your life and your relationships with both people and God.

Only truth provides the legitimate compass and map for traveling through life. Only truth provides the foundation and mechanism for a genuine interaction with people, a genuine orientation to life, and a genuine relationship with God. Anytime a falsehood is mixed with truth, anytime truth is watered down with something false, then all interpersonal skills will begin to fail.

Therefore, consolation for the suffering must be combined with correct views of life, rather than incorrect apprehensions leading to false hopes or false accusations, or false conclusions.

Without truth to sustain the soul in times of difficulty, then you are left with all sorts of anxieties, fears, worries, uncertainties, insecurities, and so forth.

Only truth can break the chains of emotional distress. And often times that cannot be accomplished overnight. Truth takes time to build up ones wall of defenses against the world.

It is far better to hear truth, even if it is in criticism or correction, now in this life where it will do you some good, rather than to discover it in the next life.

However, when someone is suffering, then criticism or correction is not always the best approach, and it certainly is never the best approach when falsehoods are mixed in with the comforters words.

Now is the time to post a prayer.