Truth, Dressed in Light

Posted by laurieetta on June 9, 2025 in Being Human | 2 Comments

The first time I saw this painting, I was captivated. Even before I knew its title or history, I could tell it carried deep meaning. The painting is Ignorance, Envy and Jealousy, created by James Ward in 1829, and it’s as unsettling as it is captivating. Three monstrous figures twist together in a corner, their faces gnarled and snarling, serpents slithering around them. You don’t need an art degree to feel what’s going on here: spiritual decay, human brokenness, evil taking root.

These figures feed a beast labeled Calumny. Calumny is the intentional act of spreading false claims to ruin someone’s reputation. It’s slander, yes—but with deliberate lies as its weapon. It’s the kind of thing we like to believe only other people do. But James Ward’s painting suggests otherwise. These aren’t just creepy characters from a bygone era. They live uncomfortably close to home.

Because truthfully? We all carry the potential for these shadows. They creep in quietly. When we compare ourselves to others and feel less-than. When we dismiss feedback because it wounds our pride. When we silently hope someone else stumbles because their success unsettles us.

Left unchecked, these vices disfigure more than our attitudes. They twist our souls.

But the painting doesn’t leave us in the dark.

Off to the side is another figure—calm, composed, glowing. Truth. Not just an abstract idea or theological concept, but a person. She stands tall, clothed in light, untouched by the chaos around her. A serpent lies beneath her feet—defeated. No snarling. No clenched fists. Just presence. Just light.

Where Truth is, darkness doesn’t stand a chance—not because it’s attacked, but because it simply can’t stay. And in Christian faith, we see this even more vividly in Jesus. He doesn’t just tell the truth—he is the truth. He doesn’t show up to scold or accuse. He steps into our shadowy corners to set us free. His light is not harsh. It’s holy. And it’s for us.

Being human connection: Being human means acknowledging that we all wrestle with monsters. But we don’t have to do it alone. Maybe today the question is this: Which of the three—ignorance, envy, or jealousy—has the strongest grip on me right now? The good news? Truth, dressed in light, is not afraid of your darkness. He steps in. He speaks peace. He sets you free.

Featured art: James Ward, Ignorance, Envy and Jealousy, 1829, Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon