The real sins—different in degree and impact from smaller, circular vices of appetite—require some good relationship to corrupt. By their nature they cannot exist without a trust to betray, a love to reject, a person to exploit, a truth to break. They are nothing without harm.

And though, in such cases, a soul is desperate to hide, there is no hiding. The false refuge of deception proves never big enough. The self must build ever larger facades, trying to cover its rot, and all while such exhausting work depletes it further into fear and self-pity.

And in every case of such unprivate ill, there is some victim, who did not in the least deserve to bear some absolutely foul burden.

The truth cannot “fix” this, for truth is not either magic or illusion. But the truth can set free, and Christ can redeem ruin.