Some time ago I noticed that it’s difficult (bordering on impossible) for lawless rebels to acknowledge truth. The truth is such a scary thing to pagans that they won’t even admit their own beliefs are correct.
“Haha! C’mon John, you jerk! You’re lying! Nobody is afraid of the truth!! You’re building a strawman!!!”
I know! I must be exaggerating! When I first notice this aversion to truth I thought, “Haha! C’mon John (I didn’t call myself a jerk)! Nobody is so depraved that they won’t admit to believing their own words!” To prove to myself that I had it all wrong, I started asking people, “Do you think your comment is true?” Time after time that simple question created a firestorm of indignation and outrage.
Rather than answer the question, the person in the screenshot blocked me. He wasn’t the first to do so and I’m sure he won’t be the last. Truth is a dangerous substance to handle. It is like an acid that burns whatever it touches without discriminating. Dealing in truth is not for cowards.
Jesus was crucified because he wouldn’t stop speaking truth. Speaking truth is what martyred the Apostles. You don’t get into trouble for having an unpopular opinion. You get into trouble for proclaiming that opinion is right.
At some level way down in the dark recesses of their being, God-haters know the truth is sacred. They understand (and most will insist that I’m lying) that when they express truth, they are accountable to that truth. It burns them right along with everyone else who hears it. There are consequences to admitting you possess knowledge. The bravery of anti-religious crusaders fades the moment they are required to stand on their assertions.
That’s why asking, “Are you speaking truth?” sends some people into a frenzy. Admitting the truth exists is a giant step toward admitting there must be an authority to validate it. From there, it’s just one more tiny step to freedom. Many people prefer the shackles of sin to freedom in Christ.
(John 8:31) To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
