02-28-24-ENG.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Romans 1:18–20

One of my all-time favorite movies is A Few Good Men. Most people who have seen the film remember the epic scene as the movie rolls to its conclusion. Tom Cruise’s character is interrogating Jack Nicholson’s character on the stand. They intently stare each other down as their passions rise. Tom Cruise’s character then pounds firmly on the table as he yells, “I want the truth!” That’s when Jack Nicholson looks him in the eye and snaps back, “You can’t handle the truth!” It seems that is where we have landed in our culture today. Everybody claims that they want truth in some form or fashion. But when truth comes to the surface, most people can’t handle it. That’s why a call for truth becomes little more than a call for consensus these days.

It is a call for what the culture or the ruling influencers will deem is true—until it changes directions, and another call for consensus goes out. The problem is, truth isn’t created by consensus, and what’s more, its removal comes with consequences. If and when a culture chooses to suppress truth, that culture will face the consequences of its own choices. This is because you can’t be both “poor in spirit” and think you are the author of what is true. Pride is the backing of the “your truth” and “my truth” movement. Anytime we sidestep and marginalize God’s truth, we have leaned into pride. God opposes all forms of pride, and He meets it with His wrath. The reason God’s wrath rains down can be found in Romans 1:18–20.

Essentially, the blame is on us. We read that God unleashes His wrath “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (v. 19). To put it like a parent: we should know better than that. God has made truth evident to us. To suppress it is to deny its reality. Everyone is born with a conscience. We have been given a truth-regulator—a smoke detector of the soul. Our conscience knows the truth. Similarly, our conscience knows the smoke and mirrors of a lie. That’s why you have probably found yourself innately knowing when something or someone is wrong, or off, or shady. You know this because you are built with a conscience tied to truth. The suppression of truth, in time, warps the conscience. It dulls the conscience.

Like batteries wearing out in the smoke detector, the conscience becomes less and less activated or alert. Before you know it, a person’s conscience can be buried so deep under a pile of lies that the person can no longer distinguish between truth and fiction, right and wrong. This is because the conscience has become dulled and calloused. It no longer works, with the result that it destroys the character of a person or a group of people. 

Reaction:

What is your personal definition of pride? Why do you think God opposes pride? What do you think is God’s definition of truth? 

Prayer:
Jesus, help me walk in Your truth and not give in to the pride seeking to compete with You that wells up within me. I humble myself before You and ask that You will reveal to me the steps I am to take in order to glorify You and make You known. I love You and want my life to reflect Your love to others. In Your name, amen.