“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:32
Truth is not just an abstract idea—it is a person. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). This means that truth is not merely a set of propositions but is rooted in God Himself, fully revealed in Christ. To know the truth is to know God, and to walk in the truth is to walk in His ways.
From the very beginning, however, humanity has been at war with the truth. Scripture teaches that Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden, leading them to doubt God’s goodness and rebel against His command (Gen. 3:1-6). This deception plunged the world into sin, bringing suffering, confusion, and death.
Yet God has not left humanity without witness. Even apart from Scripture, God has revealed His truth in a universal way—through the moral order embedded in the human conscience. Our awareness of right and wrong reflects God’s own character, serving as a form of general revelation that points us to Him. But when we reject the truth, we suppress that revelation, leading to darkness, disorder, and ultimately death.
God’s Moral Order: A Reflection of His Truth
Romans 1:18–32 provides a sobering diagnosis of humanity’s spiritual condition. Paul explains that the wrath of God is revealed against human wickedness because people “suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Rom. 1:18). The truth about God is evident—not only in creation but in the moral compass within us.
Paul argues that humanity inherently knows certain moral truths because God has “made it plain to them” (Rom. 1:19). This moral law, written on the human heart (Rom. 2:15), reflects God’s righteousness. When people follow this moral law—by pursuing justice, mercy, and love—they are, in a sense, aligning with God’s truth. This is why righteousness leads to life (Prov. 12:28).
But when people rebel against God’s moral order, they do not just break arbitrary rules; they reject truth itself. To live in immorality is to live in a lie—a lie that denies God’s authority, suppresses His revelation, and ultimately brings destruction.
The Consequences of Suppressing the Truth
Rebellion against God’s truth leads to two forms of divine judgment:
1. Passive (Indirect) Judgment: The Consequences of Sin Itself
Paul describes how, as people reject God, He “gave them over” to their sinful desires (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28). This phrase signifies that God, in judgment, allows people to suffer the natural consequences of their rebellion.
- When people distort sexuality, it leads to broken relationships, shame, and loss of true intimacy (Rom. 1:24-27).
- When people embrace greed and selfishness, societies become corrupt and unjust (Rom. 1:29-31).
- When people reject God’s authority, moral confusion and chaos take over (Isa. 5:20).
In other words, sin carries its own punishment. By living outside of God’s design, people reap the devastating effects of their choices—alienation, anxiety, and spiritual blindness. This passive judgment is seen throughout history as civilizations collapse under the weight of their own moral decay.
2. Active (Direct) Judgment: God’s Righteous Wrath
While much of God’s judgment is allowing people to experience the consequences of their actions, there are also times when He directly intervenes in history to judge wickedness. The flood in Noah’s day (Gen. 6:5-7), the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19), and even Israel’s exile (2 Kings 17:7-23) are examples of God stepping in to execute direct judgment.
Romans 1 describes how, when rebellion reaches a certain point, God’s wrath is revealed in ways that are unmistakable. Societies that abandon the truth eventually experience divine intervention—whether through economic collapse, political turmoil, or social disintegration. These judgments serve as a warning that God will not be mocked (Gal. 6:7).
The Call to Walk in the Truth
If deception leads to death, then truth leads to life. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus, the Truth, has come to set us free from the lies of sin. By following Him, we move from darkness into light (John 8:12).
Walking in the truth means:
- Submitting to God’s moral authority rather than redefining right and wrong (Prov. 3:5-6).
- Embracing righteousness because it leads to peace and life (Isa. 32:17).
- Rejecting the cultural lies that morality is relative and that sin has no consequences (Rom. 12:2).
- Sharing the gospel so that others can be freed from deception (2 Cor. 4:4-6).
Jesus has made the way clear: truth liberates, while lies enslave. To reject God’s moral order is to live under deception, confusion, and judgment. But to embrace His truth is to experience the freedom, clarity, and life that only He can provide.
May we be a people who love the truth, walk in the truth, and proclaim the truth—no matter the cost.
