The Lie They Tell Themselves

     Presently, in modern culture, it would appear that the great debate is set between those who believe in God and those who do not. We see atheists and humanists on one side and the religious and the spiritual on the other. God vs no God. Biblically speaking however, there's already a problem here. We can't have atheists on one side of the argument, because they don't exist. We can't defend against a world that does not believe, because that world isn't the one in which we live. Everyone believes in God, whether they admit it or not. Those who tell you that they don't are lying, even to themselves.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools”

(Romans 1:18-22)

     The Bible tells us plainly that everyone knows that God exists, only that information is suppressed. It's hard for us to balance the fact that the people we see around us are the lost and those in need of salvation with the fact that those same people are hardhearted rebels, haters of God and enemies of the kingdom. The kindness we see is a veneer, a fragile shell over the evil potential we all carry with us in our nature. Everyone has their excuse, but no matter what they tell you remember that it is not that they lack evidence, or that 'they're just not convinced', or 'the science isn't there', or the evils of the world show them otherwise; these and many others are just justifications for their hatred for and rebellion against the God of the universe.

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

(Romans 1:28-32)

     The last line in particular is interesting, “knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” So this goes beyond simply knowing that God exists, we all know His judgments and that they are righteous! This is the reasoning, the explanation for the society's continuing decline from God's standards. It shows us why we see the growth and acceptance of deviant 'lifestyles' and behaviors. Ultimately it's because we know that God has condemned them, but the world hates Him, and will support anything that goes against Him. They will eagerly take any chance to raise their fist to his face.

     Remember then, that the person you're talking to and trying to convince of God, that person who tells you they don't believe, doesn't really mean it. They do believe in God. They are simply unwilling to place themselves under his authority and that is why we require the work of the Spirit to be saved; because we don't want to be.