The work of Satan…deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, NIV 1984).
My Musings – In context, this has to do with the time that “the man of lawlessness is revealed” (the anti-Christ), and “the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way” (the Holy Spirit). It had its origin in the Garden, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'” (Genesis 3:1, NIV 1984).
But “the time” spoken of in the context relates to the last days. “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:2–4, NIV 1984).
Myths. Otherwise known as emotion, public opinion and personal belief. Not facts. Not truth. Even our culture recognizes this and has coined the term “post-truth,” relating to a situation in which people are more likely to accept an argument based on their emotions and beliefs (opinion), rather than one based on facts (truth).
Another term might be “truth fatigue,” a term for the mental and emotional exhaustion that comes from trying to verify information in an environment of constant, often contradictory, beliefs and opinions. Pontius Pilate exhibited this when Jesus said He came to testify to the truth. “‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked.” (John 18:38, NIV 1984).
But as noted in the text above, post-truth and truth fatigue do not adequately describe what is yet to come. People will “refuse to love the truth” and be “delighted in wickedness.” The work of Satan on steroids. To some, it may seem like we are already there. It will get worse.
In a post-truth culture, there is a huge difference between truth fatigue and refusing to believe the truth.
There is hope for those with truth fatigue. “If [they] look for it [the truth]as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then [they] will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge [truth] of God.” (Proverbs 2:4–5, NIV 1984). And what is the truth of God, the answer to Pilate’s question? “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6, NIV 1984). “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31, NIV 1984). That’s hope.
There is no hope for those who refuse to love the truth. “All will be condemned who have not believed the truth.” For there is no alternative truth. So, God will send “them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” “They [will] perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved.” That’s hopelessness.
My Advice – Do not “turn [your] ears away from the truth.” Do not “refuse to love the truth and so be saved.” Do not “turn aside to myths.” Do not “ believe the lie and so…be condemned .”
