Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name” (Psalm 86:11).
Why do people no longer desire absolute truth? What is the fascination with and vulnerability to “fake news”? Why are online streams filled with hatred and venom toward opposing viewpoints? Is it all just expanding communication methods or was it all predicted?
Characteristic of the End Times
In reference to the end times, Jesus warned, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other” [Matthew 24:10]. In other words, a rampant characteristic of society just preceding Christ’s return to rapture His bride away is exactly what we are experiencing today. And truth is the primary victim.
Several contributing factors play into this scenario.
False Teachers and Prophets
Scripture confirms, “in the last days, many false prophets will arise.” Jesus prophesied it [Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:4, 11, 24]. Peter and John warned about it [2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1]. Suddenly, everyone wants to share “a word” through every means available. They ignore the Biblical warning, “let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” [James 3:1]. Sadly, most are not qualified or called to this scared venue. Even scarier, Jesus said each person will have to give an account before Him of every word [Matthew 12:36].
When we combine this surge of false proclaimers with modern technology and the availability of countless social media streams – voila! Instead of using these incredible tools to share God’s wisdom and doctrinal truth, people want to share their “stories” or their version of truth. All this “noise,” drowns out the actual truth-speakers. Absolute truth loses her voice to moral relativism, cultural tolerance, and modernistic doctrine.
Lawlessness
God’s Word also predicts there will be an increase of “lawlessness” [Matthew 24:12]. What drives this reckless surge in evil as we approach the imminent return of Christ? The Apostle John gives us three hints [1 John 2:16]:
- Lust of the eyes: “The eyes of man are never satisfied” [Proverbs 27:20]. Man’s insatiable appetite for more, more, more curbs his moral restraint. What he has doesn’t satisfy so he pushes all boundaries in search of anything to scratch his itch. Yet he refuses true fulfillment – Jesus and the truth and peace only He provides.
- Lust of the flesh: Paul outlines such works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Adultery and sexual immorality. Lewdness, idolatry, and sorcery. Hared, contentiousness, jealousy, and envy. Murder, outbursts, drunkenness, revelries, and more. Sound familiar? Such unrestrained passions have zero desire for truth.
- Pride of life: “For men will be…boasters, proud, blasphemers, without self-control, despisers of good…” [2 Timothy 3:2-3]. If ever there was one common characteristic of truth resisters it is pride or arrogance. Such self-proclaimed know-it-alls only pursue what they think is right. Yet, in that mindset, they don’t understand they are the most deceived.
Growing Apathy
Sadly, Jesus also warned that “the love of many will grow cold” [Matthew 24:12]. Today’s news is filled with people turning their back on God’s truth, denying their faith, and embracing new age enlightenment. World leaders, celebrities, even some supposed faith-based leaders reject Scriptural truth by embracing the new societal order.
Overall, there seems to be a disregard for righteousness. People no longer care. Nothing is sacred. They no longer “hunger and thirst after righteousness” [Matthew 5:6]. People are tired of boring religion and fake religiosity because they haven’t had a genuine encounter with Jesus. Instead of fostering a relationship with Jesus and embracing His truth, the current societal focus is on personal rights, being offended, and entitlement.
No Boundaries
In the absence of absolute truth, everyone does what is right in his or her own eyes. They don’t understand “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” [Proverbs 12:15]. Paul identified this last-days syndrome as having “itching ears” [2 Timothy 4:3]. People only want to hear what pleases them and their desires.
Without moral restraint or boundaries, people no longer respect “No.” They pursue happiness instead of holiness. Instead of pursuing sound truth, whatever personally gratifies will do. Yet, even that remains empty. Tweet-worthy sound bites go viral even if they are not “of sound doctrine” [Titus 1:9] and spiritually powerless.
An Active Enemy
Added to man’s reckless abandonment of truth, there exists an aggressive truth-twister who seeks “whom he may devour” [1 Peter 5:8]. The devil has challenged and counterfeited God’s truth from his first whisper in the Garden of Eden. “Did God really say…?” [Genesis 3:1]. His lies contain enough traces of truth to sway anyone not “grounded and steadfast” in Biblical truth [Colossians 1:23]. This deceit is nothing new as Satan has been deceiving the entire world from the very beginning [Revelation 12:9].
As we approach the final chapter of history, Satan knows his time is limited [Revelation 12:12]. So, he increases his aggression as time winds down. He doesn’t call time out, take time off, or give anyone a break. Oh, no. He goes into a full-court press to deceive as many as possible. Thus, we have his deceitful voice clamoring with all the rest.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens
Featured Image by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
[…] As Pilate asked Jesus [John 18:38], many people are searching for truth. But that quest is confusing and frustrating with a lack of truthfulness in all aspects of society. Corruption and deceit run rampant in government. Politicians say only what gets them reelected. Personal agendas scream at each other. Professors and teachers spew moral relativism. Apostate, so-called progressive preachers and teachers proclaim their preferential per-versions of truth. Sadly, truth seems to have lost her voice. […]