Truth decay

(The following is a summary of the message preached by Michael Larsen on October 13, 2019.)

Fake news and lies are leading to truth decay. Today we looked at three very destructive philosophies that have replaced truth in our society:

1) Individuality or individualism, which says I live for myself

2) Secularism which says God is unnecessary

3) Relativism which says that there are no absolutes.  

In John 8:32 Jesus said “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Freedom comes from truth. The more you know the truth, the freer you are in your spirit and in your life. The opposite is also true. The more you give up on truth, the more you forfeit your freedom.

There are six signs of truth decay. 

1.  Immaturity

When there are no standards of true and false, right and wrong, then we all act in irresponsible ways. I can blame other people for my problems. I can expect the government or somebody else to solve my problems because I’m not responsible. That’s immaturity.  The Bible says this in Ephesians 4:14  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. When you blame others, you are being irresponsible. That is a mark of truth decay.

2.  Immorality is a mark of truth decay.

Immorality just means no morals. It means I do whatever I want to do. If there is no standard of right or wrong, then anything’s alright.  The Bible tells us back in the book of Judges that there was no king, no ruler in Israel and it says “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”  In other words, everyone did their own thing.  

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. They say, I don’t care what God says. If there’s no right or wrong, I’ll just do what I want to do.  

3.  Unreality

When people stop believing in truth, they’ll believe anything. The Bible says this in 2 Thessalonians 2:12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

4.  Illegality

Law is built on an idea that there are things that are right and there are things that are wrong.  If there’s no standard of right or wrong, then everything can be considered legal.  

5.  Idolatry

We idolize the wrong things, like wealth or success or physical beauty or athletic ability. The Bible says in Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 

6.  Injustice

When there’s no standard of right and wrong, no truth and no falsehood you can get away with anything. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:14 So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.

The solution is for us to be people of the truth.