The word "truth" is substituted in the title for the common word "wolf" because truth that doesn't correspond to what a person wants to accept as truth is viewed as threatening---like a wolf. In the past few decades America has largely moved from valuing freedom of expression and being a marketplace for diverse ideas to condemning and attempting to censure any ideas that challenge the opinions of the power-brokers of opinion in the media, education, and politics. A recent example was the provision of free counseling to college students in Cleveland who may feel distressed about having the Republican Convention in their city. The implication is that those conservatives can be scary.
As we are now, July 21st, between the Republican and Democratic Conventions, it is tragic that rather than listening and considering what both parties have to say, many Americans will only listen to the advocates for the party with which they have historically identified, and believe the report and appraisal they give of what the other party represents. And as is pointed out in Good Faith, social media and the ways people connect with those who share their views have further divided people of differing thought by enabling them to huddle with like-minded folk and reinforce their ideas unchallenged.
Jesus stated a truth that explains this general pattern pf human nature as well as the specific thing He was speaking about.
John 3:19-21 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Human nature is that we don't like to be corrected, or be told something we want isn't legitimate or do-able.
As we pray for our country during these next few months leading to elections, it seems an appropriate petition would be to ask the Lord to reveal truth to those who fear and avoid it as well as to those who value and seek it out. And part of that is that He would reveal how differences in leadership and values have affected and will affect the course of our lives and the future of the country. Proverbs warns that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (14:12 and 16:25) However, sometimes when we come face to face with the outcomes of our decisions we change our minds about what we are willing to subscribe to.
All the politicians say "God bless America." May God bless America with revelation of truth and outcomes lest we continue plunging toward more darkness and destruction. Amen.
