In every human being is the immutable truth that no-one cannot know that the deepest convictions of the soul have two realities. No-one cannot know that taking an innocent life by force is acceptable. No-one cannot know that abusing an innocent child is wrong. No-one cannot know that lying to gain control or advantage is the right position. There is a law written on every human beings heart that cannot be ignored. …”in that they show the work of the Law written in their heart’s the conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or defending them…” Romans 2:15 It is still called conscience in some circles. We can’t not know that it is there. Attempting to silence it leads to a whole host of issues and as J. Budziszewski says, ”the conscience always has its revenge.”
We are witnessing in the rapidly decaying world what it looks like to try to dismiss the truth of the heart. If man knows that abusing an innocent child is wrong why does he or she ignore the still small voice yearning to be heard? When human sexuality is defined in anyway one chooses how does one manage the nagging inner turmoil of shame and guilt that persist in the end? What happens to our hearts when we intentionally deceive others to grip tightly control we so desire?
The anger we see all around us is our fellow humans attempting to ignore the truth that one cannot not know that something is amiss. You can’t not know that taking an innocent life from this world is wrong. You can’t not know that cheating on a spouse or relationship is wrong. You can’t not know that lying to gain advantage or cover truth is wrong. The heart does not allow exceptions.
Man forever has attempted to create alternatives to try to escape the inner conflict of the still small voice. Incredible alternatives and excuses both individually and culturally to justify wrong behavior. Crazy ideas like there is a choice to end a life. That sexuality is defined by what makes me happy. That lying is necessary if the need for a new world is desired. In the end the still small voice always triumphs. When that victory is clear and the truth that it cannot be altered is clear there is either surrender to the truth or anger at the inability to maintain control.
I walk in the world where guilt and shame are extreme. Abusers attempt to cover the shame of knowing that taking advantage of a child is against all norms. Survivors of sexual abuse hide in shame believing that it was their fault that someone took advantage of them. Shame is the powerful emotion at the core that renders both perpetrators and victims helpless. Since life goes on and isolating is impractical, if not impossible, there must be an outlet for the angst that tortures the soul. The list of remedies is long. When the list is exhausted, when the search goes dry, the end is anger and despair. The truth the heart knows always remains.
It is the same culturally. The violence and riots, anger and division is growing rapidly. We can’t not know as a country that killing and abusing innocent life is wrong. We can’t not know that sexuality outside of the design of God will not bring lasting happiness. We can’t not know that lying does not create joy. The still small voice in the heart of all men knows. To surrender to it requires the loss of control. It is that control that is so difficult for all of us to relinquish. Replacing the anger requires gratitude. Thankfulness that I have been given life to appreciate. Gratefulness that I can live where freedom is applauded. That still small voice is also the spirit of God calling to us to follow him. We can’t not know that it is right.
Let’s pray for the truth of the Christ and trust in him.
“Do nothing from selfishness and empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of us treat one another as more important than himself, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave and being made in the likeness of men. An being fond in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Philippians 2:3-8