A second method employed by the devil to silence the truth is to lead people, whether they believe it or not, to simply ignore the truth. James addressed this tendency on the part of mankind: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (Jas. 4:17). The best way to resist the devil is by walking faithfully with God (Jas. 4:7-8). Ignoring that truth will automatically result in sin, and the ultimate consequence of sin is death (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:14-15). When a person ignores the teachings of scripture and lives a sinful lifestyle, the devil will be successful in leading that soul to eternal condemnation.
A third way to silence the truth is by openly, vociferously campaigning against it. Truth sheds light on, and exposes, the darkness of sin and the depravity of immorality. The light of truth makes a great many people uncomfortable in their lifestyle of sin. They don’t want to give up the sin, they simply want the truth to be silenced. As a result, they speak out loudly against the truth, they criticize and denigrate anyone who teaches truth that would expose their sin. In some cases teaching the truth on a matter can be- has been- made illegal. Such was essentially the case with Jeremiah during much of his ministry. Today, in a number of nations it is illegal to openly teach the Bible. In our own nation, there are continual attempts to pass laws that would make it illegal to teach the truth from God’s word on a number of issues.
The warning is clear: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20). We must be alert and aware. All that is needed for evil to prevail is for the righteous to do nothing. The truth will set us free, but the truth needs to be upheld and taught in order for its greatest effect to be realized. As Christians and the church we are to be guardians and communicators of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Let us always vigorously fulfill that role and never allow the devil to succeed in silencing the truth…