Why Do People Not Accept the Truth? I. Introduction. A. Discuss the value of truth. B. Especially truth in religious matters. 1. Not de-valuing in other fields. 2. Jesus emphasized its value: John 8:32. C. Men seek to be free, but often not for the right reasons. 1. Seek to be free from any restraints. 2. Seek to be free to follow own inclinations. 3. Confronted with truth and true freedom, they refuse to accept it. 4. Truth should be glorious to any person--think of eternity. 5. Remember: Galatians 4:16. D. Why, then, do so many not accept the truth? 1. Jacob did not consider himself worthy of truth: Genesis 32:10(explain). 2. How unlike most people of the present. 3. Let us consider what stands in the way of accepting God's truth today. II. Body. A. Many are (self)satisfied in error--it pleases them. 1. Truth contrasts with what they have been taught. 2. There is a certain comfort in the past and in familiar surroundings(even in one's mind). 3. Many of the Lord's day were pleased with the traditions of the elders, the Law of Moses, etc. 4. Error is easy to defend: has no basis in truth. 5. It is not error that saves one: it is truth! 6. Truth forces one to think and to change. 7. Lack of love for truth hurts most: II Thessalonians 2:10. 8. How do we reach them? a. Present the gospel plainly and forcefully. b. Expose false teaching and teachers. B. In addition to the above, people are captured by false doctrines. 1. Many believe what they want to believe, regardless(It is full of "comfort" to them). 2. Note: Romans 1:25. 3. Is there any way to count the number of lies taught in religion?(How many new ones in the last year?) 4. Reaching them: again--create dissatisfaction in them and present the truth. 5. Note: II Timothy 4:2-4. C. People put too much confidence in their feelings(emotions). 1. Paul did at one time: Acts 26:9. a. How strong, but how wrong. b. Reasoning versus feelings(emotions). 2. Some things I have a hard time reasoning about. a. Need soberness: I Thessalonians 5:8. b. A freedom from appetites and passions that corrupt reason. 3. How deal? Preach and teach truth--reason from scriptures. D. Many folks are tied to the possessions of this world. 1. Witness this case: Matthew 19:16-22. 2. One of today's problems(we have more than any previous generation). 3. Worldly possessions are subject to loss, decay, etc. 4. Ananias and Sapphira had that problem. 5. Rest assured: what you value in terms of this life--the next generation will not. 6. The real consideration: Matthew 16:26. E. A love for the world keeps many from accepting the truth(or following). 1. As Demas--left the truth: II Timothy 4:10. 2. Note: I John 2:15-17. 3. Does not have to be something wrong in itself. a. An indifferent item--but keeps one from the truth. b. Could not be a Christian because of time spent in/with fishing, golf, relatives, civic affairs, ad infinitum. c. What would I give up to please Christ? He gave His life for me! 4. A disciple: I Corinthians 13:6. 5. What approach will reach these? Must be persuaded of the truth of Matthew 6:33. III. Conclusion. A. Some did not accept truth even in presence of God's Son: John 8:45. B. But--what about me--do I accept truth--all of the truth? John 4:24.-James L. Yopp