The irony is that once you turn from God to find good, the truth that we cannot bear to face is that we are the ones full of evil. For looking to anything other than God to learn goodness is the highest of evil. There is no good apart from God. And so the attractive lie that we try to deceive ourselves with is that we are good. Or we chase an ultimate good that doesn’t exist, whether in fulfilling lust, career, success, or even in a monogamous relationship.

There’s a catchy song out on the radio now called “Rumble and Sway” by Jammie N. Commons. The lyrics aren’t the most wholesome. He’s sizing up a woman and the chorus repeats:

Don’t you tell me no truths, I want only your lies.

As I heard him singing through the chorus, I thought about how true this line is for all of us. While this song is referring more to lust, often in love we really only want to hear what we want to hear, whether it’s true or not.

Think about it. Even in our everyday interactions we can’t bear to hear the unhindered truth. We all have built-in filters that hold back some of our opinions and observations about others as we speak. I’m not usually going to say, “Wow, that outfit really doesn’t fit you well.” Or, “Sometimes your personality just annoys me.” Some truths are better left unsaid. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we should lie; silence really can be golden. But there is a whole category label for when we fudge the truth a little, “Well it’s not my favorite outfit, but you look good in anything.” Or, “I don’t know why he thinks your annoying.” White lies—justified lying to make someone feel better about themselves. (This is not an endorsement of white lies, I am merely making a point.) It all makes me think about Romans 1:18, 19:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.”

We really cannot bear the truth about our spiritual state before a holy God. The fact that there is a holy God can be terrifying if we are at all honest with ourselves about our own condition. Paul states that creation witnesses to the existence of God. It should lead us to seek him out. But we don’t. We suppress the truth about his existence, or at least about the extent of his holy requirements. And we suppress the truth about our lack of holiness, our total depravity.

It’s curious. Adam and Eve fell from their sinless condition because they gave into temptation to know good from evil themselves. The irony is that once you turn from God to find good, the truth that we cannot bear to face is that we are the ones full of evil. For looking to anything other than God to learn goodness is the highest of evil. There is no good apart from God. And so the attractive lie that we try to deceive ourselves with is that we are good. Or we chase an ultimate good that doesn’t exist, whether in fulfilling lust, career, success, or even in a monogamous relationship.

Even Christians who know the truth about God and embrace his message of salvation with faith cannot bear to hear the complete truth about ourselves all at once. Sure, we confess that we are depraved, full of sin, and in need of salvation. But as we are being sanctified, God gradually reveals sin in our hearts that we have been cleverly hiding even from ourselves. In his grace, God has perfect timing to uncover our ugly truths as he prepares us by his word and his providence to see it. And we progressively learn the significance of our utter dependence on God in Jesus Christ.

As this happens the truth becomes beautiful because it glorifies our Savior. We can embrace it in complete trust. Our disgust over any kind of lie grows as we see just how far it is from our Lord.

Most of us are not honest with ourselves to admit the default song that we love to sing, “Don’t you tell me no truths, I want only your lies.” That’s why we constantly need to hear the gospel. All truth and all goodness is found in Jesus Christ. The truth about God’s justice, our condition, and the glorious mercy of our Father in heaven was revealed on a cross over 2,000 years ago. Praise God that the truth is still being faithfully delivered today. 

Aimee Byrd is a housewife and mother who attends Pilgrim Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Martinsburg, WV. She and her husband, Matt, have 3 children. She blogs at Housewife Theologian where this article  first appeared; it is used with her permission.