Understanding Why People Suppress God’s Truth and Why the Gospel Matters for Everyone
Introduction
Romans 1:18 says, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” That’s a mouthful, but what does it really mean? Put simply, Paul is making the point that everyone, deep down, knows something about God. God has made His presence and power obvious—just look around at nature, the universe, and even your own conscience. Still, instead of embracing this truth, people often push it away, ignore it, or twist it to fit their own wants. Paul says this isn’t just a minor mistake; it’s a big deal that separates us from God and shows why we all need help that only the gospel can give.
What Does “Holding the Truth in Unrighteousness” Mean?
Think of it like this: You know you should eat healthy, but you pretend not to know, reach for the chips, and tell yourself “it’s fine.” Similarly, “holding the truth in unrighteousness” means knowing what’s right and true about God but choosing to ignore, cover up, or even deny it because it clashes with how you want to live. It’s not about not having enough information. It’s about having the truth but choosing to suppress it.
· People have a natural awareness of God through their own thoughts and the world around them.
· Suppression happens because what God wants often conflicts with our own desires.
· This isn’t just ignorance—it’s a choice to look the other way even when you know better.
Why Do People Suppress God’s Truth?
At the core, it’s about wanting to be in charge of our own lives. If we admit God is real and has standards, we’re faced with the choice to live by them. That often means giving up things we want, or admitting we’re not the highest authority. Many people would rather live for themselves than recognize something bigger—God—who has a claim on how we live.
· We don’t want to give up control or change our ways.
· We want to make our own rules and chase after what feels good for us.
· We avoid giving God credit or thanks for our blessings.
How Do People Suppress the Truth?
There are a few main ways people hold back or cover up what they know is true about God:
Denying or Twisting the Truth
Some claim God doesn’t exist, or they reinterpret spiritual truths to avoid responsibility. Others might act religious but live in a way that ignores God’s commands. This can look like:
· Atheism or strict naturalism (insisting there’s nothing beyond the physical world, despite evidence to the contrary).
· Philosophies that explain away the spiritual side of life to avoid moral accountability.
· Hypocrisy—claiming to follow God but living the opposite way.
Living for Self Instead of God
Suppression isn’t just about what we think—it’s also about how we live. When people consistently choose their own way over God’s, it shows they’ve sidelined His truth. This might mean:
· Regularly doing what you know is wrong without caring or trying to justify it.
· Making personal pleasure, comfort, or success the most important thing in life.
· Ignoring God’s call to love, serve, and worship Him.
Neglecting Our Responsibilities
Sometimes, holding back the truth can be seen in the things we don’t do—like refusing to help others, show gratitude, or act justly. We know what’s right, but we choose comfort or self-interest instead.
· Failing to thank or honor God for the good things in life.
· Not acting with love, justice, or compassion toward others.
· Turning away from chances to do good or live better.
What Happens When We Suppress the Truth?
Paul says that the consequence is nothing less than God’s wrath. That sounds harsh, but in context, it means that when we knowingly reject God, we cut ourselves off from the source of life and goodness. This leads to a downward spiral:
Separation from God
Choosing to suppress the truth means we become distant from God’s love, guidance, and blessings. We can feel empty, lost, or spiritually “dead” because we aren’t connected to the One who gives meaning and purpose.
Darkening of Mind and Heart
When we keep saying no to God, it gets harder and harder to say yes. Our ability to tell right from wrong, or to sense what’s truly good, starts to fade. We become more open to empty philosophies or harmful behaviors.
· We lose our sense of right and wrong.
· We become more focused on idols—things like money, pleasure, or even ourselves—than on God.
· We fall into patterns that damage us and those around us.
Universal Need for the Gospel
Paul isn’t saying only some people suppress the truth—everyone does it in some way. Whether we grew up knowing God’s laws (like many Jews) or just had the natural witness of creation and our conscience (like Gentiles), we’ve all fallen short. That means we all need something we can’t get for ourselves: forgiveness and a fresh start.
· God’s truth is clear to everyone, but everyone turns away in some form.
· We can’t fix this by just trying harder or doing good things—our problem runs too deep.
· Only God’s grace, through Jesus, offers a solution that actually works.
The Big Exchange: Idolatry
When we suppress the truth, we exchange worship of the real God for something less—idolatry. That might mean literal idols, or it might just mean making anything (like career, relationships, or even ourselves) more important than God.
· We put other things in God’s place, hoping they’ll satisfy us—but they never do.
· This “exchange” leads not only to spiritual emptiness but to all kinds of unhealthy behaviors and attitudes.
Why Does the Gospel Matter?
Paul’s main point is that the only way out of this mess—the only way to truly know God, be made right, and live as we were meant to—is through the good news of Jesus. We can’t earn our way back to God or fix ourselves. But God offers grace: undeserved love and help that restores us, forgives us, and brings us into real relationship with Him.
· The gospel shows us our need and God’s solution.
· It’s not about being perfect—it’s about admitting our need and trusting Jesus to do what we can’t do ourselves.
Conclusion
“Holding the truth in unrighteousness” isn’t just a religious phrase—it’s a reality that affects everyone. It’s a choice to ignore, resist, or distort what we know is right and true about God. But that’s not the end of the story. The good news is that God doesn’t leave us stuck—He reaches out with grace, offering forgiveness and a new start to anyone who’ll accept it. If we’re willing to turn to Him, let go of the lies and self-focus, and embrace what’s real, we’ll find the truth that sets us free.
Let’s not be people who suppress what’s true. Instead, let’s open our hearts to God’s reality, receive His grace, and live in the light He’s given us. That’s the path to true freedom, peace, and purpose.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 