Holding Down the Truth
Holding Down the Truth
in Unrighteousness
The first element in the source of wickedness is holding down the truth in unrighteousness (1:18). Truth is not mere doctrine or knowledge. Truth is reality; it is solid and substantial. There is reality in this universe, and the prime reality is God Himself. To say that there is no God is to speak vanity; to declare the reality of God is to speak something solid, substantial, genuine, and true. However, from the very beginning, man kind did not respect the reality of God, but held down the truth in unrighteousness, suppressing it in an unrighteous manner. The newspapers are filled with wicked and shameful things because many people will not maintain the truth, but instead, wrongfully hold it down.
Disapproving of Holding God
in Full Knowledge
Although mankind knew there was God, they tested and tried Him, eventually deciding not to hold Him in their full knowledge. They disap proved of holding God in their full knowledge (1:28). Many do not believe in Christ and dis approve of holding God in their knowledge.