Is this because we are naturally deceived?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: I’ve heard that we are living in the post-truth era, where there’s a war on truth and growing deception. This is a scary thing because while I don’t believe everything I hear or read, I see this in action. It’s very hard to know truth when you hear it. Is this because we are naturally deceived? – H.T.
A: The great quest for life has always been to find truth. Universities are filled with seekers who want to know the truth. But do they really? Often, when they find truth, they reject it because sometimes the truth hurts. So, they turn in another direction to find a truth that makes them feel better about their defiance of the truth. The Bible tells us truth: “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9, NKJV). Lies and deception have been around from the time of Adam. It is in the close similarity between good and evil, right and wrong, that the danger lies.
Jesus did not say we would know a truth; He spoke of the truth. There may be some truth in various religions and philosophies, but Jesus is all truth and the Truth. In the same way, the Bible does not contain God’s truth; the Bible is God’s truth. The psalmist declared, “The entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160).
There are those who seek freedom more than the truth. They are free to reject the truth, but the freedom they choose will not set them free. Don’t be deceived by Satan and his lies. Stay close to Christ – because the closer you are to Him, the farther away you are from the devil.
At the end of his life, Buddha said, “I am still searching for truth.” This statement could be made by countless scientists, philosophers, and religious leaders throughout history. However, only Jesus Christ made the astonishing claim: “I am ... the truth” (John 14:6, NKJV).
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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