The Hatred of God in the Human Heart
The human heart's tendency to rage against God when faced with the consequences of its own sin is a common theme in the Bible.
William MacDonald addresses the theme of human folly and its consequences, emphasizing how individuals often blame God for the ruin brought upon themselves by their own sinful choices. He illustrates this with examples of those who, after falling into immorality, turn against their faith and God instead of repenting. MacDonald highlights that apostasy frequently stems from moral failure, and that the hatred of God in the human heart is often a response to the light that exposes sin. He concludes that the reluctance to accept God's truth is deeply rooted in moral issues rather than intellectual doubts.
Text
Â"When a manÂ's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.Â" (Prov. 19:3, RSV)
There is no book on psychology like the Bible. It gives insights on human behavior that you cannot find in any other place. Here, for instance, it describes a man whose own waywardness wrecks his life, yet rather than shoulder the blame himself, he turns around and vents his spleen on the Lord.
How true to life! We have known people who made a profession of being Christians but who then became involved in vile forms of sexual immorality. This brought them to shame, disgrace and financial ruin. But would they repent? No, they turned against Christ, renounced the faith, and became militant atheists.
More often than we probably realize, apostasy has its roots in moral failure. A. J. Pollock told of meeting a young man who began to spew out all kinds of doubts and denials concerning the Scriptures. When Pollock asked him, Â"What sin have you been indulging in?Â" the young man broke down and poured out a lurid story of sin and indecency.
The gross injustice lies in manÂ's perverse way of raging against the Lord for the consequences of his own sins. W. F. Adeney said, Â"It is monstrous to charge the providence of God with the consequences of actions which He has forbidden.Â"
How true it is that Â"everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved,Â"(John 3:20)! The Apostle Peter reminds us that scoffers Â"walking after their own lustsÂ" are Â"willingly ignorantÂ". Pollock comments, Â"This brings out a most important truth that the inability and reluctance to receive the truth of God is very largely because of what is moral. Often a man wants to go on with his sin, or the flesh has a natural dislike to God. Maybe the searching character of the light, and the restraining influence of the Bible are resented. It is not the head that is so much at fault as the heart.Â"
Sermon Outline
- The Human Heart's Reaction to Consequences
- A man's folly brings ruin, and he rages against the Lord
- Examples of moral failure leading to apostasy
- The gross injustice of blaming God for consequences of sin
Key Quotes
“When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.” — William MacDonald
“It is monstrous to charge the providence of God with the consequences of actions which He has forbidden.” — William MacDonald
“Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved,” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Recognize the tendency to blame God for the consequences of your own sin and take responsibility for your actions.
- Understand that moral failure often leads to apostasy and a resistance to God's truth.
- Let the searching character of God's light and the restraining influence of the Bible guide you towards repentance and a deeper relationship with God.