Wicked People Think Truth Is Harmful

Note from today’s Bible reading: Jeremiah 36-40

Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem, “This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it” (Jeremiah 38:3). Because of this, he told them the only way they could be spared was to leave the city and surrender to the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 38:2).

The officials of King Zedekiah did not like this message. They told the king that Jeremiah was “discouraging the men of war” and that he was “not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm” (Jeremiah 38:4). Therefore, they asked for Jeremiah to be “put to death” (Jeremiah 38:4). After receiving the king’s permission, they put Jeremiah down in a well and left him there (Jeremiah 38:5-6).

It is important to understand that Jeremiah was not just offering his opinion when he advised the people to surrender. He was declaring the word of the Lord to them (Jeremiah 38:2). Survival would mean going into Babylonian captivity. This was not popular, but it was the truth. Yet to the officials, it was harmful to the people. This same thinking exists among wicked people from every generation, including today. Because the word of God does not allow them to live as they please, it is offensive to them.

So remember that wicked people think truth is harmful. For this reason, they may oppose us for teaching the truth and try to turn others against us. Yet we must not compromise our convictions but continue to stand for God’s word no matter what.