Articles
The Will To Disbelieve
During some of my recent recreational novel-reading, I paused at a discussion between two characters in the story. One of them was inclined to believe the rumors about the brutal mass murders of Jews by the Nazi regime of Germany during the Second World War. He wanted to be active in some way to stop the uncivilized slaughter of Jews, and other “dispensable” classes. All of his efforts, however, met with almost universal refusals to believe that such a catastrophe had been initiated behind the curtain of wartime secrecy. Unbelievers could marshal all manner of reasons why such a thing could never happen. His sympathetic friend told him that this trait was to be found even in seemingly decent people. Genocide of such magnitude was simply unthinkable. He called the trait “the will to disbelieve.”
I stopped reading, in order to consider this concept, and realized that it is truly a human trait to refuse to believe something distasteful, or shocking, or vile. I immediately thought of the statement by the Apostle Paul in describing past generations of sinners who “refused to have God in their knowledge” (Romans 1:28 ASV).
The reasons for such a refusal multiply: they think there is no “scientific” evidence of the existence of God; or they do not wish to submit to a sovereign God who demands obedience; or they cannot believe in a God who abhors and punishes sexual promiscuity; or they cannot bow to a deity who would cast people into an eternal hell. There are even some whose refusal to believe in God rests on the implausibility of a blissful, glorious, eternal residence in heaven for the righteous.
The “will to disbelieve” is self-serving for persons who resist all interference in their lives. However, God certainly desires to be accepted in our hearts. Our ability to disbelieve is evidence that God does not compel us to believe. He invites, He entreats, He pleads, but He does not force us to trust in Him and His word.
Truly, the choice to believe or disbelieve is not a choice between virtually equal benefits (like Ford, or Chevy? Buy or lease?). The word of God is truth (John 17:17), and His promises are certain (Psalm 119:89). The destinies of believers and unbelievers are very different. What God says shall be the sad and dreadful reward of the unbeliever, will certainly be so. What God says about the glorious reward of the believer will also be so. But, the person who chooses the “will to disbelieve,” because of an aversion to God’s revelations regarding good or evil is committing spiritual suicide.
Jesus tells mankind, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority” (John 7:17). The “will to disbelieve” produces bitter fruit, but the “will to do God’s will” brings joyful salvation from sin, and eternal life with God.
