Most media outlets profess to “seek the truth.” But that is a deep-seated deception.

Here is God’s evaluation of human nature: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient [or, that are shameful]” (Romans 1:28). People “did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” Result? Now they have reprobate minds.

Thayer’s Lexicon defines reprobate as “not standing the test, not approved; properly of metals and coin.” Some metals are inadequate to be used as coins. Man’s carnal mind has repeatedly proved itself faulty and deficient, not standing the test—absolutely unable to govern other men.

The only question is, when will we learn this lesson? Before nuclear holocaust, or after?

Of course, men believe their own minds are just fine. That is why we are on the verge of destroying all human life (Matthew 24:21-22). How can God help people recognize the truth? He must convince man by words, or by man’s own self-inflicted disasters—or not at all. Man is going to have to experience the fruits of his own twisted reasoning! This is the lesson God is teaching mankind today—through suffering. This is a painful way to learn.

Man doesn’t understand “the plague of his own heart” (1 Kings 8:38). The Prophet Jeremiah said: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Nothing can compare with the deceit within our hearts! But man is too deceived to believe the truth about his own mind!

This deceit within man’s thoughts and feelings is very dangerous. Man’s capacity for evil seems endless. His mind is “desperately wicked,” though most men disagree with God’s evaluation.

What is the solution? “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (verse 10). Only God understands the sickness of the human mind.

Every man and woman on Earth desperately needs the mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5). Without that, our minds are inadequate to prepare us for God’s Kingdom—unfit to fulfill God’s incredible plan for man. Receiving the mind of Christ is our only hope. Only then will man be fit for God’s great calling.

What unparalleled suffering we could prevent by learning this lesson quickly!

Most people believe human beings are essentially good. This grievous error brings untold suffering. The truth is that “the carnal mind [the natural mind of man] is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). The carnal mind is enmity against God—hostile to God’s law.

Before mankind can find the truth, they must understand and remove their hostility toward God.

Even religious people twist God’s Word and try to do away with God’s law rather than submit to it. This is how tragically deceived the human mind is!

We must conquer that hostility by keeping God’s law. That is how we build God’s character. Then we can solve our problems and have real “life and peace” (verse 6). Failing here is why humanity is so miserable and unhappy today.

Christ taught this lesson when He was on Earth, but men rejected it. “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:10-13). The greatest deceit in the world today is the deceit about Jesus Christ. Why is that? Because for men to accept Christ, they must first admit they are sick—in need of a physician, spiritually. Both the religious and secular worlds refuse to do this.

That is why the number one problem we face today is human annihilation. Only very sick minds could fail to see that God is our only hope! Mankind is terminally ill.

The good news is that there is a Physician with a cure. How much suffering will be necessary before we seek the real Jesus Christ?