Throughout history, there has been a fundamental tension between God’s reality—the eternal, unchanging truth—and man’s reality, which is often shaped by pride, ignorance, and fleeting desires. When individuals and societies stray from divine truth, they inevitably face consequences, as Aldous Huxley warns:
“Reality cannot be ignored except at a price; and the longer the ignorance is persisted in, the higher and more terrible becomes the price that must be paid.”
Huxley’s insight aligns with spiritual wisdom across many traditions, emphasizing that ignoring fundamental truths leads to suffering. Let’s explore this concept in detail.
God’s Reality: The Unchanging Truth
God’s reality represents objective truth—moral absolutes, spiritual laws, and divine wisdom. This reality is not subject to human opinion or cultural trends. Some key aspects include:
- Moral Laws: Principles such as honesty, justice, love, and humility are not arbitrary but built into the fabric of existence.
- Spiritual Order: God’s reality governs life beyond material existence, emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul.
- Accountability: Actions have consequences, both in this life and beyond, reinforcing the idea that morality is not relative.
Biblical teachings, such as in Proverbs 3:5-6, urge humanity to trust in God’s wisdom rather than leaning on personal understanding.
Man’s Reality: The Illusion of Control
Man’s reality is often shaped by pride, materialism, and the illusion that human beings can define truth for themselves. This can be seen in:
- Relativism: The belief that truth is subjective and morality is fluid leads to confusion and decay.
- Materialism: Pursuing wealth and pleasure above spiritual growth results in emptiness and corruption.
- Hubris: When societies place human reason above divine wisdom, they erode the moral fabric that sustains civilization.
An example from history is the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), where humanity’s attempt to build a world without God led to its downfall.
The Consequences of Ignoring God’s Reality
Huxley warns that ignoring reality comes at a price. When people reject divine truth, the consequences may not be immediate, but they are inevitable and often severe:
Individual Consequences
- Loss of Purpose: Without acknowledging divine truth, life becomes directionless.
- Moral Decay: Justifying immoral behavior leads to guilt, anxiety, and destruction.
- Spiritual Blindness: The further one drifts from God, the harder it becomes to recognize truth.
Societal Consequences
- Cultural Collapse: Societies that abandon moral absolutes often descend into chaos.
- Injustice and Corruption: Without divine guidance, leaders and institutions become self-serving.
- Decay of Family and Community: The rejection of God’s order weakens family structures and societal bonds.
History shows that great civilizations—such as Rome—declined when they abandoned spiritual and moral foundations.
Returning to God’s Reality
While the consequences of ignoring reality can be severe, restoration is always possible through repentance and alignment with divine truth. Steps toward restoration include:
- Humility: Acknowledging human limitations and seeking God’s wisdom.
- Faith and Obedience: Living by divine principles rather than personal desires.
- Moral Responsibility: Upholding truth, integrity, and justice in all aspects of life.
Biblical examples, such as Nineveh’s repentance in the Book of Jonah, demonstrate that societies can be spared from destruction when they return to God.
Conclusion: The High Cost of Ignoring Truth
Huxley’s warning serves as a reminder that the further we stray from God’s reality, the more severe the consequences. Whether on an individual or societal level, ignoring divine truth leads to suffering. However, wisdom, faith, and humility allow for realignment with God’s eternal truth, bringing healing, peace, and purpose.
The choice is always before us: Do we align with divine reality, or do we persist in illusion until the cost becomes unbearable?
