Derangement Then and Now: Standing on Truth When the World Calls It Treason

Text: John 8:32 – “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Truth — in the Greek, alētheia — means reality as it actually is. It’s not an opinion, not a spin, not a cultural fad. It’s God’s reality, unhidden and unchangeable.

Introduction: Church, I was born in Selma, Alabama, in 1952 and raised in Camden, right in the thick of the Civil Rights era. I grew up hearing and seeing a narrative that shaped my world before I even knew I was being shaped.

In my neighborhood, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wasn’t painted as a hero — he was portrayed as a troublemaker, a danger, a divider. This wasn’t whispered in corners — it was spoken from pulpits, reinforced in classrooms, and echoed around dinner tables. That mindset was so strong, I call it King Derangement Syndrome.

And hear me — it wasn’t just about race. It was about controlling the narrative. It was about ensuring that the “truth” we heard was already packaged, approved, and enforced by those who held power. If you dared to think differently, you risked being ostracized, ridiculed, or outright silenced.

Fast forward to today — we see the same machinery running under a different label. Now they call it Trump Derangement Syndrome. The target has changed, but the tactic remains the same.

Pick a figure, define them as the ultimate threat, repeat it until it becomes “common knowledge,” and then make anyone who questions the story into the real danger.

Whether it was the South in the 1960s or America in the 2020s, the spirit is the same — redefine truth so it fits the moment, and punish those who hold to God’s absolutes.

Biblical Principle 1: Truth Is Not Situational

Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.”

The word woe in Hebrew (hôy) is not casual — it’s a prophetic warning of judgment. Then, segregationists called injustice “order.” Today, the woke call immorality “justice.” The Bible says God Himself pronounces judgment on any culture that flips truth upside down.

Biblical Principle 2: The World Hates Unchanging Truth

Galatians 4:16 – “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?”

Paul knew exactly what it felt like to be treated as an enemy for speaking God’s truth. In the 60s, anyone who stood with Dr. King faced the same hostility. Today, anyone who stands against the woke narrative faces cancel culture, job loss, and public shaming. The reason hasn’t changed — truth unmasks lies, and lies fight back.

Biblical Principle 3: Thinking for Yourself Is Biblical

Acts 17:11 – “They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

The word searched — anakrinō in Greek — means to investigate, to question, to test for accuracy. God never told us to turn our brains off and nod to every voice of authority. Whether it comes from the pulpit, the press, or the political stage, every word should be weighed against God’s Word.

Personal Application:

When I was young, the “right thing” according to society was often the wrong thing in God's eyes. And if I had simply swallowed what I was told, I would have lived and died believing a lie. Today, the “right side of history” is often the wrong side of eternity.

God’s Word gave me the courage to think, to challenge, and to weigh every claim by His truth. And I’m here to tell you — that courage is needed now more than ever.

Closing Call: Whether it’s 1965 or 2025, the truth hasn’t changed because God hasn’t changed. The world will tell you that standing against the approved narrative is treason. Heaven calls it obedience.

Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” 

Truth will cost you, but selling it will cost you far more.

So stand firm.

Stand gracious.

Stand unshakable.

Prayer: Lord, throughout time, there have always been voices attempting to substitute Your truth with human opinions.

Grant us the bravery of Isaiah, the conviction of Paul, and the discernment of the Bereans.

Help us to evaluate every word, movement, and leader against Your Word. When the world labels truth as treason, remind us that our foremost citizenship is in Heaven.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Terry

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