In the pursuit of truth, a grave error emerges when individuals prioritize their own desires over the pure message of God. This unrighteousness, taking pleasure in what satisfies personal whims, becomes the foundation of false teachings. People judge what they hear not by what is right and good, but by what suits them, what feels comfortable, or what upholds their status quo. They seek teachers who will affirm their desires, who will scratch their itching ears with messages that grant license to do as they please, even if it means accepting abuse or lies. This pursuit of self-gratification, rather than an objective search for truth, leads to a rejection of sound doctrine and a turning toward fables and man-made wisdom. God views this as astonishing and horrible, for it produces destruction and death, causing society to crumble through wars, famines, and disasters. When such unrighteousness peaks, the very land rejects it, unable to support immorality that defies the laws set by Him. Those who take pleasure in unrighteousness suppress the truth, mixing in their own ideas to create a religion that satisfies them, ultimately believing lies that lead to folly. Yet, the people of God, motivated to please Him and seek eternal life in His Kingdom, must stand apart, grieving as society declines, steadfast in their commitment to the unadulterated truth.

In this age of mass delusion sweeping over the Western world, especially the United States, there is a notable pleasure in unrighteousness among many. Barbara Boxer, a prominent political figure, exemplifies this by holding a false belief about former presidential candidate Ben Carson, refusing to change her stance even when corrected. Her persistence in this unrighteousness, driven by deep dislike, mirrors a broader trend where individuals and groups cling to delusions despite clear evidence to the contrary. This pleasure in unrighteousness is not isolated but is part of a larger, dangerous pattern of deception that affects entire populations, leading to potential conflict and diminished quality of life. The influence of lies, perpetuated by figures like the great Dragon who deceives the whole world generation after generation, fosters such delusions, causing many to reject truth and embrace falsehoods, as seen in the unwavering misinformed opinions held by some against God's law.

In the context of a world undergoing drastic societal shifts, there is a profound connection between modern influences and the pleasure in unrighteousness that paves the way for deception. As society changes, a generation is being rewired by constant exposure to smartphones and social media, altering their perception of reality. These young people value what they experience online as more real and important than real-life interactions, making them highly susceptible to curated lies and propaganda. This susceptibility renders them gullible and easily swayed, particularly toward lawlessness and wickedness, as they lack the developed thinking processes to discern truth from deception. This trend is evident in the forefront of various societal movements, where young people champion causes like LGBT advocacy, transgenderism, critical race theory, and wokeism, often influenced by online influencers they trust. Their always-connected lifestyle amplifies their readiness to believe what they see on screens, leading them down a path of destruction without realizing the deception at play. This aligns with the end-time scenario where unrighteous deception, described as the height of deceit, will be so powerful that it will fool almost everyone, especially those who have not received the love of the truth. Satan orchestrates this through the man of sin, using lying wonders and deceitful deception to ensure that even the deceived fail to recognize the destructive nature of total lawlessness, drawing them into embracing wickedness with a pleasure that blinds them to the truth.

Many individuals, even when aware of the pagan origins of Christmas, choose to disregard the truth and cling to their traditions. As the apostle Paul warned in II Thessalonians 2, this stems from a natural human tendency, especially evident at the end of the age, to prefer lies over truth. Paul explains that this inclination arises because they take pleasure in unrighteousness, willingly refusing to embrace the truth that exposes their errors. This pleasure in unrighteousness blinds them to the reality of their actions, allowing deceptive traditions to flourish in a materialistic world, rapidly spreading globally despite widespread knowledge of their tainted history. Such a mindset prioritizes personal satisfaction over the pursuit of truth, leading people to embrace falsehoods that initially please them rather than the truth that ultimately reveals their sins.