--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Honest rejection of Christ, however…" description: "\"Honest rejection of Christ, however mistaken, will be forgiven and healed ... but to evade the Son of Man, to look the other way, to pretend you haven'..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/c-s-lewis-2-132_be-a-man_honest-rejection-of-christ-however-mista_832319.png" --- # Honest rejection of Christ, however mistaken, will be… ![“Honest rejection of Christ, however mistaken, will be forgiven and healed ... but to evade the Son of Man, to look the other way, to pretend you haven't noticed, to become suddenly absorbed in something on the other side of the street, to leave the receiver off the telephone because it might be He…” quote by C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/c-s-lewis-2-132_be-a-man_honest-rejection-of-christ-however-mista_832319.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/c-s-lewis-2-132_be-a-man_honest-rejection-of-christ-however-mista_832319.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b00/c-s-lewis-2-132_be-a-man_honest-rejection-of-christ-however-mista_832319.png) > “Honest rejection of Christ, however mistaken, will be forgiven and healed ... but to evade the Son of Man, to look the other way, to pretend you haven't noticed, to become suddenly absorbed in something on the other side of the street, to leave the receiver off the telephone because it might be He who was ringing up, to leave unopened certain letters in a strange handwriting because they might be from Him -- this is a different matter. You may not be certain yet whether you ought to be a Christian; but you do know you ought to be a Man, not an ostrich, hiding its head in the sand.” [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding spiritual responsibility is likened to ignoring an obvious danger; one must confront truth rather than hide. **In simple terms:** Ignore truth at your own peril. Key Takeaway Face spiritual truths directly. Themes faith responsibility truth avoidance Mood reflective serious Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - personal crisis - religious doubt - ethical decision making - public speaking Key Concepts moral courage spiritual awakening Questions to Reflect On - How do you confront uncomfortable truths? - What prevents you from acting on belief? A Different Perspective The metaphor may oversimplify complex personal struggles with faith. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be a man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-a-man/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christ Mistaken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ-mistaken-570179/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Forgiven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiven/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Handwriting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handwriting/) [Havens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/havens/) [Healed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healed/) [Hiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiding/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Honest Rejection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest-rejection-570180/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Letters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letters/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Mistaken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistaken/) [Mistaken Forgiven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistaken-forgiven-570182/) [Ostriches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ostriches/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Ought Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought-christian-570181/) [Receiver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/receiver/) [Rejection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejection/) [Rejection Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejection-christ-570178/) [Sand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sand/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) [Telephones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telephones/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [But those who chose to reject God during their lifetime on earth will be separated from him for eternity. 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It's ostrich time, where people are looking for comfort rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fricke/with-the-republicans-controlling-both-houses-of-congress-this-is-the/) [David Fricke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fricke/) > [We're ostriches and the whole world is sand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/we-re-ostriches-and-the-whole-world-is-sand/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [You might be a redneck if a full-grown ostrich has fewer feathers than your cowboy hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-a-full-grown-ostrich-has-fewer-feathers/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [I will endanger your species like an ostrich, Hold you hostage, and crazy feed you swine sausage!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/busta-rhymes/i-will-endanger-your-species-like-an-ostrich-hold-you-hostage-and/) [Busta Rhymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/busta-rhymes/) > [Gentlemen, as sure as I'm sitting here now, the result of continuation of a non-system, the ostrich-like head-in-the-sand attitude, the constant rejection of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-feinstein/gentlemen-as-sure-as-i-m-sitting-here-now-the-result-of-continuation/) [Dianne Feinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-feinstein/) > [Don't be more serious than God. God invented dog farts. God designed your body's plumbing system. God designed an ostrich. If He didn't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/don-t-be-more-serious-than-god-god-invented-dog-farts-god-designed/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [“I am she who lifts the mountains When she goes to hunt, Who wears mamba for a headband And a lion for a belt.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-farmer/i-am-she-who-lifts-the-mountains-when-she-goes-to-hunt-who-wears/) [Nancy Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-farmer/) > [Madness is the WHO staring into the abyss and denying it is there. Madness is an ostrich who sticks her head in the sand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/madness-is-the-who-staring-into-the-abyss-and-denying-it-is-there/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [I have eyes like a bullfrog, a neck like an ostrich and long, limp hair. You just have to be good to survive with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/i-have-eyes-like-a-bullfrog-a-neck-like-an-ostrich-and-long-limp-hair/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [Ostrich is a very lean meat. Bison is a very lean meat. Chicken is a very lean meat. Notice something about my favorite meats?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-guthrie/ostrich-is-a-very-lean-meat-bison-is-a-very-lean-meat-chicken-is-a/) [Arlo Guthrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-guthrie/) > [OSTRICH, n. A large bird to which (for its sins, doubtless) nature has denied that hinder toe . . . . The absence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ostrich-n-a-large-bird-to-which-for-its-sins-doubtless-nature-has/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [America cannot be an ostrich with its head in the sand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/america-cannot-be-an-ostrich-with-its-head-in-the-sand/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) ## More by C. S. Lewis > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Either Jesus is the Son of God ; or a madman or worse. But His being just a great teacher? He's not left that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/either-jesus-is-the-son-of-god-or-a-madman-or-worse-but-his-being/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [To every soul, God will look like its first love because He IS its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/to-every-soul-god-will-look-like-its-first-love-because-he-is-its/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Don't you understand anything? Isn't it absolutely essential to keep a fierce Left and a fierce Right, both on their toes and each terrified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/don-t-you-understand-anything-isn-t-it-absolutely-essential-to-keep-a/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“Really great moral teachers never do introduce new moralities: it is quacks and cranks who do that. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/really-great-moral-teachers-never-do-introduce-new-moralities-it-is/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“When He died in the Wounded World He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/when-he-died-in-the-wounded-world-he-died-not-for-men-but-for-each/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [All I am in private life is a literary critic and historian, that's my job...And I'm prepared to say on that basis if anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-i-am-in-private-life-is-a-literary-critic-and-historian-that-s-my/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [If a man is going to write on chemistry, he learns chemistry. The same is true of Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/if-a-man-is-going-to-write-on-chemistry-he-learns-chemistry-the-same/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [The first fact in the history of Christendom is a number of people who say they have seen the Resurrection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-first-fact-in-the-history-of-christendom-is-a-number-of-people/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I#pray because the need flows out of me all the time-walking and sleeping. It does not change # God - it changes me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-pray-because-the-need-flows-out-of-me-all-the-time-walking-and/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Are the gods not just?' 'Oh no, child. What would become us us if they were?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/are-the-gods-not-just-oh-no-child-what-would-become-us-us-if-they-were/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Love is more than an emotion, it is a decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/love-is-more-than-an-emotion-it-is-a-decision/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Ink is the great cure for all human ills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/ink-is-the-great-cure-for-all-human-ills/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-man-may-have-to-die-for-our-country-but-no-man-must-in-any/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [War creates no absolutely new situation: it simply aggravates the permanent human situation so that we can no longer ignore it. Human life has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/war-creates-no-absolutely-new-situation-it-simply-aggravates-the/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) [Explore all 1,190 C. S. Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) ## More Be a man quotes > [But if you will recall the history of our civil troubles, you will see half the nation bathe itself, out of piety, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-diderot/but-if-you-will-recall-the-history-of-our-civil-troubles-you-will-see/) [Denis Diderot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-diderot/) > [I closed my own jazz bar so I could be a man who can write novels as I like. I was pleased about that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/i-closed-my-own-jazz-bar-so-i-could-be-a-man-who-can-write-novels-as/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [Just leaving the brotherhood I have made at Georgia, the staff and all my coaches. They've prepared me for the real world. 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You only learn by learning what they need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-gosling/i-don-t-think-anyone-can-teach-you-how-to-be-a-man-but-a-woman-you/) [Ryan Gosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-gosling/) [Browse all 402 Be a man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-a-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Honest rejection of Christ, however mistaken, will be forgiven and healed ... but to evade the Son of Man, to look the other way, to pretend you haven't noticed, to become suddenly absorbed in something on the other side of the street, to leave the receiver off the telephone because it might be He who was ringing up, to leave unopened certain letters in a strange handwriting because they might be from Him -- this is a different matter. 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