Joh 3:19-20, 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
In Athens, apostle Paul addressed a very religious group, “22…Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:” (Acts 17:22-23). Paul introduced them to the true God, true worship, repentance, life in Christ, resurrection etc., and in vs 32 “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked…” it’s interesting that out of those who were religious, only a number received the message of the gospel.
Why is it hard for men to come to the light? Because sinners love their sin and do not want to be exposed. That is the case Paul makes in Rom 1:18-3:20 as to why the wrath (anger) of God is revealed, it is because men love darkness. Men suppress the truth in unrighteousness (wickedness). This brings to reality that “we are not sinners because we sin, but rather we sin because we are sinners”. That is our nature, it started with Adam (original sin) and it has impacted us all and our only hope is the last Adam.