Category: Culture (Page 1 of 9)

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinions.

Ain’t that the truth!

How many people do you know who talk, talk, talk and never really listen? My friend likens the art of conversation to a tennis match. A good listener volleys the dialogue back and forth, asking questions and seeking to understand. A bad partner shoots words at you like a Tommy gun.

Spend a few minutes on social media and you’ll experience a gleeful lack of understanding, coupled with the bald-faced expressing of opinions. Fools-a-plenty roam the digital space.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Now here’s a better way. When you keep quiet you avoid lots of foolish issues. This applies to both our regular interactions and our social media usage.

In many cases, saying nothing pays off.

Proverbs 18:12 & Proverbs 21:23 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Steve Johnson

Sitting outside at a dinner party the conversation turned toward the challenges faced by modern educators (some present) and medical professionals (also present). My friends are experts working among young people who face heightened feelings of loneliness and depression, along with tremendous pressures in the area of gender and sexuality.

Experts disagree on how to help a young person process and work through gender confusion. However, the ability to hold a meaningful conversation about their disagreements rarely exists. In many situations to push against the prevailing notions of care is to be labeled a hater and face expulsion from your place of work. Despite the pressure, the folks around the table do what they can, when they can, to best serve those under their care.

I thought of this conversation when I read Paul this morning. Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.

Current wisdom opens the door to every possible sexual expression. Current wisdom pushes you toward doing whatever you want whenever you want. Current wisdom prizes individualism above all virtues. Current wisdom kicks God to the therapeutic and places self at the center of the universe.

Current wisdom is foolishness in God’s sight.

It’s also written the Lord catches the wise in their craftiness. The wisdom of the world, regardless of the shouting, disappoints in the end. Power turns on those who yield it to exclude and harm. Prevailing notions either fade or lead to tragedy.

What remains? The wisdom of God introduced by Jesus Christ and illumined by the Holy Spirit through the words of the Bible. No other source of wisdom stands close.

Hold to the Good Book and keep the faith.

I Corinthians 3 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez

Isaiah records a fascinating judgement from the Lord on the people of Jerusalem and Judah:

I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.

People led by inexperienced leaders too young for the job are in for a rough ride. Pay attention to politics or businesses or churches or non-profits long enough and you’ll see this play out.

Now contrast that thought with the perspective fostered by current western culture. Perhaps you recognize this song lyric—I believe that children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way.

Do I really want to be led by a child?

One of the tragedies of our day is the proliferation of young influencers via social media. These youth encourage their peers to buy expensive products or live unique lifestyles or treat people in certain ways, always with a focus on themselves. An unprecedented flood of narcissism flows from influencer to subscriber who drink deeply, poisoning their soul in the process. I’m reminded of Jesus’s warning—when the blind lead the blind, both end up in the ditch.

So much better to promote older, wiser, patient leaders. I know I need older, wiser, patient friends and mentors. We should encourage the older, wiser, patient among us to speak and not go quietly into the night.

One more thought. Whenever possible, we must match the members of our youngest generations with the members of our oldest generations. That way the truly worthy influencers will have their say.

Isaiah 3 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Steve Gale