Right Equipment

"Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,

and the ears of those who hear will listen."

Isaiah 32:3

My husband and I recently enjoyed a movie as a birthday treat and we decided to choose the 3D version of a sequel we both wanted to see.  Upon purchase of the tickets we were each handed a pair of funky glasses needed in order to experience the desired illusion of depth while viewing the film.  During the action, I tried taking off the glasses and was amazed at the contrast.  Without the glasses, the images on the screen appeared blurry and like I had double-vision.  In fact, it was hard to make out what was happening; not a pleasant experience!  As soon as I slipped the glasses back on my face, however, I was returned to the three-dimensional world and the images came to life before my eyes.

This is similar in a way to God's truths.  Without the "special tool" of God's Spirit that comes when I place my life in the hands of Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, I won't have discernment and understanding and just won't get it.  His Word will seem a bit blurry and hard to figure out.  The right equipment makes all the difference.

Heroes/Fools.  It's hard to understand why so many would revere someone who behaves so stupidly.  The beliefs of many leaders are out in left field, so far away from rational and morally acceptable thought and behavior that it boggles the mind that they are called "progressive thinkers" or followed as if they are the next great hope.  Or there are organizations that do vile things under the guise of noble or pure intentions and my stomach turns at the thought of their mission.  Or decisions are made that fundamentally change the foundation of our society and the majority blindly applaud without realizing they're praising the demise of the underpinning of a country.

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll see through the facade and be able to see the fruit exhibited in order realize the foolishness of the ungodly's actions (Isaiah 32:5).  His Spirit within me will grieve when seeing all who applaud the unprincipled who positions himself strategically in order to further his crooked agenda.  I'll mourn as the multitudes celebrate in the streets at the unthinkable.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able discern the true hero from the fool that is portrayed heroically.

True/False Teachers.  The teachings are off-base, missing the point of Jesus' true identity and His mission in coming to earth.  Instead of sticking to the truth of God's Word, these popular teachers proclaim a different message that appeals to mankind's sin nature, to the desires and passions that come naturally to the flesh.  They say what people want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).  It's always heartening and reassuring to be told I can get exactly what I want and that my wants and hopes are at the center of God's attention.

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll be able to tell when a teacher is not imparting godly wisdom and knowledge but is appealing to my sin nature, depriving me of the truth I need to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (Isaiah 32:6, 2 Peter 3:18) .  Instead of gravitating toward such teachings, I'll be repulsed and run away as fast as I can in the other direction, back to Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.  If He and His teachings are not the center, the cornerstone, the foundation, then I have no business following such nonsense.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able to discern the true teacher from the false even though they may be widely admired.

Generous/Stingy.  They use others for their own purposes and are driven by selfish ambition instead of a desire to see others grow in their faith.  They may portray themselves as being humble and noble creatures but when getting closer I find they are stingy with their time and resources, focused mainly on what is best for themselves and their own interests.  

With the discernment that is given to me when I trust in Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I'll be able to recognize the difference between a selfish motive and a God-centered one (Isaiah 32:6b-7).  While the reputation may be of one who cares, the reality could be the opposite.  Without the right equipment, however, I could get sucked into the public relations machine where I'll be sold a bill of goods.

Jesus Christ provides the right equipment to be able to discern the generous from the stingy.

As I make my way through life, I discover the lines between truth and deception can be blurry to say the least.  As the world seems to go mad, following fools as if they were heroes, false teachers like they are the best things since intermittent windshield wipers, or confusing the self-centered for the godly, I'll need to don the right equipment to be able to tell the difference.  Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, I'll receive the glasses I need to see the truth so that I can grow in my relationship with Him.  Otherwise, I'll get lost in a field of poppies where I'll fall asleep to the life-giving truth.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus, staying sensitive to the discernment He provides.

When do I fall for the deceptive messages of false teachers, ignoring the nagging, uncomfortable feeling within?

How am I unwilling to go against the crowd in order to stay true to Jesus?          

Debate

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding

but delight in airing their own opinions."

Proverbs 18:2

It happens daily in the blog-o-sphere, on news talk shows, in the political arena:  debate, expressing of opinions with minds closed and no desire to understand.  Instead, there is only an effort to win, to prevail, to succeed in debunking the opponent's argument.  This is the fool's way.

Seek to Understand.  The sign fashioned out of colorful cardstock was posted as a reminder in our kitchen for years.  "Seek to Understand."  In an effort to encourage more listening in our family, I posted this call to pay more attention to the receiving side of communication rather than to the speaking part.  Our family had reached a point where we were all so intent on being heard that no one was listening.  You can imagine the resulting discord.

Good communication requires listening.  After all, if there is no one willing to take in what is being said there is no point in saying it.  When I only spend my time trying to get my point across and little if any time in trying to get what others are saying, there is a breakdown in communication.  Many times I may fear the opposite point of view, thinking that if I listen, really listen to what others are saying, there is a danger that I could fall away from what I believe to be true, or that others within earshot could be swayed by the wrong side.  So I try to shut them down.  In reality, only the truth stands in the light of scrutiny.  Everything else will be exposed for what it is (Ephesians 5:13).

Listening, however, will reveal the deep things within the heart, the hurt that lies underneath the anger, the pain that moves people to adopt destructive and harmful viewpoints.  If I never take the time to hear others, I'll never know what drove them toward such damaging beliefs.  And one who has been heard is more likely to listen.  

When I seek to understand, I open up lines of communication that will result in a spirit of empathy and compassion that lead to mutual respect.

Change Viewpoint.  I was used to seeing my neighborhood from my own home.  The sun would rise from behind the stand of trees in the far corner of my neighbor's backyard and set behind the house across the street.  I could watch the kids walk home from school only when they passed in front of our cul-de-sac.  The sound of cars often reached my ears, but I couldn't see much traffic from my vantage point.  

When I visit my neighbor's house, however, there is a much different viewpoint.  The sun is better visible as it rises, giving her a wonderful view of the sunrise from her bedroom window.  She can also see the cars as they drive from the entrance of the neighborhood until they turn the corner or reach their destination. From her perspective, every afternoon is like a parade of kids as students of all ages make their way home after a hard day of learning.  My location is private and more secluded, while hers is ideal for people watching.

If I only stick to my only narrow point of view, I'll never be able to understand why others think the way they think.  In the same way that I couldn't understand why my friend knew which car each neighbor drove or which kids lagged and who was eager to get home until I sat on her porch for awhile, I can't understand where someone is coming from until I venture out from my own point of view. When I try to see things from their perspective, figuratively putting myself in their position, I may have a better chance at getting why they hold their own peculiar point of view.  

When I change my viewpoint, seeking to see things from my opponent's perspective, I'll gain a better understanding into what drove them to adhere to such beliefs.

Humility.  Anyone who has spent time with toddlers understands what I mean when I say, "the world doesn't revolve around you."  Youngsters naturally have the idea that they are the center of the universe and that everyone exists to cater to their needs, to adapt to their agenda and to make their dreams a reality.  Good parenting works to bring this selfish point of view into a more realistic way of seeing how the child truly fits into the scheme of things.

Sometimes, however, I tend to slip back into this immature mindset, thinking my way is the best way, or that what I have to say is most important, or that since I think I understand a certain truth, it is my duty to teach it.  Instead, I can realize that there is always room for growth and there is always something I can learn.  When I do, I'll be able to better listen as I drop my preconceptions and truly hear what is being said (Proverbs 18:13).  Otherwise, I spend most of my time preparing my next argument.

When I humble myself, I can better hear what my opponent is trying to say.

I often think debate is mostly about expertly and effectively getting my own point across.  This mindset, however, does not lead to effective communication and is called the fool's way by godly men.  Therefore, I'd walk in wisdom if I sought to understand my opponents, changed my viewpoint, and humbled myself.  In these ways, I'll enter into debate that brings light to the Truth.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to preserve my faith so I can stop trying to defend it.

When do I spend so much time trying to prove my point that I never see the hurt that lies beneath my opponent's argument?

How do I have blinders on when it comes to looking from another point of view?