TGIF
“They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate.
Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.”
(Amos 5:10–13 ESV)
I’m learning to be prudent.
I would love to offer my take on any one of a number of issues, but have no desire to pay the current going price for having a thoughtful and researched opinion about anything.
We don’t debate issues and facts anymore.
We take a position and demonize and vilify all those who differ.
If you happen to have some sort of prominence in social media (our otherwise), your private life and person will be the subject of manic scrutiny to shame and discredit you.
Character assassination has replaced good, old, traditional, assassination as a means of silencing the opposition.
The currency of the day is anger, whether the issues and people we are angry with have done anything in reality to merit it.
Our leaders, both in church and the political realm, are using fear to create more anger and the things they say are not always true.
We are not being informed, we are being manipulated.
No one is seeking solutions or the common good, they are seeking election, influence, and cash.
We live in a terribly and wonderfully complex world and all our issues and solutions will be terribly complex as well.
They will require thought and discernment and probably sacrifice.
We seem to be content with finding someone to blame and doing them in.
The people of God have a great advantage in such a time…the indwelling mind of God in the Holy Spirit.
We should be leading the way in bringing truth to the table and bringing all to sit at that table and find solutions.
Instead, many are leading in harshness and invective that will divide and defeat us all.
We are almost over the edge.
The people you disagree with on a given issue are not stupid, evil, or bent on the destruction of the country.
They are probably not committed to bringing about Armageddon.
They have real reasons for believing what they believe just as you do.
If we’re going to find real answers, we have to hear each other.
I would say more, but I’m choosing to be prudent…
Make your own application…
Michael, When I’ve listened to this song my mind wanders to this place and what you are seeking to achieve. It speaks to so much that is discussed here.
Erunner…amen and thank you.
whether it is ‘prudent’ or wise, you have spoken well. I’m lying low primarily because it often seems pointless to share opinion, perspective, insight, or even my experience because it falls on deaf ears. Relationship has taken a back seat to arguments and dissention. There can be no fellowship without respect & engagement–both listening and speaking. Love, the hallmark of our faith, doesn’t insist on its own way. I’m trying to learn how to do this away from the screen since real people in real time create real learning. Back to lurking–enjoy the Friday & weekend.
fil,
That was gold.
We need more gold.
Amen. “We are not being informed, we are being manipulated.”
Proverbs 17 27 “He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent…..”
not that you are a fool, no way, no how….In fact, you have a GIFT of speaking profoundly in uncovering falsehood.
” Where there are many words, transgression is unavoidable” Pro 10:19
In the immortal words of my dear friend Linda, “Opinions are like arm pits. Everyone has a couple”….. I’ll stick with that and hold my peace in most situations.
Erunner and Phil, amen and amen.
Sadly in our in house disagreements.. humility seems to get pushed out the door….
It is a tragedy when those who have put themselves in positions of ‘shepherd’ use invective and manipulation to keep their fleeting man-made kingdoms.
What is worse is seeing men who call themselves Christian leaders stand by and do nothing – or even participate in covering up sin.
For everything there is a season, a time to speak and a time to keep quiet. Michael, may God give you wisdom to know which is which. You are an inspiration.
Paige…thank you as always for the kind words.
Disillusioned…thank you as well.
it often seems pointless to share opinion, perspective, insight, or even my experience because it falls on deaf ears. Relationship has taken a back seat to arguments and dissention.
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I’ve been feeling the same way as fil…
The pendulum is about to swing the other way and it is a bit sobering to me.
We need Uniters more than ever…or this thing could really break apart…and that is not a good thing.
We are entering a VERY transformative and very dangerous period. The cracks are forming and our Current System is on the brink again….and few see how serious it is looking behind the curtain…but will in time.
“We don’t debate issues and facts anymore.
We take a position and demonize and vilify all those who differ.”
There is a strong implication that it is ungodly to engage in such discussions or that asking important critical questions without knowing all the facts, which we know is close to impossible, is futile and short sighted. The high bar that is set is actually a straw man designed to keep the status quo by men who may not have malice themselves, but have no sea legs to ride out the storm of inquiry and uncovering of vice. It is the typical “don’t rock the boats” approach.
“We take a position and demonize and vilify all those who differ.”
I don’t find this any different today than 40 years ago.
What has changed is more people have access to media where they can vent their ideas.
This blog is an example of such access.
Additionally there are millions of experts who draw people to their blogs. It’s a lot like where in “the day” each Newspaper had an ‘Editor’s Page’ and the boss could soapbox on their personal opinions. Think about the power of newspaper editors in their day and how their owners could effect change and now we have the web.
Bottom line, nothing has really changed, just the general civility of the masses.
pstrmike is a wise man