While microchips get smaller, so do our brains.
A small portion of the population studies distant planets, while the lion’s share of Homo sapiens struggles to think critically. In other words, we are progressively getting dumber.
By now, you are either irritated with me or just flat-out disagree.
This is where I kindly challenge you, before and/or after I duck, to take a stab at the typical homework of a 17th-century colonial first grader, if you can get past the instructions.
In fact, we’re so dumb that a theory claiming we are becoming more complex continues to gain dominance in both media and academia, while we can physically observe the exact opposite taking place in real time.
What’s the point of all this doom and gloom, you ask?
If you agree that the above is true, the point and title of this article will not seem so nit-picky. In fact, it provides an overarching principle for why we should think about everything we say and do while correcting the uncovered unpleasantness that casually spreads nonsense to believers and nonbelievers alike.
Now, before you cry legalism, let me make something clear. Hopefully, ultra-clear.
The wrongful, yet providential, death of the only perfect man, who was also God, to ever walk this earth covers the grievous sins of those who, by His grace, have faith in Him.
Sins like murder, sexual perversion and stealing.
So, of course, we can rest assured knowing that if we have participated in any of the stupidity outlined below, that too is covered.
That being said, being forgiven does not mean we shouldn’t at least attempt to clean up our act.
If you’re still with me, and you consider yourself a follower of Christ, put down those tomatoes and consider removing the following three phrases from your conversation.
1. “Good Luck”
There is no such thing as good luck.
Which, by the way, is great news because that means there is also no such thing as bad luck.
There are most definitely people who appear to be more fortunate than others, but luck has nothing to do with it.
Nature, time and objects have no power over us or anything else (Colossians 1:16-18). Everything is held together by Christ Himself (Colossians 1:17).
If God is sovereign, then “luck” is not an invisible force sitting beside Him, occasionally sneaking into the control room.
2. “Mother Earth”
While Eve may be the “mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20), the earth itself is merely a giant dirt clod.
Granted, it is a beautifully and carefully placed dirt clod.
Earth has the right amount of water, oxygen, plants and animals to support us. Earth is a gift, and it is amazing.
However, earth is not my mother. Or yours.
Earth and everything within it can and does act as a general revelation of God (Romans 1:20). Even atheists can see the effects sin has had and continues to have.
This is why so many people ask, “If there’s a God, why is there evil in the world?”
The world around us most certainly echoes with beauty, but don’t be fooled. The earth is scarred by sin (Genesis 3:17-18).
I suggest you stop referring to nature as though it has a will or power over you (Genesis 1:28).
Nature is a creation created by the Creator (Genesis 1-2). Nature is subject to God (Nehemiah 9:6).
In the beginning was God.
Before creation, there was no nature, no earth and no mother.
Lifting nature up is a perfect example of worshiping the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
3. “What Goes Around Comes Around”
This isn’t just a cute way to encourage a friend who is complaining about the wrong he or she has experienced.
It’s the English Standard Version of karma.
Besides yoga pants, this is probably the best example of syncretism within American culture.
I’m not simply suggesting we should skip-sync a certain portion of a Justin Timberlake song.
I am talking about completely eradicating an unbiblical theory of cause and effect rooted in several popular “isms” found across Asia.
The idea says that doing a good deed for someone else will eventually cause a good deed to come back to you. It says the opposite happens with bad deeds.
That isn’t just wrong. It is foundational to a worldview that will leave you devastated and hopeless for eternity.
Perhaps this saying has infiltrated our culture, and worse, Christendom, because it seems reasonable on the surface. Maybe even logical.
It may even sound similar to one of Jesus’ own teachings, often called the Golden Rule by secular humanists, I mean kindergarten teachers, in lieu of citing the source.
On a side note, a teacher not citing a source seems like a bad way for a student to begin his or her academic pilgrimage.
Using this catchy phrase to console or admonish people incorrectly puts justice into the hands of creation rather than the only perfect Judge who has always existed.
The only things that will for sure come around are the things God Himself said would in His Word.
From Mindless to Mindful
It’s true. Those of us who have put our faith in Christ have been liberated from the bondage of sin.
It’s also true that we have freedom in Christ.
I fail to see how that becomes justification for bad stewardship or a pass to be irresponsible with our words.
Conversation is an opportunity for others to hear the truth, the kind of truth that changes hearts and ultimately changes destinations.
My goal isn’t to be negative or nit-picky. It’s to help us move from the mindless to the mindful.
Thoughtful and careful stewardship of our words has the ability to honor God, or do the opposite.
By God’s grace, we can and should do better.
We’ve been given a body, a brain and a mouth. Let’s use those gifts wisely.
This is not a burden. It’s an act of worship.