Jump Start # 3864
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
I saw a quote the other day that is more true than I wish it was. It said that some people’s thinking is just like concrete: thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. It doesn’t seem to matter what facts, evidence or proof that is presented to them, they refuse to believe anything you say. And, once that concrete hardens, it is hard. We had a sidewalk replaced some time ago. What a mess getting the old concrete out. Jack hammers, smoke, dust and a whole crew of people working hard. And, unfortunately there is no such thing as a mental jack hammer. Some really need it but it just won’t happen.
This is why the wisdom literature warns about arguing with a fool and why our Lord said not to cast pearls before swine. There are reasons why some have become so stubborn in their thinking.
First, some do not want to change. Even if change brings a better life, some do not want that. They don’t want to acknowledge that they were wrong. They do not want to put forth the effort to change. They would rather remain as they are, even in misery and complain, than to ever change. Life could be better. The way they live is not the way that the Lord intended. Yet, like that hard concrete, they will never, ever change.
Second, some are convinced that they are right and you are wrong and it will remain that way no matter what is said. You can’t get them to see otherwise. Although facts, logic and proof are not on their side, they remain with foolish and dumb ideas. For many, they just repeat what they have heard others say. Even though what is said is inconsistent and doesn’t make sense, they will not give up their position.
This is true in politics. This is true in religion. Beginning any discussion with the conclusion that the other person is wrong, period, leads one to ridiculous and silly consequences. In many ways, the blind lead the blind, as our Lord said.
Reading comments on Facebook posts reveals who is repeating false ideas that they have not thought out and one who has never done any background homework on their own. Crazy things are said about Jesus and the Bible from those who have not read the Bible. What they say makes no sense and it shows how distorted their concepts are.
The difficulty in this is when someone in our family or a good friend has the mind of set concrete. You can talk to them all day long and nothing happens. You can scream, threaten, shout, and they still won’t get it. These kind of things drives righteous people crazy. Rather than working yourself up into a real storm, give them to the Lord. Pray about it and them. Be the example you are supposed to be. But in the end, they will believe what they want to believe, even when it is false, dumb and ridiculous. There are growing numbers who believe that there was a massive flood on Mars, but won’t accept the flood of Genesis. There are a vast number of people who believe in creatures from outer space rather than in believing in the living God.
Sometimes you just have to let a person go with their thinking, even though you know it’s wrong and warped. You can’t do much with hard concrete or with a set mind.
Third, we must make sure that our hearts remain pliable and molded by the word of God. If you ever got the Play-Doh out but didn’t get a lid on tight, the next time you get it out you’ll find that it is hard like a rock. Our hearts can be like that. Some people won’t forgive even if you paid them. Some won’t serve no matter what the need is.
Our hearts must be touched by the word of God. Our songs, our prayers, our reading of God’s word ought to shape us and mold us to being more and more like the Savior. Set in our ways is not a good place to be. And, when two heads butt against each other, both stubborn in their own ways, usually hurt feelings and often a division follows. Unwilling and unable to apologize and forgive can sure harden the heart very quickly. Cold, indifferent attitudes can kill a church faster than error.
Set in your ways and simply following the Savior are not the same things. Know the difference and keep that lid on the Play-Doh of your heart.
Roger