When Knowledge Puffs Up

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16

Everyone values knowledge. And the more we get, the better we feel about ourselves, or feel we are better equipped to share Christ, or give eloquent oratory on our doctrinal points etc. So it feels pretty good to put down a thick book on a hotly debated theological topic. And of course we want to do something with all that info. 

"Biblical knowledge and accurate theology are valuable traits. Right thinking leads to right living, just as stinking thinking leads to stinking living. But as valuable as biblical knowledge is, I think it should come with a warning label. The fact is, the more we know, the more we're tempted to look down on people who don't know what we know." ~Accidental Pharisees~Larry Osborne

As we live the Christian life, we are always in search of "what is it God wants me to do?" But we often pass over one of the most vital and repeated commands of God's: "Love your neighbor", "love with abandon","if you do everything except love, you are nothing."  So while we pursue sound doctrine, we must do so with love, seeking peace where it is possible, remembering that when in doubt, love trumps.

"Let's be honest. Most of the biblical and doctrinal points that we love to argue about (and take such pride in knowing) are not matters of salvation. They may be important, but they are not essential. They're not damnable heresies....when we use the Bible as a prop, every issue and doctrinal disagreement becomes a flash point, an opportunity to show off our superior knowledge and understanding, a way to set us apart. We forget that pride and a lack of love nullifies our knowledge, even if it's a full and complete understanding of all the mysteries in the Bible." ~Accidental Pharisees ~Larry Osborne

Tune My Heart: Looking at the Influence of Music: Part 2

So, if it is our goal as Christians to bring about cultural change and re-establish godly morals, how does it do any good for us to flirt with the world's offspring? I'm not just thinking about music.  Movies, dress, speech, books, how you spend your time; it all goes.  

I've observed that what seems to drive us to listen to inappropriate messages in music is peer pressure. 

"Because music comes from a fallen race, it can convey fallen feelings and concepts, and sin." Jeff Pollard

Yeah it's hard being a Christian. It's easy to let ourselves think that small compromises aren't harmful. That we can listen to songs about immoral living without becoming part of it. Because we are good kids who were raised the right way. 

But familiarity desensitizes. 

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

 Think of what entertainment in general does to you. It's a distraction. You momentarily forget about everything. What if our love for worldly music is Satan's way of diverting our gaze from the mission in front of us? Do you think Satan exploits our love of music and entertainment? I certainly do.

                               "Friendship with the world is enmity with God." James 4:4

Do you think our entertainment-crazed world can be capable of distracting us from the dominion mandate? Distraction is, perhaps, more deadly to our pursuit of holiness than anything. It pulls us away from a fervent seeking after God, but not enough that we feel we're in danger. Distraction breeds mediocrity--the worst brand of Christianity.

"Music does not control us. Or make us do things against our will. The emotion of music can stir us to heights, or to filthy passions. Music is not an evil force, it is your heart that is evil." Jeff Pollard

The ultimate question we should be asking is "What kind of musical experience should I be having while considering God's precepts?" Jeff Pollard

The Titus Impact

"In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, pure, good homemakers, and submissive to their husbands, so that God's message will not be slandered."Titus 2: 3-5

I am blessed to be surrounded by older women who gracefully fulfill their roles as wise, Titus 2 mentors.

As young women desiring to be prepared for life and hopefully wives, mothers and home-keepers, it is vital for us to have not just godly influences, but women who are not afraid to actively mentor us in our walk towards being a Proverbs 31 woman. But in this culture, godly mentors for girls are few and far between. And while our mothers are our primary mentors, even they need support from other older women.

Older women shake their heads at the foolishness of young women around them, but do they own some of the fault from a lack of teaching?

It speaks volumes to me that my elders are open to sharing their wisdom. It is wonderful to know I can walk up to any woman in my church family and I know they will humbly, but firmly give me a kind answer to my questions of life.

But some might ask "What if I'm not cut out for mentoring young girls?" I do not view the women above me as specifically aiming to mentor me. They are merely doing what is laid out in Scripture. It teaches us so much simply when you are living out your lives according to what Scripture commands. When you embrace the virtues of Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 we look up to that.

"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…" Titus 2:12