WAIT… THAT’S IN THE BIBLE? — DAY 17

A lighthearted look at some of the wonderfully unexpected things you discover when you actually read your Bible, context still matters!

“A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.”
Proverbs 18:2

Long before social media comment sections…

Long before internet forums…

Long before somebody could type “WELL ACTUALLY…” from the comfort of their lounge room…

PROVERBS HAD ALREADY MET THAT GUY.

You know the conversation.

Someone patiently explains the facts.

Provides evidence.

Gives context.

Answers the question.

And then someone arrives in the comments:

“I DIDN’T READ ANY OF THAT, BUT HERE’S WHAT I THINK…”

Proverbs:

“Yes. We have a verse about you.”

The funny thing is, the verse doesn’t simply say the fool has a bad opinion.

It says he “finds no pleasure in understanding.”

That’s the problem.

He’s not listening so he can learn.

He’s listening for a gap in the conversation so he can say:

“ANYWAY, MY OPINION IS…”

Context still matters!

Proverbs is contrasting wisdom with foolishness. A wise person values understanding, listens and is willing to learn. The fool is more interested in expressing himself than discovering whether what he believes is actually true.

So perhaps before hitting POST COMMENT, Proverbs 18:2 gives us a handy little checklist:

Did I understand what they actually said?
Did I listen before responding?
Do I know the facts?
Am I contributing something useful?

Or am I simply thinking…

“THE INTERNET NEEDS TO KNOW MY OPINION IMMEDIATELY.”

Three thousand years later, technology has changed enormously.

Human nature?

Apparently we’re still working on the software update.