Get Smart

I listen to a lot of talk radio. One of the things I hear many of the hosts say is that the "American people are smart." What they are implying is that the voters are not as easily swayed as some by the emotional appeals of the candidates, especially those of Presidential nominee Barack Obama. Today, I happened across the following Q & A written on Yahoo! Answers.

Q: Are the American people really " smart voters " or vote for who is liked regardless of issues?

A: For the most part, they are unaware of most of the issues and the positions of the candidates. They vote like it is an episode of American Idol, and unfortunately, a lot of Americans know much more about American Idol than politics.

Although, it may sound cruel and misinformed, I happen to agree with the answer here. Granted, none of us will admit that we are, or have been, a "kool-aid" drinker at sometime in our life. It is difficult not to be a "kool-aid" drinker given the fact that when it comes to politics it can be very difficult to know everything about a particular candidate or issue. Therefore, we end up trusting individuals like Rush Limbaugh, networks like CNN, newspapers like The New York Times and a vast array of websites, in hopes that they are telling us the truth. Normally, what we use to discern who is telling us the truth is our shared experiences or superficial things like appearance, popularity or our feelings. Hence, that is why I agree with the "American Idol" reference above. But, it is human nature, I believe, to rely on others to do the work for us. If we trust the source then we trust what we are being told. On top of that, throw in other factors like family history or tradition and we end up not questioning what we are believing because those we love and trust believe it too, and have for as long as we can remember.

"He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." Ephesians 4: 10-14

When I see how many individuals flock after a candidate despite obvious flaws in their candidacy I am not so sure that the average individual is as smart as we sometimes give them credit for being. Christians are no different. You need to look no further than Christian television or radio to see the same effect taking place within the Body of Christ. Perhaps, I am guilty of rubbernecking, but it is hard not to watch or listen to some of these pastors and teachers despite the obvious error they are proclaiming. Just look at popular evangelists like Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyers and TD Jakes. These so-called Christian leaders promote some of the most unbiblical doctrines imagineable, like the Prosperity Gospel, being slain in the Spirit and that physical healing is guaranteed to a believer. Yet, these supposed leaders preach in front of thousands in attendance and millions on television and radio. I have to ask, "Where is the discernment?" How come so many Christians fall hook, line and sinker for this error so easily? It has to be that they don't know, don't care or think that the truth is being preached. However, they don't realize that they are subjecting themselves to some of the most unsound and heretical teaching available. In many cases, for the real Christians caught up in this dilemma, they end up destroying their spiritual, financial, emotional and person lives. By the time they realize they have been led astray by the false teaching, it is too late. More often then not, they spent more time getting caught up in the emotion and popularity of the moment that they don't realize they have fallen for the deceitful scheming of cunning and crafty men and women. You can't have unity when some are apparently benefiting from the misery of others.

"...but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2: 10-14

I am a believer that the Spirit of God not only reveals the truths of God to us, but can help us discern the truths of the world as well. In either case, regardless of the subject, God does have an opinion. There is only one truth, not many. Christians who allow themselves to fall victim to poor teaching, and even defend it, give evidence that they are not relying on the Spirit of God to teach them His truth or may not be Christians at all, not having the Spirit of God indwelling them. I feel that there may be a correlation between not relying on the Spirit of God to lead us, or not having the Spirit of God at all, which leads to people supporting and proclaiming doctrines and political idelogies that resemble the world moreso than the things of God. When the things a candidate proclaim promise to bless our flesh despite how unbelievable the claim is, or how biblically sound it is, we need to seek the truth. When our political ideologies are in opposition to the clear teachings of scripture, we need to seek the truth. Just because something sounds good, is popular and is presented by a polished and well spoken individual, does not mean it is in our best interest or is from God. When we allow ourselves to be misled on spiritual matters, the consequences could be eternal. When we allow ourselves to be misled on worldly matters, the consequences may make us wish we had sought God's direction beforehand. In both cases, it is better to be prepared before you accept what other are saying rather than trying to pick up the pieces after you have suffered.