Proverbs or Echo Chambers
Daily Reading: Genesis 18, Psalm 18, Matthew 18, Proverbs 18
One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.
Proverbs 18:1 (NET)
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
Proverbs 18:2 (NIV)
To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:13 (NIV)
The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
Proverbs 18:17 (NET)
These four verses from our reading in Proverbs today could not be more relevant to our society today.
We live in a world where it has never been easier to obtain knowledge. The entire wealth of human history, philosophy, scientific study, etc. lies at our finger tips with access to the internet.
One would think there would never have been a better time for deep knowledge, critical thinking, and robust dialogue about all of the issues facing civilization today.
Unfortunately, social media, and large tech companies have created an environment where we see quite the opposite.
All of the various algorithms utilized by Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc. optimize for keeping you on their platform, and they know the quickest way to keep you engaged is to send you more of the same content you have already shown interest in consuming.
I am amazed from time to time when I stumble across someone who truly believes the earth is flat. It baffles me, with the overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, that someone could possibly believe this.
And yet, they would say the opposite. They cannot fathom why the rest of our world just blindly accepts what they are told, despite the “overwhelming evidence that the earth is clearly flat”.
One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.
The internet has created pockets of isolation.
We show interest in one position on a given topic, and are then flooded with additional voices confirming our existing world view. And there is no shortage of people out there screaming from the rooftops anything and everything that seems like it may garner attention.
There is always an army of people prepared to tell you about all of “the research they have done” on the topic.
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
And, in the absence of a dissenting voice in our news feeds, it can often seem like they may be right.
The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
In our hectic, fast paced world, very rarely do we slow down enough to critically cross examine our own beliefs.
However, we also read in Proverbs today:
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
Proverbs 18:15
Our world could use more humility.
Our society needs Christians willing to slow down, unplug from the algorithms, challenge things that don’t seem in alignment with what God has for his people, and ultimately seek depth of knowledge before airing opinions.
This year, I want to do my part in slowing down enough to seek truth on various issues, and always return to what God’s word has to say on the topic.
It isn’t always easy, but it is worth the fight.
I want to have the posture of my heart and mind to be one seen in Psalm 18:2 today:
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
YoutTube is not our deliverer.
Facebook is not our fortress.
Twitter is not our horn of salvation.
This year let’s use our time accordingly and guard what we let into our hearts and minds!
Daily Reflection & Dialogue
What influences have I given too strong of a footing to in my life over the last several years? Where might I need to challenge my own beliefs on topics and return to what Jesus has to say on the matter?
