UNLEARN THE TEACHINGS OF THE WORLD
Beirut, Lebanon
20, October 2024
Palig Dawidian
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Proverbs 9:10
It all starts with the false teaching that respect must be earned or that others have to earn our respect. In truth, everyone deserves respect simply because they are human beings created in God’s image. This misconception also affects our relationship with God as we withhold respect from Him because we think God has to earn our respect.
Thinking we are wise, we become foolish by conforming to the false, often misinterpreted, and out-of-context biblical teachings of this world. We use words whose meanings and origins we do not even understand, adopting the world's distorted views because humanity has shifted from seeking the will of God to seeking validation from man. In our pursuit of power and money, we have stopped seeking God, and in doing so, we’ve lost respect or what the Bible refers to as "fear," which, in Hebrew, translates to reverence for Him. With this loss comes the deterioration of wisdom, as we begin to please man over our Creator. Modernization doesn’t make us wiser; in fact, it often blinds us to true wisdom.
To fear God is to respect Him so much that we do not want to disobey Him. Some reading this may be hearing this concept for the first time, while others may already be ones’ who “love” God. So, the question remains the same to all readers, do you truly love God? do you respect God? do you fear Him? Respect is followed by obedience and obedience requires giving up desires that the world promotes as harmless, using phrases like, "You’re only human", "You only live once" or "Life is short." Disregarding the fact that we are children of God Almighty, live every day, and eternity is long!
The world teaches that love is merely a feeling or a reciprocated act based on benefits, it leads you to overthinking, confusion, and a sense of loneliness. Failing to realize that true love is an action of dying to oneself not just a feeling that makes you feel good, so you reject receiving true love. By this rejection, you convince yourself that you can disobey because "you aren’t loved”.
God’s love for us doesn’t change despite our disobedience. In fact, He loved us first, and it is through Him that we even know how to love, for we come from Him and belong to Him. All we need to do is receive His love, receive the gift of salvation (His ultimate expression of love) because He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us. However, as we receive His true love it leads us to respect him providing us the wisdom to gain self control and become obedient in reverence of Him.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14
The Path of the World – Destruction
The world often promotes ideas that seem empowering or even freeing, but these values can sometimes lead us away from true fulfillment. Society tells us to "follow your heart," "be yourself," and live as if "you don’t owe anyone anything." This path, focuses entirely on self, insists that "it’s all about you." Relationships are guided by treating others the way they treat us, and responding to evil with retaliation. At first, these ideas seem enticing, encouraging us to seek respect, independence, and even a sense of justice. But beneath the surface, this mindset fosters isolation, pride, and eventually, discontent.
This path has broader consequences. Consider the increasing prevalence of broken families, fractured relationships, and confused identities, all of which correlate with the rise of "independence" as an ideal. Does this mean independence is wrong? Not at all. In fact the bible calls us unto independence. However, not on oneself but in God. This misguided pursuit of self-reliance disconnects us from our Creator, leading to spiritual emptiness. The Bible warns against such separation, stating in John 15:5“Apart from me you can do nothing”. Not because you can’t but because the presence of evil is the absence of God.
The subtle truth behind this narrative is far more wicked: our enemy is at work, hiding in plain sight by convincing us he doesn’t exist. He distorts biblical principles, branding believers as "Jesus freaks" or "extremists”. The Apostle Paul cautions us in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This spiritual battle is real, and the consequences of following the world’s path are evident all around us, even if we choose to ignore them. Ultimately, the pursuit of independence, when disconnected from God, leads us away from life and unto destruction.
The Path of the Word – Life
In the Word, we find the earth we all aspire to live in. The world often encourages us to "follow our heart," but Jesus warns that our hearts can be deceitful, as noted in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Instead, we are called to seek God's guidance Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Protecting us from the destructive consequences of misplaced desires.
Society promotes the idea of "being yourself," yet Jesus invites us to a deeper identity as new creations in Him in 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read,“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This teaching shields us from the emptiness of a self-centered existence, helping us live with purpose. The belief that "you don’t owe anyone anything" fosters self-interest, but Jesus teaches us to love and serve others in John 15:12 He commands, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you,” and in Galatians 6:2, we are encouraged to “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Emphasizing community and safeguarding us from isolation. Society often advocates for a transactional approach in relationships, but Jesus sets a higher standard of love in Luke 6:31 “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”, urging us to treat others with kindness, including our enemies as He says in Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Protecting us from bitterness and resentment, filling us with grace and forgiveness. Finally, while the world suggests fighting evil with evil, Jesus teaches us to respond with love and forgiveness in Matthew 5:39 He instructs, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
With many other teachings of Jesus by embracing them, we find a transformative path toward righteousness, deeper fulfillment, connection, and unity. Ultimately, it becomes less about individual peace and achievements but more about our collective journey toward the eternal life of peace and comfort that God desires for all of us.
"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