Oh, be careful little ears what you hear....

I'm going to give you some medical education today. O.K. so not exactly, but I will tell you an interesting fact about medical education. Do you know how they teach doctors-to-be to tell if an inner ear is infected or normal? They do something very interesting. They have them look at "normal" [inner]ears.... lot's of them... for quite a while actually.... over and over... until they know what "normal" looks like. So when they finally look at an abnormal (or infected) ear, they may not know what is wrong with it... but they certainly know that something isn't "right".

Many times I have thought about this fact when contemplating discussions with others on various topics. How do we "know" that something is "wrong"? or "not good for us"? or goes against a biblical principle? Sometimes things we do or say or experience seem, well, "harmless". I can't tell you how many times I have heard some person say "Oh, it won't hurt anything." or "What's wrong with that?" or... "[fill in your blank here]. The problem is, deep down... we wonder....

I tell you today's media [tv, ipods, computer, movies, websites, books, cds, radio... we are just overwhelmed with media aren't we?] is perfectly willing to share what they think is "normal". Many times they insert in just enough truth/facts in there and then mix it with emotionalism and opinions and even false doctrines. Daniel and I are becoming more aware everyday that the "teaching" that is given to us each day in just our regular daily routines is just inundating us with anti-biblical messages (some subtle; some very blatant).

So, how do we "know" what is right and good in the mist of being blasted by so many messages continually? Well, just like the teaching of what a "normal" inner ear looks like; we need to be so well versed in what is "right" [insert time with God and Bible reading daily here]... that when "wrong" comes along... we may not know why it is wrong (or even exactly what about it bothers us)... but we certainly know that it isn't "right". We have to be so exposed to the truth of God's Word every day in our lives that it becomes our standard for living. [I tell you... in this day and age... that is not an easy task.]

Anybody remember that little song from preschool days?

"Oh, be careful little ears what you hear.....
........for the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little ears what you hear."

Last night Daniel and I were discussing this little song after renting a movie (PG and very mild by today's standards) that we fast forwarded through parts and were very disappointed in where the makers of that series had taken it. Then we talked about good movies that we had seen that were worth the time and how far and few they were produced now. [Hmm... think we'll just cancel our membership to the local movie rental place and join a club that mails only wholesome Christian movies.]

Deuteronomy 4:5-7 (New International Version)

5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God
I Corinthians 1

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[c] 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."[d]


James 1:5 (New International Version)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.