Everyone’s Talking
(Kent Heaton)
Never
before in the history of man has the ability to communicate been as
integral a part of society than now. Cell phones have opened up the air
ways with endless hours of conversation all over the world. Rarely can
you find someone that does not have a cell phone to their ear. Young and
old, in the automobile, shopping, at the beach, in restaurants, jogging,
at dinner tables the nonstop verbiage flow unabated. Texting is a
societal norm almost required for relationships. Facebook, Twitter,
Skype, YouTube and a host of methods are employed to keep in contact
with updates, news, notes and “hello how are you doing” with unceasing
control over our time and relationships.
Everyone is talking so why are we not a closer people? The lack of
communication has always been at the root of relationship problems, lack
of knowledge and confusion. Yet with all the talking going on the
conversations do not draw us closer but farther apart. Signs are placed
in windows and counters telling people to not talk on cell phones while
doing business. ‘Reception rage’ happens when we lose our signal or
cannot call with our cell phone. All this talking seems to be driving us
mad.
It has been said the reason God gave us two ears and one mouth is so
that we can listen more than we talk. James writes, “So then, my beloved
brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James
1:19-20). A rabbinical adage says, “Talk little and work much.” Albert
Barnes noted on James 1:19, “The ancients have some sayings on this
subject which are well worthy of our attention. ‘Men have two ears, and
but one tongue, that they should hear more than they speak.’ ‘The ears
are always open, ever ready to receive instruction; but the tongue is
surrounded with a double row of teeth, to hedge it in, and to keep it
within proper bounds.”
Paul described the process of faith as “hearing by the word of God”
(Romans 10:17). This involves time to listen, meditate and contemplate
the mind of God. If we talked with God through prayer and supplication
as much as we spent time on the cell phone and Facebook postings our
lives would be filled with the Lord on every hand. We have become people
as described by Paul quoting the prophet Isaiah: “Go to this people and
say: ‘Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you
will see, and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown
dull. their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they
should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal
them’” (Acts 28:26-27).
Everyone is talking but few are listening. Everyone is glued to their
cell phones with every app imaginable to fill their days with
technological futility and waste. “This wisdom does not descend from
above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking
exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is
from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full
of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy”
(James 3:15-17). Wisdom from above comes from “all scripture” (2 Timothy
3:16-17). “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine …
Meditate on these things” (See 1 Timothy 4:13-16).
Kent Heaton, via Bible Matters, Nov. 22, 2010
Editor’s
note:
Brother Heaton makes some great points as we see how the latest and
greatest “gadgets” sometimes get in the way of our “people skills” and
our need to remember the basics that NEVER change when it comes to
teaching others (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2, 2:2).
With all the technological advances out there, you will NOT
convert anyone until you take the time to open your Bibles and study
with them face to face.
Everything is just tools to introduce and enhance your opportunities to
teach. After all, in New
Testament times God didn’t even use the Holy Spirit to miraculously
convert anyone. He always
called on someone to go and TELL the message.
Let’s not let “the latest and greatest” gadgets cloud that fact.
But having said that, this article made me think of something.
We are reading so much about technology today and the concerns
that many, including myself, have with its abuse or negligence.
I have reproduced more than one article on the dangers of the
internet and facebook, etc.
And I will continue to do so because it is a relevant subject that needs
to be addressed often. But
before we condemn technology, realize that it is a two-edged sword that
can be used for as much good or it is used for evil.
We need to understand that technology is a good thing.
Before you balk at that statement.
Notice that you are reading a bulletin copied on a copier and
produced on a computer with electricity that is piped into our houses
and into the church building with little thought (except when we see the
bill). You drove here in a
car that can go more than 60 miles an hour with relative safety.
We can assemble at night and see with a
simple flick of the light switch.
Our lessons are recorded by way of a sound system that is
connected to a computer. The
lessons can be published on our website and broadcast to people all over
the world or you can receive them via cassette or cd.
Because of this technology a sermon is not confined to the
building. In addition to
this, when we get a little cold we turn on the heater and when we get
hot (or shall I say warm) we turn on the air conditioner.
We communicate on telephones all over the world.
In your life at home,
you go to the grocery store and find whatever you want, often prepared
and/or preserved so that it will last and can be prepared with more
technology such as an electric or gas stove, a refrigerator that keeps
food cool. I could go on and
on about what we enjoy and
what has been made simpler and better because of technology.
What is my
point? We are quick to
criticize technology when it is not what we want, but the truth is there
is NOTHING wrong with technology and advancements.
Some want to halt technology when it advances beyond what they
perceive to be the acceptable standard.
Such is not fair and it can prohibit some very good and
profitable things, like the many mentioned in this note thus far. They
are a blessing for which we ought to be thankful (1 Thess. 5:18).
But having said
that, as with all things, we need to use the latest and greatest gadgets
and technology with wisdom.
It should not take away from or replace your personal responsibilities.
Nor should it put you in undue debt or become a god in your life.
Having
said all this, no matter what we are blessed with in life, be thankful
and use it to God’s glory.
It’s not what we have, but how we use it.
It’s all about how we manage out time and our priorities.
Think about it. Maybe I’ll post this on Facebook.
TATJR