Turning To The World INSTEAD OF To the WORD
Published: August 10, 2008
The other day on my drive to work, I was listening to the Steve Harvey Show’s segment of the Strawberry Letter on the radio. For those of you who stick strictly to gospel stations, this is a secular, nationally syndicated radio show. The Strawberry Letter is somewhat of a Dear Abby where listeners write letters to Steve about their problems hoping to gain some perspective. This day a woman wrote distressed about a new divorce. Surprisingly, she wasn’t writing because she was outraged that her ex-husband lived with his mistress on the very same street as her. She wasn’t even writing because, as he passed by their son playing in the yard each day, he never stopped to spend time with him. She was writing because she knew she had no choice but to wait on God to change her situation—-she just needed help and encouragement while she waited.
My heart really went out to her, but I had to wonder, why is this believer asking Steve Harvey what only the Word of God can tell her? Perhaps she was confused because Steve Harvey hosts BET’s Celebration of Gospel; but he is always the first to admit that he is no clergyman. Anyway, Steve’s fill-in host on air this morning took on the challenge, and I was absolutely appalled at what she said. After quoting something half-way decent that she’d heard from a pastor, she then went on a tangent about how she could never forgive in that kind of situation. She reiterated with such passion that forgiveness was not an option that it became the resounding theme before the commercial break. By the time I arrived to work, I was simply feeling sorry for the Strawberry Letter writer. I couldn’t stop thinking of the scripture that says “if you don’t forgive men’s sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Mat 6:15).” There could be no more detrimental advice given to her then not to consider forgiveness! Didn’t anyone in the studio own a Bible!?
I kicked myself for being surprised at the gross misguidance. Proverbs 12:5 says “the plans of righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.” We should all know better than to expect solid advice from a world that knows nothing of our way of life. Should we consult a dentist about respiratory issues? Of course not! Why, then, do we look to the world for advice concerning matters that are essentially spiritual? Is it that the world is accessible while our pastors are not? Has the Bible become such a challenge to interpret? Do we find reason to distance other believers from our personal lives? Is the entertainment value of a horoscope really worth the folly it is sure to produce? It’s time for Christians to abandon the excuses and be about the serious pursuit of wisdom from the Word, our guide to life.
Revisiting the strawberry letter writer’s initial question, I asked how the Word, would advise her as she waits on God. Scripture, or a godly friend may have directed her to Psalms where David, too, was learning to wait on the Lord. He “laid his request before God and waited in expectation (5:3)”. He knew to “be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord (27:14).” David “waited in hope” for the Lord being reminded that He is “our help and our shield (33:20)”. He was still before the Lord and waited patiently for Him, not fretting when [evil] men succeed in their ways (37:7).” He waited for the Lord and kept His way (37:34), being careful not to say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong,” but to wait on deliverance from the Lord (Pro 20:22). This, Strawberry Letter writer, my sister in Christ, is how you should wait on your God.
Neglecting forgiveness is about the dumbest and downright wicked piece of advice one could offer. Why should anyone forego their soul to hold onto unforgiveness? The writer of Ecclesiastes 7:25 (NLT) explains that “[he] searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. [He] was determined to prove that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.” We, likewise, need to prove this to ourselves by seeking counsel from scripture and not from “grown folks radio“, etc. So let us also be of this noble pursuit for godly wisdom, forsaking the world’s commentary and looking to the Word.
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Effie Abrahamsen
March 14, 2010
The best advice I have seen in a long time. We must separate the Holy from the securlar. There is a difference. I pray for this lady. It would be hard to be in her position. But God is a warrior and will fight our fights for us if we allow him to. Forgiveness is essential.