The human mind is an enigma. The same humanity that devised the Holocaust also cured polio. Humans envisioned atomic power to end life and later harnessed it to provide electricity. It also seems we have an unlimited capacity for both imagination and self-deception.
Jeremiah (17:9) justly doubts the fallen mind’s ability to be objective about itself, so we are called (Proverbs 18:2; 15:22) to seek outside help: “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions. . . Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Life is better when we consult others.
Safety is not in numbers, but the quality of their counsel. Rehoboam (1 Kings 12), and Absalom (1 Samuel 17) both followed bad advice to their regret, as did Israel (Numbers 14) when they heeded the cowardly ten spy majority over faith-filled Joshua and Caleb.
These decisions meant life or death for thousands. We exist in community, so we need to join the prudent and mutually accountable. Self-deception causes fools to find those who support their folly, but in other places wisdom flows freely for all who will listen.
Societal turmoil means we must choose our community (church, political associations) all the more carefully. Having a right to an opinion does not mean our group’s opinion is right. God made us in His image, so our right to choose includes a responsibility to be upright and wise.
“Father, you created us for community, and we ask that you guide us to a community which follows hard after Jesus. In His name. Amen.”