Sydney Avey
Dynamic Woman — Changing Times
The Tree of Knowledge
Whatever is lovely
Partaking of the internet is like eating from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Where once we were relative innocents, we now know the unfathomable depths of horrific evil that pervades the earth, in epic scale.
In a class I am taking, Jesus the Jew, Rabbi David Davis lamented, “Our knowledge has increased, but our hearts have not changed.” There in a simple sentence is the problem I have long pondered.
We have made great strides in science and technology that enable us to battle dissidents and diseases with greater ferocity. But hatred and illness seem to be a war we cannot win. Contain the festering sore in one place and it pops up in another. Forming coalitions, crafting policies, and legislating behavior have their place, but they don’t appear to touch the heart.
Whatever is pure
If we posit that more knowledge will not produce the heart to live in peace, how do we begin to effect the change that will bring some measure of the righteousness the prophet Isaiah’s God calls for? Namely, “…to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:7)
We know what darkness this verse speaks of on the physical level. We struggle with the meaning of these words on the spiritual level. Perhaps it begins with an examination of our own hearts.
And so I ask: Where is my blind spot? What thoughts do I hold captive in a prison of prejudice that I need to set free? What darkness do I sit in that confines the goodness God calls me to express?
The teacher Paul suggests “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
That sounds too simple, but perhaps walking this path reforms our hearts. It’s a place to start.
If there is any excellence
Think about these things.
Syndey, thank you! Beautifully written! I agree, Phillipians 4:8 is such a beautiful place to start. Thank you for blessing my day!
Sydney, The tree we chose in the garden has chosen us. The temptation remains the same..”ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil”. Whew, like you have wonderfully stated, we have the power to choose the good, the true and the beautiful…Thank God for His Word, and the power of His word to transform our minds.
Can’t wait to see you, come back soon.
xoxoMary