How to be valiant and courageous part 3: Resisting pragmatism
“The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man.”
G.K. Cheserton
G.K. Cheserton
At first glance, the idea of “pragmatism” appears rather to be an ally instead of an enemy. How is being “pragmatic” dangerous to a man?
It is necessary to understand that “Pragmatism” is actually a philosophical system, a particular way of looking at the world. It is America’s unique contribution to the long list of philosophies developed in the West over many centuries. And while it seems attractive at first glance, it is actually be very dangerous. That’s the nature of insidious enemies—they appear to be a good thing but in the end are deadly.
The problem is that Pragmatism is a purely materialistic way of looking at life and of making decisions. It considers only the material consequences of one’s actions, the here and now, the material benefit that one can achieve. But the Christian man lives according to a higher standard—the spiritual consequences (which are unseen, and not material). In fact, he must live according to the guidance of His King, regardless of material consequences, even if it results in poverty, suffering, or persecution. Living according to Truth in a world that is managed by demons is a precarious business. Though God promises eternal rewards (a spiritual nature), he promises that in this material world, persecution and trouble is the standard for a man of God: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
Pragmatism says, “Don’t rock the boat or make waves. Sit down, stay quiet, and try to fit in.” While the King may tell us to “get out of the boat and walk on the water!”
Pragmatism tells us to do what is most efficient and what works. The King tells us “My ways are not your ways. Give all you have away and come follow me.”
“But I don’t understand,” you object. “How does that make sense?” And that is exactly right. You don’t understand, but God does. This is the meaning of “faith” and “trust.” Is your faith in Him and His Word, or is it only in your ability to understand and act according to materialistic consequences?
This is a difficult enemy to perceive and resist for men especially, because they are good at solving problems, doing things, building stuff. To do that, they have to see problems clearly and know how to resolve issues. They have to see the logic, make it make sense, and understand. This is a God-given part of the masculine makeup. It is good and it should be celebrated and utilized.
“So what is all this about trusting when I don’t understand?”
Yes, that is the tricky part. God calls us to use our God-given common sense in our daily life of dealing with problems. But every man of God will come upon episodes in his life when he is helpless to resolve problems or simply when God sees that he needs to take a step of growth in his character, to become a more sanctified man of God. In these times, God places him in a situation where he has no alternatives—in his own power or ability—to make sense of things. These are the moments he must call upon God and “lean not on his own understanding.”
God has established limitations in the universe. Mankind is not meant to understand everything but to trust in God: “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us…” (Deut. 29:29). As much as we may want to, we are not meant to have all the answers but to lean upon God in the midst of the mysteries of life. Pragmatism tells us we must know, see, do in our own power. God tells us we must trust.
In Pilgrims Progress the travellers were questioning Valiant-for-Truth as to why he did not call out for help when battling these enemies. Maybe he should see a psychologist, go the doctor, see a therapist! His response? “So I did [call out], to my King, who I knew could hear, and afford invisible Help, and that was sufficient for me.”
This is the way to overcome the enemies in your personal life—especially when you don’t know what to do. The challenges you face in life, while painful, are not the issue here. “All things work to our good,” (if you are seeking God’s intervention). The issue is your response to the challenge. Will you call out to your King and learn to lean upon Him, thus learning to trust God more fully; or will you stay in your own misery and try to muddle through it, even though you have no solutions?
The wise pilgrim will call upon his King.
Return to Words to Live By
It is necessary to understand that “Pragmatism” is actually a philosophical system, a particular way of looking at the world. It is America’s unique contribution to the long list of philosophies developed in the West over many centuries. And while it seems attractive at first glance, it is actually be very dangerous. That’s the nature of insidious enemies—they appear to be a good thing but in the end are deadly.
The problem is that Pragmatism is a purely materialistic way of looking at life and of making decisions. It considers only the material consequences of one’s actions, the here and now, the material benefit that one can achieve. But the Christian man lives according to a higher standard—the spiritual consequences (which are unseen, and not material). In fact, he must live according to the guidance of His King, regardless of material consequences, even if it results in poverty, suffering, or persecution. Living according to Truth in a world that is managed by demons is a precarious business. Though God promises eternal rewards (a spiritual nature), he promises that in this material world, persecution and trouble is the standard for a man of God: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
Pragmatism says, “Don’t rock the boat or make waves. Sit down, stay quiet, and try to fit in.” While the King may tell us to “get out of the boat and walk on the water!”
Pragmatism tells us to do what is most efficient and what works. The King tells us “My ways are not your ways. Give all you have away and come follow me.”
“But I don’t understand,” you object. “How does that make sense?” And that is exactly right. You don’t understand, but God does. This is the meaning of “faith” and “trust.” Is your faith in Him and His Word, or is it only in your ability to understand and act according to materialistic consequences?
This is a difficult enemy to perceive and resist for men especially, because they are good at solving problems, doing things, building stuff. To do that, they have to see problems clearly and know how to resolve issues. They have to see the logic, make it make sense, and understand. This is a God-given part of the masculine makeup. It is good and it should be celebrated and utilized.
“So what is all this about trusting when I don’t understand?”
Yes, that is the tricky part. God calls us to use our God-given common sense in our daily life of dealing with problems. But every man of God will come upon episodes in his life when he is helpless to resolve problems or simply when God sees that he needs to take a step of growth in his character, to become a more sanctified man of God. In these times, God places him in a situation where he has no alternatives—in his own power or ability—to make sense of things. These are the moments he must call upon God and “lean not on his own understanding.”
God has established limitations in the universe. Mankind is not meant to understand everything but to trust in God: “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us…” (Deut. 29:29). As much as we may want to, we are not meant to have all the answers but to lean upon God in the midst of the mysteries of life. Pragmatism tells us we must know, see, do in our own power. God tells us we must trust.
In Pilgrims Progress the travellers were questioning Valiant-for-Truth as to why he did not call out for help when battling these enemies. Maybe he should see a psychologist, go the doctor, see a therapist! His response? “So I did [call out], to my King, who I knew could hear, and afford invisible Help, and that was sufficient for me.”
This is the way to overcome the enemies in your personal life—especially when you don’t know what to do. The challenges you face in life, while painful, are not the issue here. “All things work to our good,” (if you are seeking God’s intervention). The issue is your response to the challenge. Will you call out to your King and learn to lean upon Him, thus learning to trust God more fully; or will you stay in your own misery and try to muddle through it, even though you have no solutions?
The wise pilgrim will call upon his King.
Return to Words to Live By