There probably won’t be many posts here for a while. I am currently in the midst of several things that relate directly to what we discuss here, but I need to let them play out further before I discuss them. In the meantime though, I will leave you with three fundamental truths–fundamental truths that I hold as a guide while navigating these aforementioned situations, and that will serve you well in the situations you must navigate.
Truth #1: The Fundamental Truth about Humanity
The fundamental truth about humanity is that it is fallen. Sinful. Wicked. Utterly depraved. It’s who we are at our most basic level. In the words of J.C. Ryle:
There are many things on earth which a natural man cannot explain. The amazing inequality of conditions,-the poverty and distress,-the oppression and persecution,-the shakings and tumults,-the failures of statesmen and legislators, -the constant existence of uncured evils and abuses,-all these things are often puzzling to him. He sees but does not understand. But the Bible makes it all clear. The Bible can tell him that the whole world lieth in wickedness,-that the prince of the world, the devil, is everywhere,-and that it is vain to look for perfection in the present order of things. The Bible will tell him that neither laws nor education can ever change men’s hearts,-and that, just as no man will ever make a machine work well, unless he allows for friction,-so also no man will do much good in the world unless he always remembers that human nature is fallen, and that the world he works in is full of sin.
Truth #2: The Fundamental Truth about Men
As men, we are all sons of Adam. We are all prone to his failure. Just as Adam was not deceived, but consciously chose to harken to the voice of his wife over the voice of God, so each of us has a tendency to abdicate the leadership responsibilities given to us to please and placate women–even when we know that it would be wrong to do so.
Truth #3: The Fundamental Truth about Women
The truth about women is that they are all daughters of Eve. Like Eve, women are tempted to elevate their desires and listen to the beguiling words of those who would tell them their desires and emotions are a greater source of truth than God.
These truths are simple. They are short. And they may seem rather depressing. Take heart! These truths will allow you to exit the endless cycle of disappointments. Instead of looking for people who are not fallen, look for those who have acknowledged their problem and are being made righteous by the obedience of Christ. Don’t look for the man who does not have a tendency to abdicate his leadership responsibilities in favor of pleasing and placating women, but rather for the man who recognizes his sinful tendency and in the grace of Christ is learning to lead properly. Do not look for the woman who does not have a tendency to elevate her desires and emotions above the Word of God, but rather for the woman who recognizes her sinful tendency and in the grace of Christ is learning to bring every thought into captivity of obedience to Christ.