Who Defeats Your Best Ideas?

It’s not what you know, it is what you do with what you know that matters. Information is good, but information alone is sterile. What matters is what you do with what you know.

Strange isn’t it, many seek more knowledge while not utilizing what is known. That is true in business, sports, family life, religion, and every area of life. As in algebra, to find the unknown start with the known.

Three hundred years before Christ, Erathosthenes conducted a significant experiment. He discovered that in the city of Syene at high noon a stick standing perfectly vertical cast no shadow.  Later, he also discovered that 500 miles away, at the exact same moment, a vertical stick cast a shadow of 7 degrees. This led to the following conclusion. 7 degrees is approximately 1/50 of the 360 degrees in a circle. If every 500 miles is 7 degrees, then the full circle of the earth would be 25,000 miles. Erathosthenes had calculated the earth’s circumference to within a few miles. From this he concluded the earth is round. 

Eighteen hundred years later Christopher Columbus sailed out of a safe harbor into an uncharted and foreboding sea. His intent was to sail to India. He, too, believed the earth was round. However, his calculations were off by 7,000 miles. It took weeks longer than anticipated to reach an unknown destination. He returned to this hemisphere four times and died in 1506 having no idea where he had been.

Today we pay tribute to Columbus, but few know the name Erathosthenes. Both had faith. One acted on his faith and the other didn’t. Erathosthenes did nothing with what he knew. Columbus had limited knowledge, but in faith he acted on that in which he had faith.

Is there some good adventure, project, or action you have the knowledge to achieve, but haven’t? Don’t let your song go unsung; your deed undone. Don’t succumb to been-gonna-itus.

Who defeats your best ideas? Who holds you back from what might be or you might become? Be honest. Our own worst inhibitor is ourselves.

As in algebra, to find the unknown start with the known. What part of God’s will do you know to do, and aren’t doing it?

In professional and spiritual matters this admonition is still valid: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.”

Are you a spiritual Columbus or an Erathosthenes?

Four Cardinal Virtues – Part Three

Ancient Greek culture passed on to us what were considered four vital virtues: PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, COURAGE, and TEMPERANCE.

Consider now the last two of these.

Courage is essential for the implementation of the other three. What good are they if we don’t have the courage of our convictions? Courage, holy boldness, amalgamated with grace is the spine of the other three.

Courage is always an act of faith, because the courageous person acts on what he believes, not necessarily on what he sees.

When all the things we could be afraid of are noted, it is easy to see why “don’t be afraid,” in one form or another, is one of the most repeated commands in Scripture. Put positively, God calls us like He did Daniel to “be strong and of good courage” (Daniel 10:19).

The same charge given the church at Corinth is relevant to us today.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

The same assurance our Lord gave His disciples immediately before His exodus is ours, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Buckle your seatbelt and get ready for the ride regardless of how hard. Apart from the Lord we have cause to be shaking in our boots. With Him there is reason for courage.

Temperance, the fourth Greek virtue, means self-control. In the New Testament self-control is spoken of as one of the fruit of the Spirit. Meaning with the aid of the Holy Spirit we can control ourselves. We all have appetites. You can run through an inventory of them starting with an appetite for good food. Controlling them is our responsibility. Self-control is a primary factor in success.

The Greek root for the word self-control means “to get a hold of” or “to get a grip on”. It literally means to get your hands on something until you are in control of it.

You can’t control the fact people will annoy you, but what you can control is your reaction. If a person angers you, they control you. Don’t give a person that chance.

Self-control is simply that important, and nearly impossible practice of learning to maintain control of the beast of your own passions. It means remaining master of your own domain not only when things are hunky-dory, but also when they are topsy-turvy.

Self-control implies that our self produces desires that need controlling. The Lord wants to help us with this. Therefore, “… the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” (II Timothy 1:7)

Self-control is something God will help us with, but He won’t do it for us. The “self” must do it. It is our personal challenge.

Psalm 15 began with a question and ends with a promise: “He who does these things shall never be moved.”

The four cardinal virtues make an admirable quartet. Hear them again: PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, COURAGE, and TEMPERANCE.

Four Cardinal Virtues – Part Two

The ancient Greeks considered there to be four vital virtues. They are:

                PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, COURAGE, and TEMPERANCE.

Prudence is practical wisdom that leads to good choices and results in successful living. Consider the A, B, Cs of these self-imposed tests of your decisions. Acceptability: Will this decision please the Lord?

Benefit: If this is exposed will it cause embarrassment?

Consequence: Am I prepared to live with the consequence?

In our feel good selfie society, persons often give primary consideration to feelings, emotions rein in making decisions. In making decisions it is imperative to reverse those roles. We must think first, then consider feelings.

Every path has a puddle. Everyone is a test of our character. How we respond to them is a revelation of who we are. “The integrity of the upright will guide them…” (Proverbs 11:3)

Temptation awaits our responsibility. Counsel that is applicable to all is specifically addressed to youth: “Flee… youthful lusts” (II Timothy 2:22).

The word “flee” means to run so fast as to kick up dust.

Flee and don’t leave a forwarding address.

Psalm 15 notes that in the eyes of a person of character “a vile person is despised”(Vs. 4). That is, there is no playful tolerance with evil. They do not develop friends of base, crude, evil, foul or gross persons.

Conversely a prudent person “honors those who fear the Lord” (Psalm 15: 4b).

Justice is the second of the four vital virtues. Justice centers on acts of fairness, honesty, and the rules of law.

Psalm 15: 2 gives three descriptive terms for such a person:

First: “He walks uprightly…” This is one translation of the Hebrew word for “integrity.” (vs. 2a). He leads an uncorrupted life.

Second: “And works righteousness…” (Vs. 2b). He does what is right.

Third: “He speaks truth from his heart…” (Vs. 2c).

This type of person tells the truth plain and simple. He doesn’t have a personal glossary of terms as defined by himself.  He doesn’t play word games. He avoids semantical sand traps.

An old Hebrew translation of this is: “One who doesn’t trip over his own tongue.”

An iconic person of justice who embodies those traits is to be admired. Reflect on them and objectively evaluate how well you consistently embody them.

Four Cardinal Virtues – Part One

Jesus dealt with a cast of characters as diverse as we. He provided for all the potential of peace with God in time and for eternity. In time He inspired hope and for eternity He enabled the love of God to be shared.

It is through the most circuitous route that He leads us to build our character. Character traits were once the words used when persons were spoken of. People were described as persons of character. Words such as honesty, integrity, truthful, and dependable were used.

Gradually the operative word changed from character to personality. Charming, cool, funny, and outgoing became the vocabulary.

Character has been so devalued as an admirable trait we have even been assured character doesn’t count.

How can it be said character doesn’t count in a world full of “oughts” and “shoulds.” Frequently in Scripture the expression “ought to” is used. It means what we “ought” to do is for our good and God’s glory.

Every “ought” is rooted in a value; every value requires a choice, every choice reveals character. Get it!

Every ought is
rooted in a value;
every value requires
a choice; every choice
defines a character.

Character isn’t something you have; it is something you are that inevitably shows itself in what you do.

Aristotle, the godfather of Greek philosophy, asserted human behavior can be shaped, that certain behaviors are helpful for individuals and society, and the best way to develop good behavior is by observing good role models. The Greeks identified four cardinal virtues: PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, COURAGE, and TEMPERANCE.

Though there are many attributes of those who can come into God’s presence, let’s concentrate on these four. Consider developing these four character traits. Look for them in others and model them. In this and subsequent post will be our theme.

Character and integrity are twins that walk hand in hand. Scripture speaks often of integrity as an integral part of character. Consider these two anchoring texts in considering the concept of character.

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” (Proverbs 10: 9)

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.” (I Chronicles 29: 17)

Wooden Horses

According to ancient Greek history, the Trojan Horse allowed the war-weary Greeks to enter the city of Troy and finally win the Trojan war. Legend has it that the massive wooden horse was built at the behest of Odysseus, who hid inside its structure along with several other soldiers to ultimately emerge once taken into the city and lay siege to the city, and open the gates to the city.

While visiting the Dardanelles in Turkey I saw a replica of the Trojan Horse. The story, if fiction is a brilliant myth, and if true a genius military tactic.

There is a similar story about the army laying siege to the ancient city of Joppa now in Israel. They placed large ornate baskets outside the city gates. When taken in the city soldiers inside the baskets overwhelmed the gatekeepers and allowed the army to conquer the city.

America, are you listening?

We may very well have altered the story. We opened the gate ourselves and let in a force that may have made us vulnerable.

There is one word that may lead to tragedy for America the beautiful. It is “inclusion.” It started off as a desire to let Black Americans become more engaging in all of American society, education, politics, government, business, entertainment, etc. That was a good idea that may have gone awry.

It now includes foreigners who do not have the same standards, ethics, morals, historical or political views. Admirable examples of some who have brought with them a good work ethic and other virtues have unintentionally opened the gate a bit wider.

Opening our borders is an example of an excessive and obsessive act. While many have been a blessing an undocumented hoard is sure to have ushered in some who are not only undesirable but some who pose a threat. That threat may not be a terrorist threat, but a cultural erosion of values.

Some members of Congress are an example of this. Not only has our current President opened the gate widely, but some presidents before him did. Obama allowed in what has proven to be a voting colony and they have sent a delegate to Congress. That is an example of what inclusion can do.

Big hearted, open minded, benevolent, progressive are some words used in defense of inclusion. The late Thomas Sowell, said many people today confuse feeling with thinking. We need to think correctly and clearly first, and let our feelings follow.

When inclusion is aligned with equity and diversity they make another open gate. It has even gotten into our military. Think about it, in combat, would you rather have a person in command because they meet the EDI standard or one who has rank because of being trained and is most qualified?

It is beginning to manifest itself in the medical community. Same principle, which do you want, the EDI doctor or the best trained and qualified?

How about athletics? Who do you want on your team, the best player or one who is there because of EDI. Come to think about it if EDI is to be the basis of playing time, that will shuffle some football and basketball rosters.

The problems caused by EDI are the result of it being challenged more and more. Now that the problems it causes are known can we step back, think about it, and make some changes. Concede, it is hard to get a wooden horse out.