Unwise and Bizarre Living

This may seem like a strange category of sin but we can think of nothing better.  We know that our walk in Christ is to be a wise one.  Paul writes, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders” (Colossians 4:5a).  He urges us, “Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15).  We also read, “A man of understanding walks straight” (Proverbs 15:21).  James adds, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him” (1:5).

Solomon says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (1:7).  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (9:10).  The New Testament sophia  means “the insight into the true nature of things.”[1] In contrast, “foolishness” is either from moria, “foolishness,” or aphrosune, “senselessness.”[2] Today we find some people living, acting, and dressing in a foolish, senseless, and even bizarre manner.

We might even charge that some people, especially young ones, are living and acting in a crazy way.  This word, crazy, means “departing from proportion or moderation,”[3] or “unusual; bizarre.”[4] Synonyms would include weird, odd, peculiar, strange, silly, absurd, outrageous, foolish, senseless, and imprudent.[5]  Bizarre means “markedly unusual in appearance, style, or general character; strange; odd.”[6] It means “strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd.”[7]

Now, we can’t take this too far since many worldly people would consider consistent Christians as being “unusual” or “bizarre” or “odd” because of their modest clothing, their unconventional ways, their avoidance of worldly entertainment, their unconventional speech, and their separation from societal norms.  However, we must recognize that worldliness, in many ways, is actually bizarre, unusual, and even crazy!  Not only are worldly ways unwise, they are foolish!

How is this craziness expressed?  We see it in the bizarre clothes that worldly young people (and older people) wear.  Women wear masculine clothes and they sometimes wear seductive clothes.  Definitely they wear immodest and form-fitting clothes.  Think also of the high heeled shoes that women wear which every podiatrist will point out are foolish.  We see this craziness in the art popular for many years.

We refer to “modern art” that is absolutely bizarre and meaningless.  Don’t we have the perception and common sense to realize how bizarre and senseless is the art work of Pecasso?  Consider also impressionists like Renoir and Monet. It is not only unrealistic, it is silly and crazy!  We see this craziness in the tattoos that have become popular.  It makes no sense and expresses a lot of foolishness for young people (and older ones too) to tattoo their arms, legs, neck, cheeks, and other bodily parts, not only using bizarre art and words, but doing something that they may later regret.

We also notice this craziness in the jewelry that both male and female young people and older ones wear.  Think of the way that men have begun to look like women with their ear jewelry.  Think of the absolutely bizarre use of body piercings using metal jewelry, whether it be ear piercings, lip piercings, tongue piercings, or piercings of other parts of the body.  This makes no sense, thus it is senseless and foolish.  We would also see the craziness in the bizarre music popular today.  Many different genres of music make no sense—literally, “nonsense”—and deserve to be called noise rather than music!  We don’t just refer to hard rock and country “music,” but nearly every other form.

All of this bizarre living and crazy acting and many other expressions deserve to be recognized as foolishness.  Instead of harmony, it is disharmony.  Instead of reality, it is fantasy.  Instead of naturalness, it is unnatural.  Instead of modesty, it is pretentious and ostentatious.  Instead of peace, it speaks of chaos.  Instead of meaning and purpose, it is meaningless and incoherent.  Instead of loveliness, it is ugly. Instead of wisdom, it is foolishness.  It is the very opposite to the ways of God, the ways of righteousness, and the ways of purity and holiness.  Thus, this perspective and lifestyle is sinful.

 

[1] W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary.

[2] Ibid.

[3] The American Heritage College Dictionary.

[4] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

[5] Family Word Finder.

[6] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

[7] The American Heritage College Dictionary.