“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:46
I saw this message emblazoned across a young man’s shirt. The t-shirt should be a statement of personal self-loathing but I know it to actually be a statement of arrogance. Unfortunately, there are many who live by this personal mantra – “the world is full of idiots”.
However, they will never include themselves in that category. When they are an expert in some area, they are quick to judge the actions of people who do something foolish in that area of expertise and thereby demonstrate that idiots abound. “Did you see that idiot trying to ______________.”
The reality is that they are more correct than they realize. The world is full of idiots. Actually, everyone is an idiot in more categories than they are not.
Can you explain the purpose of the camshaft in an internal combustion engine?
– No? You’re an idiot in mechanics.
Can you list the three components of a framed wall?
– No? You’re an idiot in construction.
Can you define a measure in music?
– No? You’re an idiot in music.
Can you calculate the future worth of an annuity?
– No? You’re an idiot in finance.
Can you list the primary colors?
– No? You’re an idiot in art.
Can you explain the difference between the cerebrum and the cerebellum?
– No? You’re an idiot in medicine.
Can you solve this calculus equation?
– No? You’re an idiot in mathematics.
It takes very little introspection to realize that there are more things that I know less about than those that I know more of. It takes even less introspection to acknowledge that there are many people who know more about every subject that I have the most knowledge of.
Therefore, I am a genius to a few and an idiot to a lot.
Any brilliance that I may have is dwarfed by the extent of my foolishness. If I can’t stand idiots, then I can’t stand the majority of who I am. So, why are we impatient with those who know less about the subjects in which we are most confident?
PRIDE
Those who are quick to point out the foolishness of other people usually do in order to make much of themselves. They excel at degrading other people’s inadequacies because it makes them feel superior. A humble view of the world as a whole should interpret “the world is full of idiots” as a statement of unity. The world is full of idiots and I am chief of the idiots in many areas.
This arrogance of overconfidence has a way of infiltrating our spiritual lives. We can arrogantly give simple solutions to complex problems that will be as helpful as pointing out how foolish someone may be. It may make us feel better about ourselves but does nothing to help the other person.
We can judge a struggling brother or sister for their spiritual failures.
If they only read their Bible as much as I do, then they would mature more in their faith.
If they would only step out in faith like I have, then God would bless them.
If they would only trust God like I do, then they could resist temptations.
We should have compassion for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. They may be making very foolish decisions – we need to pray for them, encourage, and support them to make better decisions. We should not arrogantly point out how idiotic they are. I may not be struggling in the same area as they do but the reality is that I am struggling in other areas that might not be as visible.
Every follower of Christ is maturing in their faith. Since our spiritual maturity is a work of the Spirit from the beginning to the end, there is no place in the body of Christ for spiritual arrogance. The church is full of idiotic people. That is a statement of unity. I am chief in many areas among a foolish and imperfect people.
We foolishly fall short of the perfection that we are called to every single day. Jesus told us that our righteousness has to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees or we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:20)
Do you retaliate when someone does something mean to you?
Do you love and pray for those who are causing you harm?
Do you go above and beyond your obligations?
Do you get angry and irritated?
Do your eyes linger lustfully?
Do you relish your wealth?
Do you want to be seen and made much of?
You are a moral idiot.
I am a moral idiot.
I am incapable of being perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect. I have made so many bad decisions. I continue to make idiotic choices.
That is why I am so thankful that God is patient with idiots like me. I am so thankful that He has provided a perfection that I could not achieve on my own. I am grateful for Christ giving me His righteousness to cover all of my foolishness.
If God is so patient with an idiot like me, should I not be just as patient and gracious with His other children. We need to humble ourselves and patiently endure the foolish, in ourselves and other people, because God can stand idiots – He is doing it right now.
Therefore, let us declare as God does,
CSI:
Can Stand Idiots
PRAYER: O Lord, forgive me for being impatient with those whom you are sanctifying. Forgive me for being critical of those who struggle in areas where you have made me strong. Father, thank you for being patient with me and all of the foolishness that I continue to return to. Lord, continue your work in me. Continue your work in the Church. May we glorify You as we are transformed from our idiotic ways. I pray this in the precious name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
A DEVOTED LIFE 