The Noise of Our Opinions

If this content resonates with you, share your thoughts in the comments below.

I rarely hear Christians and unbelievers share the same sentiment. But lately, everywhere I go, I hear people voicing growing unease about the state of our world.

This global unrest is ironic, given that many historians and social scientists cite this period as one of the most prosperous in world history. Global statistics confirm that this Contemporary Period (also called the Long Peace) from 1945 until the present day is a time of less poverty, greater prosperity, more accessible education, higher literacy rates, better overall health and healthcare, more civil liberties, greater freedom, less violence, and fewer wars throughout the world.

So, what’s the problem? Why is our world in such turmoil? Why does it seem harder than ever to find rest and peace?

Well, it’s impossible to pinpoint one crisis in particular that is driving this global unrest. There’s literally a plethora of divisive problems that presently plague our world. And it’s not just these problems that are breeding unrest; it’s the constant discussion and debate over these various issues – via every imaginable online news and social media site.

Never in history have so many people had so much information thrown at them, and never in history have propaganda and manipulation been so hard to detect, discern, and destroy. It’s almost impossible to find the basic facts of any current issue, possibly even harder than discovering the proverbial needle in the haystack.

The topics of the day and the bickering over them are endless. We hear constant concerns voiced over the price of gas, the state of affairs in the Middle East, the mistrust of medical science, the immigration dilemma, the ever-widening political chasm, the confusion over gender and sexuality, the disturbing trends in familial crime (and crime, in general), the lack of racial harmony, and the alarming, quickly growing power of artificial intelligence.

Though a unified reason behind our joint feeling of concern is often hard to put in words, I keep hearing one similar statement rise from these shared worries: “It feels like something really big and bad is about to take place.”

Truthfully, I’ve tried to keep this thought to myself because it does sound kind of paranoid and crazy. I did verbalize agreement when two close friends broached the topic with me on separate occasions.

But my conversation on the subject remained largely internal until recently, when I read a social media exchange between two men that I greatly admire. Both men love God with their hearts and their lives. They make Him the daily center of their prestigious professional careers – and their beliefs are displayed constantly in their care for the people they serve.

Also keep in mind that they did not actually discuss this growing feeling of universal unease. Instead, these two mighty men discussed some of the actual issues behind our global worries, such as abortion, immigration, healthcare, violent crime, etc. Their main discussion, though, centered on personal thoughts and approaches to these particular social problems. And right there in the middle of their obviously different opinions, my own thoughts finally found a voice – an absolutely panicked voice, if the truth be told.

Why? Well, there were two of my heroes, both gifted writers, and it was obvious each of them spent valuable time assessing these problems before sharing their thoughts online. The dichotomy of their brilliant and opposing thoughts was amazing to read. Both men were passionate and caring – as I fully expected – and each of these great men of God spoke with eloquence and beauty about the specific reasons for their differing beliefs on how to approach and solve these important cultural issues.

And yet … both men totally missed the mark.

In fact, I wanted to scream at them both at the top of my lungs. I wondered how two of the brightest minds I have ever encountered could be so oblivious to the futility of their words. I had expected more from them; I wanted them to offer real hope.

Shame on me! I should have known better.

For no man or woman from any party or policy or religious affiliation will ever solve the world’s woes on their own. No matter how well-meaning or servant-minded, no matter how wisely thought-out or researched, man’s answers will forever fall short.

Nothing and no one will ever solve the problems of our society except Jesus Christ. Because, at the core, our world problems are the same as our personal problems. Our main problem has always been and always will be a SIN problem.

Be it abortion, sexuality, health, wealth, or politics – every problem we encounter, and every divide we face, originates from man’s sinful nature. We are the problem. Thankfully, though, God already sent the answer to that problem. His name is Jesus.

But somehow, Christians, me included, keep leaving Christ out of the equation when we are seeking viable solutions to today’s problems. Our online sparring and finger-pointing result in nothing more than a continual cycle of discussion, disagreement, reproof, and debate – with no real change ever coming.

Sadly, we keep hopelessly searching for political solutions to sin-based problems, and in the process, we ignore the one and only real answer to every problem we face.

I love how Dr. Tony Evans addresses the absolute simplicity of that soul-saving, world-changing solution in his book called Kingdom Politics:

“It astounds me that in all the talk permeating the airwaves, around watercoolers, over dinners, and among Christian friends concerning the elections, candidates, parties, and platforms – how little a biblically based theistic worldview seems to enter the equation. God may get dropped in here or there on one issue, or perhaps two. But that is not good enough.”

Yep, it’s time to open the only book with real and lasting answers to our world’s woes.

As Dr. Evans so aptly puts it, “The same Bible that provides guidance and directions for how individuals, families, and churches ought to operate also gives clarity on how nations are to function politically.”

For those needing a second opinion from that of the good doctor, James 1:5 advises, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Before it’s eternally too late for our world, we need to seek the only opinion that matters: God’s opinion.

Please Note: We moderate all reader comments, usually within 24 hours of posting (longer on weekends). Please limit your comment to 300 words or less and ensure it addresses the content. Comments that contain a link (URL), an inordinate number of words in ALL CAPS, rude remarks directed at the author or other readers, or profanity/vulgarity will not be approved.