“A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understand, he will not answer.”
Proverbs 29:19
The United States is 160 years removed from the visible social concept of slavery. The paradigm of the buying and selling of people’s bodies provides a sharp realization of two paradoxes. One is barbarism- where one human does not fully value another. This ideology is completely condemned by the Bible:
“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient,… For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers.”
1 Timothy 1:9a,10a
“And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.”
Exodus 21:16
The Bible condemns forcible slavery in both Old and New Testaments as a bane of civil society.
Now, the other side of this topic is a beautiful picture of loyalty- where one human so fully understands and values another that a life of servitude to that person becomes their heartbeat:
“And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then… he shall serve him forever.”
Exodus 21:5, 6b
“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved,”
Philemon 1:15-16
The Bible displays the affection that a good master and a willing servant may enjoy, which is much becoming of a good family and a decent society.
It is accurate (and an understatement) to say that there are contrary views of slavery amongst Christians. It is also apparent that there are polarizing opinions of it still alive and well in the world today, not just in the ‘North’ and the ‘South’ in America. The sad actuality because of these summed up is, “My view is right no matter what you say, and I will not entertain a disagreement.”
Slavery of the Mind
I bring this hot topic to your attention today, to lay our Scripture to our hearts. The sign of a slave is their inability to debate what they believe. They simply cannot tolerate a debate against what they believe at all.
The issue of slavery reveals the attitude of slavery. Because the issue is so divisive, people still to this day cannot have civil, objective conversations without their emotions swaying them one way or another. They are not free to learn something new, because they have sold themselves on their opinion being right, and everyone else is wrong.
Indentured Youth
In 2023, a survey was taken of juvenile offenders under the age of 18. The youths were asked if they had, in the last year of their lives, sat down to a 10 minute conversation with an adult about a life issue (morality, spirituality, or about a trade or life skill).
The survey discovered that 80% of juveniles interviewed had not had a 10 minute conversation with an adult (outside of the prison system) in the past year. This 80% also said they could not remember ever having a serious conversation with an adult. The remaining 20% who had a conversation with an adult claimed it was a grandparent or state-appointed caseworkers, not their mother or father.
Only 40% of the group surveyed said they felt they knew an adult well enough to have a conversation with them if needed. Outside of the jail, 100% of them had never had somebody disagree with them on their belief about God.
Are these young people likely to take instruction or correction very well? Do you think they will be ‘tolerant’ of opposing viewpoints? My first-hand experience is that they will not listen to it, because they cannot fathom the idea that they are mistaken. Nobody has ever told them, “You are wrong, and here’s why.”
We all have met a hard-headed adult. But society is raising a particularly hardened brood of children who can’t stand to hear both sides of a story. They are slaves of their own ideology.
“A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understand, he will not answer.”
Proverb 29:19
Freedom of Thought
A person who believes the Bible does not need to be afraid to hear a contrary opinion. The Bible says, “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:28) When any person- no matter their profession, background, specialty, or preferences- refuses to conversate with you because you disagree with them: beware! You are not dealing with a free-thinker. That person is a slave to their religion.
Paul said, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty where with Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 6:1) A believer is not instructed to isolate himself from the world, he is encouraged to engage the world and its variety of viewpoints. The Bible-believing Christian can stand in the truth, defend his ground, and challenge the posits of deception that ooze from every outlet.
“I was raised a Catholic.”
“Baptists traditionally believe…”
“We have always been taught that…”
“In school we learned…”
God says: “Proclaim liberty to the captives”
You are a freeman among bondslaves. Your mission is to take the emancipating truths from the Bible and set people free from their thoughts, their traditions, and ultimately from their sins.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32
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