Don’t Behave Like a Wild Animal
We were all born on a level playing field. The book of Job explains it pretty humorously. It’s two things. We are vain and we were born like a wild ass’s colt. LOL. Richmond likes to refer to that when he teaches. Here is the passage: For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. (Job 11:11-12) I came across this description of a wild ass’s colt: untamable, free-roaming, stubborn and born wild. It’s why Jesus had to come and die for us.
Notice how the Bible combines vain man with a wild ass’s colt. It’s a composite of our natural state. A vain disposition leads to wild-ass’s-colt behavior. The question is, can born-again believers be like this? Indeed we can. So let’s look at these verses:
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (Ps. 94:11) Our natural thoughts are vain. Our natural thinking and reasoning aren’t anything like God’s. (See Isa. 55:8-9) And so it’s only natural that left to our vain thoughts, we will have vain opinions, words and actions.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. (Eph. 4:17) We are instructed not to walk (or behave) like unbelievers… in the vanity of our mind. A former pastor of ours used to like to say, “My opinion and a dime won’t buy you a cup of coffee.” Let’s not entertain vain, wild ass’s colt thoughts, opinions and actions.
If we’re not reading, studying and paying attention to biblical truth, we are likely headed down a spiritually useless path. Otherwise, the apostle Paul wouldn’t have warned believers not to walk in the vanity of our mind.
In these last days, we have plenty of vain-thinking fodder from natural “wild ass’s colts.” When have we ever had easier access to such a flood of random, empty thoughts? It’s the stuff of social media, where opinions are cheap and endlessly available.
I, for one, am weary of references to “the ladies on The View” presented on news programs –left and right—as a springboard into further useless ranting.
The Apostle Paul gives us a great list of thoughts that aren’t vain that are worth thinking on. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8) We don’t even have to pray about this.
Right thoughts based on God’s truth is a choice. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Ps. 10:4) Let’s steer our ship correctly with the help of the Word and Spirit of God.
By the way, if you have a Bible study app on your phone or computer that has “The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge” (TSK) with its extensive cross references, look up Ps. 94:11 (above) and follow those cross references. It’s rich.
R&J Shee