On occasion the Bible quotes people who were neither apostles, prophets, nor priests. They were common, ordinary men who said things that were true. One of the events that comes to mind was the statement of Paul in his sermon on Mars Hill. In making his point about God he said, “…as certain also of your own poets have said” (Acts 17:28). What the poets said was true, and there was no problem in quoting them. Again, the apostle John, speaking by inspiration, wrote a statement from the blind man whom Jesus had healed, and used it as truth. The blind man stated that it was known that God did not hear sinners (John 9:31). This statement needed no correction because it was true!
Citing these two examples, I would like to use some statements of contemporary men who also stated some truths. I do so in the knowledge that it is alright to do those things which the apostles did (Phil. 4:9). These quotations come from the Reader’s Digest (September, 1992, p. 177).
1. Ben Johnson said, “He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity.” How true this is. We frequently think we are strong enough to stand as we should, or do what we are supposed to do, until the moment comes when we are tested to do what is right. Every one of us can remember a time when he knew what he should do, but didn’t do it. He thought he was strong enough to do right, only to discover his weakness when the “chips were down.” It is no wonder that James wrote what he did about temptation: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). Another good lesson is learned!
2. The comedian Milton Berle once said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” If opportunity doesn’t have a place to knock, we need to provide it. That’s why Christians grow and build (2 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 3:10). If we have laid the proper spiritual foundation, and if we have built on it, the life that results will be one of continual opportunity to do the will of the Lord and help other people in the salvation of their souls. If you do not have those opportunities, “build a door.”
3. I like this statement from Bodie Thoene: “Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand.” “Apathy” means a “lack of interest in or desire for activity; indifference; lack of feeling” (Scott Foresman Dictionary, p. 50). I suspect that articles could be written about apathy or indifference. I know of nothing that has done, or is doing, as much harm to the cause of the Lord as this. An author unknown to me said, “An idle mind is the Devil’s workshop.” Both of these ideas state a truth. Paul talked about the young widows in 1 Timothy 5:13: “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not.” One of the reasons the woman of Proverbs 31 was so worthy and commendable was that she ate not “the bread of idleness” (v. 27). Solomon also said that a house collapses “through idleness of the hands” (Eccl. 10:18). The church grows when members work (John 9:4). It not only will cease to grow when we are idle, but Satan will use that idleness to destroy what has been wrought.
4. Josh Billings said, “Solitude is a good place to visit but a poor place to stay.” We all need our “quiet times.” We need to get away from the crowd and confusion. We need time to think and meditate (Ps. 1:2). However, one of the greatest curses to men is loneliness. Out of loneliness comes self-pity, and it is the “justification” which many use for the sins of drinking, drugs, suicide, etc. Ask anyone who has hours of solitude and loneliness if the statement by Billings is not true. They know first-hand the sorrow of solitude. The Hebrew writer said that we should, “consider one another” (Heb. 10:24).
5. Charles Dickens is credited with this statement: “Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes - of which all men have some.” People make two big mistakes: they did not count their blessings and they remember every bad thing that ever happened in their lives. No one denies that bad things happen. However, the bad is endurable when we remember our many blessings. It was heartbreaking to see the loss of physical property in Florida as a result of hurricane Andrew. Many television reports showed the destruction, but as reporters interviewed the owners, their reply was, “At least we are alive.” These people reflect upon their present blessings, and they plan to rebuild instead of wasting away thinking about how it used to be. Paul once stated the importance of forgetting what had passed: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). I still like that old song which says, “Count your many blessings, see what God has done.” I am certain that we will all find that we have more blessings than misfortunes.
I hope that our consideration of these varied quotations will help us in ordering our lives as God would have them to be. We will all be better if we will pause, consider and learn.
- Guardian of Truth, June 15, 1995