How to Change the World

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Think… This is one thing we have stopped doing. Many people don’t think for themselves any more. There is a quote by Nelson Mandela that I had on my computer. “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” It was a reminder of why I thought I loved teaching. There is a lot of truth in this statement but there are also a lot of caveats. Whose education? How do you disburse said education? When is it most important to use education as a weapon? Which education should you use? Why would education ever be considered a weapon in the first place? You see what I mean about caveats. The more I think about this, I more I realize that it may not be such a great quote after all unless, you look at it through a Biblical education.

I realized when I thought about it from the perspective of Bible teachings, the statement is absolutely true. It sounds so simple. When we educate ourselves in the basic principles and doctrines of the Bibles then we truly can change the world, one soul at a time. When the Bible is our Encyclopedia and dictionary, then we can find the answers to most of life’s problems by simply learning what is written on the pages of the oldest book in existence. We disburse it by living it and speaking it and when everything you think, say, and do is passed through this kind of education, then it’s easy to see the answer. Why should we use it as a weapon? Because God’s Word is the armor and the only weapon that can fight against the forces of Satan and the evil he throws out.

Education and religion used to always be the bedrock of a community. Back when this country was being built and new towns would spring up, the church and school would soon be built. Usually the building was used for both, as well as a gathering place for the community. And though our politicians always use education as a talking point, they never talk about what that education should consist of. Please don’t think I am bashing teachers here, as I was one of them.

I am very thankful that I did not witness the unabashed brainwashing that is taking place in some school districts nowadays. Thank the Lord, I went into the profession as a Christian and tried to use my classroom to prepare students to become contributing participants in our community. Some may think that “Brainwashing” is a strong term but how else do we explain the absolute breakdown of one of the most fundamental building blocks in our country? Brainwashing is defined as “the process of pressuring someone into adopting radically different beliefs by using systematic and often forcible means.” Does this sound like anything we have seen in the last 20 years or even the last 2? I’ll leave you with this.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.