We are not taught from our youth to be cognizant, reasoning individuals who have the ability to use deductive forward-thinking skills, we are taught to obey. What is placed on the chalkboard is what we are required, using their words, to remember, and tomorrow, we will be required to recall them for the purpose of showing us where we stand in this ability.
Without obedience, there is disarray, confusion, and of course the inverse, disobedience, and so the structure from a very early age must be one of commitment to the truth as those who are teaching it have defined it to be. Conform or be ostracized, the questioning of these supposed truths is not only frowned upon, but can have consequences, some of them severe, for those in authority are not there to be questioned, they are there to be obeyed, and here is the opening door to sin.
Far too many times, when a person in authority receives a question, they do not hear it as if from one they perceive as an inquisitive mind, but as a challenge to their authority, it is not their place to be questioned, but be accepted as above, in certain formations of the word, those whom they see as beneath them. “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him.” (Luke 14:8) Pride of course is at the foundation of these individuals, and each and every weapon they possess will be employed to belittle the questioner of their knowledge.
In the most formative years this is most generally quite easy to accomplish, it is a form of brainwashing, if you will, one that is intended for the young to “learn their place,” but using the words “respect your elders” as a more politically correct terminology. It is quite easily recognizable, for those in the classroom setting that are seen as inquisitive, “smart” if you will, are intentionally belittled in subtle ways by the supposed “teacher of knowledge,” and in more open ways by their own peers. And so sin is double fed, the recipient, even when in all innocence was only seeking for more knowledge, feels the stings of being ostracized, and in most cases the inquisitive one will begin to dumb themselves down so as to fit in.
When those who are our superiors in the work force are questioned on why the orders and demands have been set before an them, they immediately place a defensive mechanism in front of them, for most believe that it is their character, their motives, indeed their very integrity that is being questioned, what was taught in youth is carried over efficiently throughout life for most, do not question authority, simply obey. Those who desire power over people will find it quite easy to obtain, whether it be one who writes the laws for an entire nation, or the man who beats his wife and children, all can be made to obey in one form or another, all that is necessary is that the individual is informed and realizes the punishment if they do not. In the most basic of terminologies my friends, it is called climbing the ladder, and to climb it well, one must not have any trepidations about stepping on people.
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” (Prov. 15:33) “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matt. 23:12) I fear that quite a few Christians allow this earthly taught sinful, in fact evil practice, to carry over into their spiritual life, specifically their walk with Christ and obedience to Him, in fact I know it to be truth, for if it were not so, you would find few if any churches and religious organizations on this planet that had traditions after the manner of men, but being taught as the precepts of God, as it was in the days of Christ, (Isaiah 29:13)so it is now, but today it is exponentially worse.
There is not one question that you can ask of God that will inflame or infuriate Him, He remembers we are dust, (Psalm 103:14) the questions must simply be asked in such a way that does not question His Sovereign authority, for no man can take God to court. (Job 9:33) The lengthy trial, if you will, of Job to the simple question of Abraham, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25) Our Lord understands full well those who are questioning His authority and those who are questioning because they want to know more of Him, and the latter are blessed far above the former.
It is impossible to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord without questioning, in fact those who follow blindly can give little reason for their faith, those who simply, “do as they are told,” will show little love for the One who gave all for us, if there is one thing our Lord loves it is the inquisitive mind, the one who seeks out the treasure house of His word, the one who questions only for the reason to glorify His name even greater. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Eph. 3:19) No life is worth living unless the reason for its existence is questioned, and you will find no greater teacher than the Lord our God.
