Delusion Coercion
In the midst of bemoaning the universal problem of human sinfulness in Ecclesiastes 7:19-29, “the Preacher” says that he has tested the matter by wisdom, “but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?” The prophet Jeremiah makes the same observation about the futility of trying to understand what compels us to sin against our Creator, declaring that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer 17:9). Despite what our self-serving, lawless culture insists, nothing could be more foolish than to “just follow your heart,” for apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit through the Word, your sinful heart is certain to lead you astray from truth and righteousness.
Imagine how “the Preacher” would respond to the cultural conversations of the last few weeks. On March 13, USA Today declared a man (formerly known as Dr. Richard Levine) to be one of their 2022 “Women of the Year,” encouraging all people to likewise “be true to yourself”. On March 17, the NCAA crowned a man (who formerly competed on the men’s team as Will Thomas) as the women’s swimming champion. On March 23, while sitting before the judiciary committee of the US Senate, Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson announced that she was unable to define what a woman is, saying “I’m not a biologist”.
Speaking on behalf of “Lady Folly” as they call to those going straight on their way (Prov 9:13-18), the cultural elites are determined to coerce you into joining in this mass delusion that labels men as women while refusing to define what the label “woman” actually means, though all humans know this instinctively (Rom 1:24-32; 2:14-15; cf. Deut 22:5). To be a Christian is to speak with the voice of “Lady Wisdom,” calling fellow sinners to “abandon your foolishness and live, and proceed in the way of understanding” (Prov 9:6). Because the pleasure offered by sin is a trap “more bitter than death” (Eccl 7:26), love speaks truth, directing all people to the One who is Himself the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6).
