Last week, I learned from the news that after the Hong Kong
Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority categorized the “Blue” pages
of the Chinese University student paper a Class 2 indecent publication, a group
of web surfers expressed their displeasure with the ruling by actually starting
a campaign to file complaints with the HKTELA objecting to the Bible as
indecent. This matter makes me contemplate on the responsive behavior of
mankind when they are censured by others.
When that group of students was reproached, they first tried
to justify themselves. Unfortunately, their explanation was adequate only to
themselves. They claimed to be acting as the critics of society, and brought
forth freedom of expression as their shield, but at the core it was nothing
more than an ideology of “egoism”. This kind of self-centeredness does not care
about the feelings of others, but believes that the freedom of the individual
supersedes everything, including the law. This domineering then progresses into
an exaltation of the self, resulting even in acceptance of the ideas of incest,
bestiality etc. When faced with criticism, they do not respond with
introspection, but instead turn around to criticize others for infringing on
their human rights. This in truth is the hypocritical, self-delusional and
deceptive mode of mankind.
Because of the loud voices of opposition to them, they also
employ another tactic. That is to shift the public to another topic of
discussion by directing the focus onto discourse on the Bible. This is
precisely their technique to manipulate politics as well. No wonder it says in
Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who
can understand it?”
The response of mankind to sin is also as Paul points out in
Romans 1:21-32 – “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God
nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish
hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became
fools….since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God,
He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done….they not
only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice
them.”
From this incident I reflected on my own responses when
faced with censure – do I merely justify to my own satisfaction; delude myself
and others; shirk responsibility; and shift focus, or am I willing to be
humble; listen well to the opinions of others; be introspective; and improve
myself so that I am more mature, grown and reformed? Let us all put into
practice the teaching of James 1:9 – “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow
to speak and slow to become angry.“
In another respect, we should really pray earnestly for our
next generation and the education they are receiving. That’s because today’s
education only focuses on the nurturing of skills in order to make money.
Often, the things that concern people just revolve around the confines of
self-satisfaction. To borrow from the words of Taiwanese authoress Chiang Shao
Feng - “We have not seen a real youth for a long time. Those willing to shed
their blood for their age are not to be seen; those willing to shed their tears
for their ideals have become relics; even those willing to shed their sweat for
the sake of duty are hard to find.” We should really put our minds to living
out the word of God, and teach it to our next generation.
Also from this incident, I would like to extol believers to
diligently learn the Bible and equip themselves. For those not belonging to the
Lord will use every means to attack God. We must be aware that the Bible is
God’s word and His revelation. At the same time, it is also an ancient tome,
written against its unique background and arterial interconnections. The Bible
is a factual account of history. We cannot just pick one or two passages for
discussion without regard for the bible’s total assessment of these matters.
That is precisely the abhorrent routine of taking out of context. Furthermore,
we have access to literally millions of Bible commentaries. We should engage in
more thorough research, and join more Sunday schools and Bible studies, so that
we will no longer be a superficial believer who is easily swayed by the
unbelieving winds of the world.
By: Esther Hung