In An Essay on Criticism written in 1709 by the English poet Alexander Pope, he coined the phrase, “For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” He was speaking to literary critics of his time but this ageless quote still has significance today. We need only to turn on the TV or search the internet for news to see the same foolish actions prominently displayed.
After the discovery of the 13 Turpin children held captive in tortuous conditions, California lawmakers called for stricter regulations for homeschoolers. “One California lawmaker has floated the idea of requiring annual walk-throughs of home schools by state or county officials because of the case and ‘a number of legislators have expressed interest in doing something,’ the HomeSchool Association of California said in a statement” (time.com).
And concerning the recent school shooting, “Hours after the shooting in Kentucky, Republican State Senator Steve West rushed to file a bill that would allow Kentucky schools to have armed school marshals patrol the site. His bill joins another in the state which seeks to loosen gun restrictions around college campuses” (bbc.com).
Efforts to fix these problems, whether from good intentions or the desire to exploit for political gain, won’t fix the evil. All are misguided attempts to repair what cannot be fixed by man. Mankind rarely seeks to address the true cause of its misery.
Satan stirs the waters like a fisherman throwing out bait, and mankind jumps to it with ravenous hunger. What Satan spreads is foolishness. Solomon wrote, “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness” (Proverbs 15:14). No problem can ever be truly solved by using Satanic guidance and motivation. Murder won’t stop—it only grows worse. The breakdown of God’s key foundation, the family, is continuously being eroded.
It can be astounding watching these events unfold, wondering how mankind continues to choose wrong instead of right. Again, Solomon addressed this mindset stating, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). We see through “godly” eyes. In these tumultuous end-times, the blessing of His Holy Spirit within each of us cannot be taken for granted. Solomon also stated, “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe” (Proverbs 28:26). Keep your spiritual eyes opened! God’s understanding will light a path through which each of us can safely pass.
