Just because a phrase is catchy or clever doesn’t mean it’s true or helpful. In the social media age, it’s pretty standard to see posts and memes with witty one-liners, and videos of discussions often focus on “gotcha” moments. But to discern truth, we must be willing to dig deeper, and frequently we might find that what appears to be wise is actually foolish. While social media might be new, this truth isn’t.
The Book of Job recounts Job’s suffering and how his three friends responded to and counseled him. Job’s friends thought they were quite wise in their advice. At one point, however, Job says, “Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.”[1]
Don’t believe something, and definitely don’t repeat or teach something, just because it sounds wise. Use God’s Word as a guide and ensure you heed and teach genuine truth, not proverbs of ashes that are helpless if not dangerous.
[1] Job 12:13