Educated or Enlightened?
Epictetus, who lived from A.D. 55 to about A.D. 135,
said, "Only the educated are 'liberated'."
Admittedly, there is truth in what Epictetus said. For
one thing, dictators don't want the people under them
to be educated. Dictators control people through
ignorance and fear. If the people were educated, and
especially if they were enlightened, there would be
greatly increased rebellion. This is one reason why it
is important that people everywhere are educated--or at
least enlightened.
Why enlightened? Because there are millions of
educated fools and highly educated criminals, but one
would hardly call these people enlightened. These
people are "en-darkened." As Jesus said, "Everyone who
does evil hates the light, and will not come into the
light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
Education, as important as it is, in and of itself
does not give one wisdom, understanding, moral
character, or make one enlightened.
In God's Word darkness is symbolic of evil while light
is symbolic of truth. To be enlightened, we need to
"walk in the light;" that is walk in truth, openness
and honesty. For only the truth liberates people. As
Jesus also said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are
really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you at liberty.
So the question is, are you/we enlightened?
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you again for your
Word that teaches me how to become enlightened. Help
me always to walk in the light and become not only
enlightened, but also find true freedom. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."
Find God, know God, spiritual help, life help, answer to prayer and history of Christiain religion : Actsweb
Epictetus, who lived from A.D. 55 to about A.D. 135,
said, "Only the educated are 'liberated'."
Admittedly, there is truth in what Epictetus said. For
one thing, dictators don't want the people under them
to be educated. Dictators control people through
ignorance and fear. If the people were educated, and
especially if they were enlightened, there would be
greatly increased rebellion. This is one reason why it
is important that people everywhere are educated--or at
least enlightened.
Why enlightened? Because there are millions of
educated fools and highly educated criminals, but one
would hardly call these people enlightened. These
people are "en-darkened." As Jesus said, "Everyone who
does evil hates the light, and will not come into the
light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
Education, as important as it is, in and of itself
does not give one wisdom, understanding, moral
character, or make one enlightened.
In God's Word darkness is symbolic of evil while light
is symbolic of truth. To be enlightened, we need to
"walk in the light;" that is walk in truth, openness
and honesty. For only the truth liberates people. As
Jesus also said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are
really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you at liberty.
So the question is, are you/we enlightened?
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you again for your
Word that teaches me how to become enlightened. Help
me always to walk in the light and become not only
enlightened, but also find true freedom. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."
Find God, know God, spiritual help, life help, answer to prayer and history of Christiain religion : Actsweb
