According to Its Purpose

There is a saying that we hear a lot lately that says, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” It could be that this expression has become popularized because of the 2011 song by Kelly Clarkson, called “Stronger”, where she uses that line in the chorus. After the breakup of her marriage, in the lyrics, she is trying to show that she will be simply fine without her ex. The film “Conan the Barbarian” also released in 2011 incidentally, also is attributed to having used this quote. Though other songs and films have also used this, it was first used by Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, cultural critic, and philologist, which is according to the dictionary, “an expert in or student of the structure, historical development, and relationships of a language or languages.”  This quote appears in his 1888 book “Twilight of Idols”, in a section called ‘Maxims and Arrows’. This was written over one hundred and thirty-seven years ago! The written and spoken word has the power to live on, far beyond what our wildest imaginations can conceive.

This expression takes on a life of its own in the twenty-first century, as we see in songs and movies, and in our daily lives as well. For example, new weight loss products come out and we throw all caution to the wind and say, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” and we gulp it down, without even taking time to research the founders, the ingredients, origin, or testimonials. On the other side of the coin, we ask runners, bike riders, or swimmers why they put so much arduous effort into their workouts, and they will just shrug and come back at us using the exact same phrase.

Speaking of the new weight loss fads, I have been seeing and hearing a lot about the new ‘salt and ice’ recipe. I wish I could find out more about it, but alas, it is futile. You see a short clip, which says they will reveal the exact recipe to you in 60 seconds if you just select the ‘learn more’ button. You are curious and want the whole spiel so you can try it, so you fall for it, only to find that forty-five minutes later you are still going down a rabbit hole, which eventually leads you to a product they want you to buy! Why? During this long dissertation, which is now just purely annoying, because the first person has misrepresented and lied to you about the time and the recipe, they also give you the tidbit that it must be done exactly, precisely, and specifically to their specifications, or it will not work, but if used properly, you could lose from three to five pounds in a week! Their recipe will take the place of all the prescription drugs that are being sold with the same or better results, but with out the dangerous side effects. I begin to think as I am listening, “Wonderful, let us do this! Please just give me the recipe!”  During all this commotion, one day not too long ago, my brain began to wander, and came up with this thought, “What in the world does ice have to do with it?”

Most everyone we know drinks cold ice drinks often, whether it is ice water or soda pop, yet they may still be as big as a house. What difference could their recipe make? If you had the ingredients for the recipe, why could not you just drink it down with no ice or in a warm cup of coffee? With this question in mind, as we do just about every day of our lives in the twenty-first century, I decided to Google it. The answer I got, when I posed my question to the trusty, rusty internet was, “Drinking cold water forces your body to work slightly harder to bring the liquid up to core temperature—a process called thermogenesis. While the calorie burn is modest, it is real. Cold water can also make you feel fuller and help prevent unnecessary snacking throughout the day.”  Interesting. Without any study yet, my mind went directly from thermogenesis to hypothermia. They are touting the same thing that can kill someone, as being healthy for you. This is how my crazy mind works. So, to dig just a little deeper I pulled up the dictionary.

Merriam Webster’s dictionary helps us decipher these words and their meanings. It says that thermogenesis is, “the production of heat especially in the body (as by oxidation).” “Skunk cabbage accomplishes this through a process known as thermogenesis, or the ability to metabolically generate heat,” says Skylar Knight, of the Smithsonian Magazine. Lauren O’Connor said, “This protein moves calcium through the body, helps muscles relax, and creates heat in the muscles, known as thermogenesis.” “Almonds may increase resting energy expenditure: Like other nuts, almonds contain nutrients such as protein and fiber that may increase thermogenesis (heat production) in the body,” Brittany Lubeck, of Very Well Health stated. “Being cold can increase calorie burn through shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis (heat production). This process is crucial for maintaining internal body temperature and is influenced by various factors including metabolic activity and environmental conditions.” Thermogenesis sounds very beneficial to the human body.

Merriam Webster’s dictionary continues to tell us that hypothermia is, “a subnormal temperature of the body, a reduction of the body temperature to an abnormally low level.” And Hyperthermia is, “an exceptionally high fever especially when induced artificially for therapeutic purposes.” We also see that therm is, “a unit for quantity of heat that equals 100,000 British thermal units or heat”, thermia is, “the state of heat, or generation of heat”, and thermos, “is ‘hot’”,  thermostat, “is an automatic device for regulating temperature (as by controlling the supply of gas or electricity to a heating apparatus), also a similar device for actuating fire alarms or for controlling automatic sprinklers”,  we see these are all related words, originating from the Greek word, “Therme.”  Most Roman buildings or cities have at least one ‘Thermea,’ which is hot springs or warm baths in a public establishment like a gymnasium, appropriate for bathing. Finally, there are thermometers that all mothers with small children rely on, which are, “instruments for determining temperature, specifically ones consisting of a sensor housed in a metal probe that registers a change in electrical resistance as a change in temperature.”

From this rabbit hole we just went down, we can see that if a person’s internal temperature is too hot, it needs cooling down, which could be done by eating ice, putting someone in an ice bath, or placing a cold rag on their forehead or behind their neck; however, if someone’s internal temperature dropped down too low, as when they are exposed to extremely low wind chills or fall into extremely icy water, they could die, unless they are rescued, very quickly brought into a warm environment, and warmed up on the inside and outside. Life is sometimes this way. In those scenarios, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” means that not everything is cut and dried, and that you can learn from your mistakes when you come out on the other side of a problem, issue, or bad circumstance. I guess with the ice trick recipe, they are saying that they have learned that you can purposefully eat ice to cool down the body, just so that the body must work to warm itself back up, which therefore assists in the metabolic process and weight loss is then the byproduct. I see in this instance that knowledge is power; therefore, we should never stop learning.

The birth of the television evolution began in the late nineteenth century; however, the first commercialization of TV sets for home use did not come until the late 1920’s. In certain religious organizations it was viewed as the ‘eye of the devil’ and indeed evil, and the constituents were forbidden to have a television in their home. This was not a brand new concept though, just a horse of another color, because the invention of the radio had come decades before this and was touted as not being wholesome either. The music along with other programming that was seen and heard on these devices were considered shameful and at the very least distracting from the Christian life that they professed. Then came the rapid acceleration of technology. Thanks to Alexander Graham Bell and others, they already had telephones in every home, then came pagers, cassette tape players, eight track players, and radios in every car. Boom boxes, car phones, and computers in every office followed, with at least one Personal Computer (PC), appearing in every home shortly thereafter. Gaming devices and machines of every kind began to crop up, and now we can find a cellphone in the hand of almost every person, starting from birth to death.

Well over a century and a half has passed, of the evolution of these devices, gadgets, and gizmos. Now having knowledge at our fingertips with the invention of the internet since the 1960’s, and more widely the Google search engine, developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin and launched in 1998, we, including religious leaders, have learned that the same thing that could break you could also make you. What could kill you could also be used to heal you. We must not live our lives avoiding things, and living with our heads in the sand, but if we embrace them, we could use them for the good of ourselves, our families, our churches, our organizations, and our world. There are many examples of products that can be used for good and evil, and none of them have to do with the item themselves.

For example, radio, television, phones, and the computer with its internet capabilities, though they do have access to much evil and unwholesome material, we are the ones who control what we set before our eyes, what we listen to, or what we research. There has never been a device that could control itself. The human element is in control, and when we allow the Lord to be in control of our hearts, it will govern how these devices are used. We were made in the image of our Creator, and thus we are innately creative, and this is where these devices stem. Once something comes forth from our creativity, it cannot be denied as an active force; therefore, we do not see these things disappearing but evolving. They have become a part of the world as we know it and how business is conducted, in our homes, churches, communities, and jobs. After all, the invention of the ‘wheel’ has evolved since 3500 BC, into being used for many things that could be used for evil, but it would be ludicrous for us to say that we do not want a car because it might take us to a bar. We are the driver, not visa versa. And spiritually speaking, we say as Carrie Underwood sang, “Jesus take the Wheel” daily.

Let us look at music briefly. It was not created to be evil, but God created the angel Lucifer with the ability to make music, for the purpose of worshipping him. It was only when Lucifer began to think that he was beautiful, and that he could be as God, that he was a force that had to be reckoned with. That reckoning indeed came when God kicked him and a third of the angels out of heaven. Even still, music in and of itself was not evil, but began to be used to exalt the devil instead of God. Satan still has a day of reckoning coming where he and those angels that are roaming around will be cast into the Lake of Fire that God has prepared for them, forevermore. Well, God still longed to be worshipped, so he created mankind. Any hand clapping, toe tapping, or lullaby that we sing at home, or sonata that we might put together for an orchestra to play in a cathedral in front of thousands, is a gift from God, and should be used to bring him praise and worship. We can see throughout the scripture how they used words and instruments to make music to worship before the Lord. If we do not do the same, you can be sure that a day of reckoning will come for us as well. However, music is not evil.

Our religious forefathers were right to admonish us about what we see, read, listen to, and mind the places we go. Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-24, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if your eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  In the day and age we live in, we must be aware that the TV, radio and other devices do have an on and off switch or a channel selector. If we go to the theater, we can control the show we will buy tickets for, and the same goes for any device we may have in our hand or possession. They say true character is seen by what you will do, or say, look at, or listen to, when you are all alone and think no one is watching.

Why do folks like TV evangelists abuse a tool that could be so useful to the saving of souls, by trying to make themselves rich off those who are innocently watching? They are serving mammon and not God. They are trying to bring honor to themselves, with hopes of lining their own pockets, and not using the gifts and talents they have been given to the honor of the Lord. Yet, this does not make the TV or the internet evil, in and of itself. The same are used to help people in need by hospitals, non-profit organizations, and community organizations. We as leaders must realize that righteousness cannot be legislated, but we are only the under shepherds guiding the sheep to the Good Shepherd. He is the one that we rely on and who can change hearts and lives. When we come to know the Lord personally, we will no longer want to be controlled by the things of this world, but we will allow the Master to lead and guide us in everything we do.

Using another couple of quick examples that everyone will relate to might help to drive this point home, are guns and knives. They were invented for the use of hunting and fishing so that men could feed their families. Then they used them to provide shelter, by chopping trees and building dwellings. They used them to clothe themselves by shearing sheep or skinning animals and using their pelts for clothes, blankets, shoes, instruments, cooking utensils, and more. Every part of the animal was used for the benefit of the family, which could not have been achieved as easily without the proper weapons. What a noble and worthy cause. Yet, now, we are hearing people say we should not be allowed to have guns nor knives because the kill people. That is as crazy as saying we no longer need forks to eat with, because it will stab us in the mouth. The choice of killing lies in the heart of the person holding the gun or knife. If there is evil intent in their heart, anything within proximity can be used as a weapon, as we all know from the movies we have seen. The pen that is a device made for writing is stabbed into the neck of the perpetrator. Now, should we not be allowed to have pens?

We should not be looking for evil around every corner, but for the good in ourselves and others. Not everyone with a gun is a murderer, they may be the ones who are around someday to defend and protect you in your time of need. Though we do not hunt as much as we did centuries ago, knives may still be untold uses today. We might use them to cut fruit and vegetables, or to perform a much needed surgery to save someone’s life. Not everyone that takes pills is a drug addict, they may need them for their health’s sake. The exact same products can be used for the intended purpose, for good, or for evil in a destructive manner, no matter what it is.

Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Each piece of armor has its purpose, but they could all be misused. We must be careful to use them correctly, especially the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. It is our offensive weapon against our enemy, but a tool for precision and healing for a wounded comrade or a lost soul.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Yes, it is sharp, but if you use it to cut people down with, what good have you done? 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  We should educate ourselves as to what we have in our hands, and what the intended use of the item is. Knowledge is power and nothing is evil in and of itself. Be the one on the scene of an accident who knows CPR, the one with a kind word to a discouraged person at work, or a life line to someone drowning. Do not put your gifts and talents aside on a shelf to collect dust because you are afraid you might be caught up in an evil deed willy nilly.

Proverbs 3:1-10 gives us this beautiful admonishment with promise, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So, shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

James 3:10 says, “Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”  You can be kind to someone just as easily as you can be hateful. They are both free. You can write an uplifting message of hope to someone with the same ink and paper that could be used for a nasty letter. An advertiser can sell a beautiful car without having a scantily clad woman on the billboard. If we get caught up in the middle of something that is out of our control, Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  God knows the intents and motives of our heart. We must choose to do the right thing and use the gifts, talents, and abilities we have been given for their intended purpose, which is to the Glory of God, and He will direct our paths.