Knowing Paradoxes Keep Us From Harm

F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function." Paradoxes are two seemingly opposed ideas that are nonetheless true. Understanding paradoxes and that truth is often found in paradoxes is absolutely vital to navigating through life correctly. We will fail to find the fullness and richness of truth if we don't acknowledge that truth is often found in two opposed ideas. Many mistakes and even evils are committed in failing to understand the richness of truth that comes in paradoxes.

For example, if you look at how the devil tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden, you will see that nothing he says is really untrue. He tells Eve that if she eats the forbidden fruit she will not die and he is correct, she doesn't die right away. The death is spiritual and not physical. He tells her that God knows that when she eats the fruit she will have knowledge of good and evil. This is in fact what happens. She comes to know evil in a way God had intended to protect her from. This is the way evil and temptation works. It gives us half-truths. When we come to see truth often comes in paradoxes, we are better equipped to fight against evil.

When the devil tempts Jesus, he does the same thing. The devil says, "If you are the son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." The devil says you are hungry, so use your power to meet your needs. Jesus says, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Jesus says yes we have physical needs, but we have spiritual needs as well. Then the devil switches tactics. He tempts Jesus to throw himself off the parapet of the Temple of Jerusalem so that people will see his miraculous power. The devil then quotes Psalm 91 that God promises to give his angels guard over him lest he dash his foot against a stone. Jesus retorts that it is also written that we are not to put the Lord our God to the test.

Evil or people with evil intentions or even marketers and people trying to get us to buy stuff (but I repeat myself) will try and narrow us in on specific needs or half-truths. Becoming more familiar with the paradoxical nature of truth and that it is often two seemingly opposed ideas can help protect us from falling for the schemes and temptations of the devil. It is part of the renewing of our mind that Paul talks about in Romans 12:1.