Ten really dumb ideas of mankind: #1

"What's the use? Life is futile, nothing will turn out right." This really is a dumb and very sad idea. Many people have this approach to life and are overcome with a feeling of hopelessness and futility. And, this is not a new phenomenon.

Solomon, King of ancient Israel, a man who was given the gift of great wisdom, wrote about it in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter one: "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again. All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun."

With all of his fabulous wealth and power, Solomon became discouraged, even suicidal: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered" (vv. 14-15). "Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind" (Ecclesiastes 2:17).

If we focus only on the physical, it can happen to us, as well. But, it shouldn't!

The Apostle Paul knew that God has something beyond our understanding in store for us. "But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him'" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Your life, your labor is not futile, but is part of God's great plan for all mankind. Again, Paul wrote about it eloquently: "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?'" (1 Corinthians 15:51-55).

Paul ended this inspiring passage with words that should be very encouraging to all of us: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (v. 58).

So, there you have them; ten really dumb ideas that have caused mankind much trouble, heartache and pain down through history – ideas that may sound good or be popular, but which don't agree with the immutable laws of the Creator God.

Thankfully, we have ten great ideas called the Ten Commandments, by which all other ideas are judged. Isaiah put it into perspective when he was inspired to write, "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20).

As new ideas are put forth, always shine the light of God's Word on them. Accept the good ones and be on guard against really dumb ideas.

We offer you our beautiful flagship booklet entitled The Ten Commandments, totally free of charge.

Entire List of Dumb Ideas:

1. Life is futile
2. It takes a village
3. "It's the economy, stupid!"
4. Political Correctness
5. Animal Rights
6. Give us a king!
7. Sexual Misconduct
8. Theory of Evolution
9. Nothing is sacred
10. There is good in all religion