From: Ben Kelley
Subject: The myth of Survivor
I confess I have never watched
the very popular television show called "Survivor." I have seen bits of
the clips advertising the show. Since God gave me the thought
for this message, I have researched what it is all about, reading the
challenges, outcomes, winners, and comments from both audience and
participants.
I've learned the popularity it enjoys has spawned spin-offs, fantasy games, an
Internet talk show, and online stores selling "Survivor" clothing and
gear. All of this research tells me people enjoy watching other people:
plotting against their fellow contestants, undermining their
chances of winning, acting "tough," and doing "whatever it takes"
to win. It also gives those who, although they don't admit to liking
it, a "legitimate" opportunity to look at well shaped men/women in
revealing clothing, as did shows like "Bay Watch." (Do not
allow Satan to lull you into sin! "Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour:" 1 Peter 5:8))
The most dangerous thing about
this show is that it reinforces the worldly, as opposed to God's, viewpoint on
success. If you want to win, be successful, get ahead, etc., you have to
be a "survivor," one who does "whatever it takes." Plotting, scheming,
lying, using your "natural abilities," all of these things are portrayed as the
way to "survive." These actions also imply that you know what needs
to happen and you are the one who can do something about it.
None of these things are true. All of them run counter to
God's Word, as stated in such verses as:
"Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that
seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened."
(Matthew
7:7-8)
"Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to
them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12)
"Likewise the Spirit
also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for
as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered." (Romans
8:26)
The passage of Scripture that
first brought this message to mind, though, is Exodus 13, where God told
Moses to send men into the land HE had told them they would be given. When
they came back, they began their report with: "And
they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and
surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of
it." (Numbers 13:26) In other words, "yes, it is exactly as God said it would be. He
told us the truth." Then they proceeded to add (in my version) "but,
the people there look scary! We're not sure we can depend on God to give
us victory over them, like HE said HE would. What if they're too much for
us?" They
thought they knew better than God, and that their success depended on
them, if they were going to "survive." They went into
"survivor mode." The following verses tell us all
the people listened to them and wept, accusing Moses, Aaron, and by
implication, God, of leading them out of Egypt just to die. They said "it's
better for us to pick a new leader and go back to Egypt." Joshua and Caleb
begged the people to not rebel against the
LORD. They said HE would give the victory, just as HE
had promised. (Numbers 14). The people wanted to stone them to death
for preaching that God was their defense and victory.
All of them went with the "Survivor" theory.
Does the "Survivor" theory
work, as it is portrayed by this show? Let Scripture answer with God's
response- "And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron,
saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against
me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur
against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have
spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcasses shall fall in this
wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number,
from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against
me" (Numbers 14:26-29) The following chapters show us that all those in "Survivor" mode
did die in the wilderness. Those who trusted in "Survivor"
did not survive!
Jesus said, on at least two
separate occasions: "For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life
for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke
9:24)
"Whosoever shall seek to
save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall
lose his life shall preserve it." (Luke
17:33)
We are God's
people, chosen by Him before the foundation of the world. We say we have
put our faith and trust in Him, and Him alone.
Should we, therefore, then practice faith in His
promises, or, should we rely upon our "instincts" for
survival?
Ben