The Sideshow Alley of the Mind

A CALL TO WISDOM IN A DISTRACTED AGE

Walk down the sideshow alley of a fair or a carnival, and you meet masses of people and an explosion of sights, sounds, and smells. Every attraction competes for your attention, and after successfully grabbing your attention, grabbing the contents of your wallet soon follows. The attractions are not deep or meaningful — they are instant enticements to relieve you of your money in return for a very short-term hit of “fun”.

A child wants to sample every treat, every ride, and every strange sideshow. However, today, we and our children don’t just visit Sideshow Alley; we live there. A thousand things cry out for our attention constantly, and each one is carefully designed to influence the human brain, mostly for the purpose of distraction from reality through the form of fun, amusement or the promise of an improved life experience of some kind.

 

A CULTURE OF DISTRACTION

 

In 1985, Neil Postman wrote a book called  “Amusing Ourselves to Death”, in which he concluded that America (and we say the entire Western world) was drifting toward what another famous writer, Aldous Huxley, described in his book, Brave New World, as a time when truth becomes irrelevant because people prefer amusement.

Neil Postman wrote this insightful passage:

“Orwell feared those who would ban books. Huxley feared there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture. In 1984, Huxley added, “people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us”. ~Neil Postman

 

Television was the threat back then, but today, social media, smartphones, and gaming have incredibly amplified the problem. Attention spans have, and continue to, shrink. Nowadays, even that which is entertaining turns quickly to boredom, demanding ever more and increased levels of fun and entertainment to take up the slack and keep us interested.

Debate has become shallow and meaningless, while the deeper subjects of life and death have become taboo for fear of upsetting somebody’s sensitivity. Insults replace arguments, and fantasy has replaced fact.

Now, today, we are deeper into this terrible brain experiment, and many who were once avid book readers struggle to read more than a paragraph of even a news story that interests them. On social media, people discuss important issues, but usually at the shallowest of levels, seldom caring whether it makes sense or not. Someone poses a delusional or illogical question on social media, and then says, “I’ll wait,” as if their “logic” can’t possibly be disproved because, in their own mind, what they have just said is the smartest thing that can be known about the subject. Insults are common and used as proof of a position.

As Neil Postman said, “We are getting sillier by the minute.”

Like children wandering through Sideshow Alley, we have become addicted to instant enticement rather than thoughtful persuasion.

 

RETURN TO READING

 

It’s time to read again.

We need to let our children see us read. Visit libraries and bookstores. Most of all, read the Bible.

When waiting for a friend or sitting in an office, our default should perhaps not be social media. One blessing of smartphones is that the Bible is always available. Open God’s Word and let Him speak. Read a little when you can — and also indulge in long sessions. Ask questions. Marvel at its wonders. Puzzle over its mysteries. Find real answers.

In a world saturated with bright, noisy distractions, stop. Focus on God. His desire is clearly stated in 1 Timothy 2:4: Who [God] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

and

Colossians 2:2-3

That their [that’s us] hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

FOOLISHNESS AND ATHEISM

 

Atheism is not new, nor is the misuse of Psalm 14:1:

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

God is not name‑calling. The Bible defines a fool in Proverbs 1:7:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

A foolish man thinks he knows everything and still lacks understanding.

Atheists often lift themselves up as those who “know.” But what they cannot see is that to claim God does not exist, they must claim to know everything, absolutely everything, about everything. How was the impossibly complex human eye formed from nothing, randomly, and what was it’s purpose before it was formed. Was it in an already perfectly formed body with all the incalulatable support systems already in place, just waiting for the eye to form before connecting in through more impossibly complex systems to the brain and nervous system, that, of course, were already somehow formed?

This is clearly unreasonable and ridiculous — even aside from the fact that God is invisible and existed before the world, outside matter, energy and time, (John 1:1).

Their explanations of origins, morality, and value collapse under scrutiny. It is foolishness in the extreme.

 

CHRISTIAN FOOLISHNESS

 

Not all fools are atheists. Many Christians behave foolishly. Paul rebuked the Galatian Christians in Galatians 3:1,

“O foolish Galatians…”

And the Ephesians in Ephesians 5:15:

“Walk… not as fools, but as wise.”

Christian fools reject doctrinal study to follow what “God put in their heart.” They look for God’s will and His advice to them through endless signs and in their daily circumstances and even in the weather and the environment. They seek emotion instead of understanding:

In Proverbs 18:2, we see this,

“A fool hath no delight in understanding…”

Both atheists and foolish Christians have left the Bible and their brains in the basement. But foolish Christians harm the gospel more than atheists do.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:38

“Let them be.”

In other words, leave them alone.

Intelligent, doctrinal Christianity makes atheism crumble. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth into its correct contexts and dispensations is a step in the right direction.

We need to pick up our Bible and turn on our brains.

 

THE NATURAL MAN

 

The natural man — the man without Christ — thinks wisdom comes from philosophy and science. He sees the preaching of the cross as foolishness, as we see in 1 Corinthians 1:18. But Scripture is inspired by the Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16 says,

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

It is impossible for the natural man, the man who rejects even the idea of a reality outside the “see, feel and touch,” to receive the things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14,

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The natural man may even study the Bible academically, but without faith, he cannot know its spiritual truths. He does not receive the Bible as God’s Word (1 Thessalonians 2:13). He lacks the Spirit needed for discernment (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Only by trusting the gospel is a new man regenerated (Titus 3:5). Then spiritual realities become knowable — the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:2‑8), the quickening of the Spirit (Romans 8:9‑11), heavenly affections (Colossians 3:1‑4), and walking in Christ (Colossians 2:6‑7).

Ignorance is curable: trust the power of God unto salvation.

 

THE SHORTCUT TO WISDOM

 

Wisdom comes from three sources:

1. Parents or other people
2. Personal experience
3. The Bible

Young orphans with no Bible are disadvantaged. Elders with a Bible should be treasure chests.

If we lack wise mentors, read the writings of wise men. If we lack experience, work and be patient, but never avoid the Bible:

1 Corinthians 1:25  reveals,

“The foolishness of God is wiser than men…”

What seems to be foolishness on God’s part, in the eyes of men, is actually wiser than men at their very best. What seems to be weakness on God’s part, in the eyes of men, is stronger than anything that men can produce.

The Bible is a shortcut to wisdom — but only if rightly divided according to the method of Bible study shown in 2 Timothy 2:15-16,

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Failure to rightly divide the Word of truth leads to a long, dark road guided by blind faith.

We need to learn to use the Bible properly and then live in its wisdom, for it’s the wisdom of God.

 

TRUTH IN A CULTURE OF RELATIVISM

 

The majority of people now believe that each person determines their own truth.

Pontius Pilate, before authorising the crucifixion of Jesus, asked in John 16:38, “What is truth?”

The Sadducees tried to undermine truth by quoting Scripture to Jesus in an attempt to trap him in Matthew 22:24,

Jesus replied in Matthew 22:29:

Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

The Sadducees argued that the idea of resurrection posed impossible difficulties; therefore, it was not reasonable, therefore it was not true.

Jesus answered that the difficulty was not in the doctrine but in their minds; they were ignorant of the Scriptures and the power of God.

Most truth‑deniers learn about the Bible from Google, social media, ignorant Christians, or atheist rants. They are not students of Scripture — and sadly, neither are many Christians.

Titus 1:9, talking about sound church leadership, encourages faithfulness by,

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

The silence of the gainsayers does not mean they suddenly believe — only that they must retreat to their own preferred source of “truth.”

Jesus asked in Matthew 22:31,

“Have ye not read…?”  

Paul said in Acts 17:22‑23, speaking of the Athenians’ unknown god,

“Ye ignorantly worship… him [God] declare I unto you.”

The Word of God astonishes people, as Matthew 22:33 shows, because God’s Word carries authority (Matthew 7:29).

How do we respond to the rejection of absolute truth? By rejecting that rejection — and speaking from the source of absolute truth in our hands.

 

GOD CHOOSES THE WEAK

 

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:26 that,

…not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

We say we lack pedigree or credentials? Good. We’re on the right track. Most of the Body of Christ are common, weak, unknown people saved by trusting the cross.

The wise and mighty often struggle to believe because pride blinds them. Faith is treasured by the weak because we have nothing else to boast in except Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:29 tells us that God designed salvation so:

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The Word of God cures ignorance, makes the simple wise, sanctifies the common, justifies sinners, and redeems the weak — but only if believed.

Faith in Christ is the key to spiritual understanding.

Let God be true, but every man a liar (Romans 3:4). Acknowledge your own foolishness and weakness. This humility gives you an advantage over the wise and well‑credentialed.

 

CONCLUSION

 

We live in a noisy, distracted world — a digital sideshow alley, but God calls us to wisdom, truth, humility, and faith. The Bible is our anchor, our shortcut to wisdom, and our source of spiritual understanding.

 

Let’s pick up our Bible. Turn on our brain. Trust Christ. Walk wisely.