Why have we allowed ourselves to be dumbed down?

I want to start with a bold statement.  I wonder if our being dumbed down  has become the ultimate tool of Satan.  Today as I researched a topic the Lord had on my mind I read a sermon by one of the greats (Spurgeon).  It occurred to me that if a pastor today spoke in such a way he would be fortunate to have a handful of attenders.  There was such depth to the sermon with no attempt to simplify the message.  I immediately thought about how often the excuse is used that the Bible is too hard to understand.  Really?

I have at times fallen for this same line of thinking but can you honestly say that?  Reading is a tremendous gift that we take for granite and squander.  I believe that our comprehension fails because we fail to exercise this incredible gift.  Exercising this gift then exercises our brains so that we might use them more effectively.  Nothing scientific here. . . just some rambling thoughts.  However, I wonder how this influences all of our decisions or even lack of making a decision.  Politics is an example.  We believe what we are told and without any intelligence cast a vote. The damage is done. However, that is not the biggest loss but rather part of the result of our biggest loss.

Since we have decided that the Bible is too hard or possibly not entertaining enough we miss out on our relationship with Christ.  I understand from experience how easy it is to give this us.  We think so selfishly that we focus on our own folly with just a passing (sad) thought to what we know we are missing. So life is more difficult, we make bad decision and worst of all we miss so many opportunities.

Truly I must take all of this thinking to task.  Some parts of the Bible are difficult but much of it even a child can comprehend.  As for entertainment. . .have you read the Bible lately?  Parts of it are almost too much to bear.  It is full of excitement, adventure, romance, rebellion, heros, princesses and the list goes on.

Our Lord God handpicked what to tell us and how we should hear it.  He knew our every need and desire. How could we not want to know all He says? It is amazing that is only a book and not a library of books.

To the present, we complain about our political situation and economics in the USA but we have yet to take the simple steps to fix them. There is one way and only one way. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

God is willing to forgive and heal our land!!!! How could we not want that?  The Bible has story after story about nations having success and abundance when God's hand was on them and failing miserably the minute He removed His hand.  Hebrew 12 says:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
⁶ For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Yes, God disciplines those He loves. Not because He is harsh but because we need it just as a child does.  Otherwise, our selfishness would win. So will you allow Satan to win? Will you allow Him to dumb you down?  Or will you dust off that precious book and find His great stories of victory and instructions.  It is the living breathing Word that can speak to you every single time you read it. Perhaps you will even learn to love to read!