Stoicism Reveals Biblical Truth
He leads me …
Stoicism? I thought this was a Christian blog. Yes, and yes it is.
This blog is looking at aspects of wisdom, and to do this we should look at what wisdom is from a biblical point of view, as seen in Proverbs chapter 8.
Here Wisdom is given a woman’s personality and is referred to as ‘she’. At the beginning of Proverbs chapter 8 we read that she cries out to ‘all that live’ (verse 4), which means that everyone is included and not just believers.
To clarify, Proverbs chapter 8 says that wisdom calls out from the centres of economic and legal discussion (the ‘crossroads’ and the ‘gates’ in verses 2 and 3), as well as from all aspects of everyday community life (‘On the height, beside the way’ in verse 1). Wisdom also cries out for the ‘simple’ to receive instruction (verse 5), and for rulers to ‘govern rightly’ (verse 16).[1]
So we see that wisdom is for all people, and not just those who read their bible.
In the Hebrew Bible, to seek wisdom is to seek knowledge and understanding about the world, which is filled with God’s wisdom. This process of discovering God’s wisdom in the world is critical for developing a good life. By examining and reflecting on our experience in relation to how the world works, we are able to determine the will and desire of God more clearly.
In calling all people to seek her, Wisdom offers everyone access to the living God. She is the expression of God’s delight in the world, and a dynamic introduction to God Himself.[2]
So we see that all wisdom comes from God. Let us now have a look at what the stoics, who were philosophers from around 2000 years ago, say and how it fits in with biblical teaching.
The ‘Discipline of Assent’
Most of us know what it is like to give in to an impulse. We have a choice. Do we or don’t we? We have reverted to what we have done so many times before, even though we know we will dislike the outcome.
The Stoics have an answer which they call the ‘discipline of assent’. It is to feel the desire to do something we know we should not be doing, and not give in. But, as we know, this can seem pretty much impossible.
Epictetus said that the key was the moment when we are deciding whether to do it or not. He said that we should catch ourselves just as we are about to act, and simply postpone it. When this happens we do not have to make a major effort with our willpower.
In Discourses and Selected Writings Epictetus said, ‘Hold on a moment; let me see who you are and what you represent. Let me put you to the test.’
Modern research into breaking bad habits says the same thing. First catch yourself in the act, and then postpone. Telling ourselves that we can do this later operates in the mind a bit like having it now.
But we know that the urge will come again, so how do you break this bad habit? We do not break it. We replace it. In Discourses and Selected Writings Epictetus said, ‘If we do not like doing something, make a habit of doing something different.
And recent science says the same thing. Do not try to eliminate it. Replace it with a new routine.
This looks good but how does it compare with what the Bible says?
· The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)
· God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 NLT)
· Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)
What Would I Recommend If This Happened To Someone Else?
We know what happens when we travel with a friend and the traffic is terrible. They are continually tooting the horn, punching the steering wheel, and shouting at the other drivers. Of course we try our best to calm them down.
The next day traffic is terrible too, but this time we are the ones driving. What do we do? Continually toot the horn, punch the steering wheel, and shout at the other drivers.
We all do it to some extent. But we can learn from what the Stoics worked out a few millennia ago.
When something bad happens, we should ask ourselves, ‘What would I recommend if this happened to someone else?’ And then do it. We will probably be calmer as a result. The interesting thing is that it is harder to ignore this advice — because it is our own.
Epictetus advocates this sort of ‘projective visualization.’ Suppose, he says, that our servant breaks a cup. We are likely to get angry and be upset by what happened. One way to prevent this anger is to think about how we would feel if the incident had happened to someone else. Say that we were at someone’s house and his servant broke a cup, we might try to calm our host by saying ‘It is just a cup. These things happen.’ Epictetus believed that by using projective visualization, we will see the relative insignificance of the bad things that happen to us, and by following our own advice we will therefore prevent being irritated.
Does this work? Duke professor Dan Ariely, author of the bestseller Predictably Irrational, says basically the same thing. He called it ‘taking the outside perspective.’ He said, ‘Often when we’re recommending something to another person, we don’t think about our current emotions. We actually think a bit more distantly from the decision, and often reach a better outcome because of that.’[3]
This looks good, but again, how does it compare with what the Bible says?
· “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NLT) As we have just seen, the opposite applies too. In each case we treat others and ourselves the same.
· “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (Matthew 7:1-3 NLT)
· Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others [and ourselves] up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NLT).
May these suggestions help us to make better decisions in the future.
[1] Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Elizabeth Webb, Working Preacher; https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/the-holy-trinity-3/commentary-on-proverbs-81-4-22-31-2
[2] Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Amy Erickson, Working Preacher; https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/the-holy-trinity-3/commentary-on-proverbs-81-4-22-31
[3] Stoicism Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You Happy, Eric Barker, Daily Stoic; https://dailystoic.com/rituals-that-will-make-you-happy/
