Chill, Dude

(Proverbs 7:11 KJV)  (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Have you ever been accused of being a prude, puritanical, Victorian or stoic?  These terms are never used as compliments except by people like me.  One thing they all have in common is a lack of “loud” (boisterous NASB) (1993) personalities.  The definition for this Hebrew word is “to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous.”  We are talking here about the stereotypical college student at a party with free beer.  We are talking about the spirit of our age. 

We are surrounded by superficial emotionalism.  We are encouraged to let go, to show our emotions.  We are to be open and transparent.  Self-control and discipline are marks of people with suppressed problems.  I was in a room with a TV on the other day.  It happens.  Fortunately the sound was muted.  It was some kind of special program and a couple of guys in cream colored suits were jumping around like they were in a sack race and holding microphones touching their lips.  In front of them were a bunch of people with their hands in the air jumping up and down.  It was either a rock concert or a new praise band.  I did not want to know badly enough to turn the volume up. 

This verse would seem to condemn that kind of activity. 

So?  Don’t be afraid to be serious.  Don’t be afraid to sit quietly.  Emotions are a part of being human, but don’t let them rule you.  We are told to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.  That is hard to do when we are being boisterous.  Calm down.