Just Because People Say It

Bill Bagents

I enjoy finding flaws in inadequate assertions. Part of that is being a natural contrarian, part is that I enjoy trying to improve my critical thinking skills, and part is that I’m just odd.

Consider the famous inadequate quote, “Only two things in life are certain, death and taxes.”

I find it an assumptive assertion. Those who have no income, own no property, and make no purchases pay no taxes. Biblically, I find it inaccurate. There will be people on the earth, perhaps billions, who never die. They’ll be living and “changed” when the Lord returns (1 Cor. 15:50–52).

If we think of the quote as asserting that only death and taxes are inevitable, we encounter all manner of problems.

The quote fails factually: for all who live long enough to pay taxes, aging is both obvious and inevitable. All who live, by definition, will age. For everyone, change is both certain and inevitable. Life is not static. That’s what makes both Psalm 119:89 and Hebrews 13:8 so powerful and precious.

The quote fails spiritually: several times over: love is inevitable. All are loved and desired by God (John 3:16–17, Rom 5:6–8). Judgment is inevitable; all will be judged by God according to the things we’ve done (2 Cor. 5:9–11). The ultimate victory of Jesus over death and the grave is inevitable (1 Cor. 15:50–58).

The quote fails relationally: unless we are utterly isolated, interpersonal conflict is inevitable (Rom 3:23, Acts 15:36–41). While some fear it too much and others welcome it too readily, it has its merits. Conflict can identify problems, foster communication, and pull us toward teamwork and fairness.

The quote fails philosophically: if we are in any sense self-aware and self-reflective, intrapersonal conflict is inevitable (Rom 7). Generally speaking, I like me and often show considerable favoritism toward myself. I try hard, but even I don’t always agree with everything I do, say, or think.

The quote fails practically: it is certain that we need others (Eccl 4:7–12). That’s stunningly obvious in the earliest months of life—at birth; we can’t do a thing for ourselves. When sick enough or sufficiently injured, we need the help of others. If we get old enough, we’ll need and relish the help of others (Eccl 12:6–8). And those are just the extreme cases.

“Only two things in life are certain, death and taxes.” How do such inadequate truisms weave themselves into the fabric of our culture? I wish I were smart enough to know. Better yet, I wish I knew how to keep that from happening. I don’t know that much and I’m not that smart. But all is not lost.

There are lesser but still outstanding options. We can think. We can ask questions. We can pray. We can seek answers. Underlying all that, we can choose to trust God. Even the longest history of popular acceptance can’t make a false statement true. It can’t make a wrong statement right. And it can’t make an inadequate statement all encompassing. From “crucify Him” to “God is dead” to “the earth is flat” to “man will never fly,” countless human assertions have proven to be stunningly wrong.

Any truism that respects God’s character and accords with His word can be a major blessing. Any truism that doesn’t respect God presents a major danger. Errant groupthink, even passionately treasured shared ignorance, can’t bless us. There are biblical senses in which it’s great to be a sheep (Ps 23, John 10:7–18), but blindly following anything we’re told isn’t one of them.

We’re wise to evaluate every assertion through the lens of Scripture (Acts 17:11). Keep the fish; discard the bones. Trust God more than you trust yourself (Prov. 3:5–6, Rom 3:4). Trust God more than any power on earth (Ps 20:7–8). Trust God completely (Ps 31:14–16). Trust God always (Ps 62:8)!