God's View on Clumsiness?

[SilverBigBack]

Good day everyone.
This is the first of probably many questions I will post here on the CC.
Although your straight opinion is welcome, I encourage using scripture or at least para-phrasing it to support your view.

What is God's view on clumsiness?

I can elaborate- I don't mean a clumsy act here or there that can result from various temporary circumstantial factors. I mean repeated clumsiness; clumsy people. Or at least people who are reliably clumsy in certain applications, especially workplace.
Some examples:
1. A person with brain fog or a challenged memory is running calculations and forgets to add in a number to his/her sum, leading to an incorrect result (now apply this to accountants or something similar). This is one of the regular "gaffes" they experience.
2. A young carpenter is on the construction site. To our eyes it appears that he is not under the influence of any kind of mind-hampering substances, he gets enough sleep, and isn't frequently checking his smart-phone, but still he seems to have "tunnel-vision," trips over obstacles frequently, and gets dizzy easily.
3. The classical "clumsy guy" trope seen in stories- like the smurf named, literally, "Clumsy." There almost seems to be an inescapable curse on this individual of clumsiness.

What does the Bible have to say about all this?

A verse that come to my mind is I Cor. 1:27 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong"
But, in the context of workplace clumsiness, does God not call us to excellence and good works? Do we not glorify him most when we do our job(s) well?

Is clumsiness a sin?
Certainly circumstantial clumsiness (like from drunkenness) can be, or at least the result of sin, but again, what about seemingly "inherent" clumsiness?
Is clumsiness a result of the fall? (I certainly think so)

What is God's view of clumsiness?

What are your thoughts? I am eager to hear them!

 

[Dino246]

Clumsiness is yet another manifestation of the brokenness of this creation. It’s certainly not sinful, any more than a headache is.

 

[SilverBigBack]

Clumsiness is yet another manifestation of the brokenness of this creation. It’s certainly not sinful, any more than a headache is.

I agree, but I would appreciate some substance of scripture to prove your point.
Also, clumsiness necessarily comes at a cost for others; headaches in and of themselves don't have to.

 

[Dino246]

I agree, but I would appreciate some substance of scripture to prove your point.
Also, clumsiness necessarily comes at a cost for others; headaches in and of themselves don't have to.

I don't know of any specific Scripture on the subject. The word doesn't appear in any translation of the Bible with which I'm familiar.

 

[pinebeach]

A young carpenter is on the construction site.

I don't know what's wrong. I've cut it twice and it's still too short. Sorry not sorry. Old carpenter's joke. well the joke is old and not necessairly the carpenter.

Theres' this:
16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Prov.6

When I was a child I was often tripping because I grew tall fast and had sometime catching up with myself. I used to say I would go across the street to find something to trip on. (anecdote)

Can't find a thing about clumsy being a sin or sinful. Definitely never considered it or ran across it anywhere.

 

[SilverBigBack]

I don't know what's wrong. I've cut it twice and it's still too short. Sorry not sorry. Old carpenter's joke. well the joke is old and not necessairly the carpenter.

Theres' this:
16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Prov.6

When I was a child I was often tripping because I grew tall fast and had sometime catching up with myself. I used to say I would go across the street to find something to trip on. (anecdote)

Can't find a thing about clumsy being a sin or sinful. Definitely never considered it or ran across it anywhere.

Thanks for sharing your thoughtful response!
I too have a history of clumsiness which is why the question popped into my head. The problem is, as you've likely experienced yourself, that good Christian men who show righteous anger in our lives when we are young at things like injustice and crime often also become angry at "honest mistakes" and other clumsy events that can confuse a malleable boy. Of course, James 1:20, the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God, but I would argue that a strong Christian man's anger is often rooted in God's anger towards sin. And like I said, this can lead to a sense of guilt or shame in the clumsy person responsible for the mistake.
Ah but now we see that I am digressing into a discussion of anger and shame more than clumsiness. Perhaps God is exposing the roots of the question.

 

[pinebeach]

Thanks for sharing your thoughtful response!
I too have a history of clumsiness which is why the question popped into my head. The problem is, as you've likely experienced yourself, that good Christian men who show righteous anger in our lives when we are young at things like injustice and crime often also become angry at "honest mistakes" and other clumsy events that can confuse a malleable boy. Of course, James 1:20, the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God, but I would argue that a strong Christian man's anger is often rooted in God's anger towards sin. And like I said, this can lead to a sense of guilt or shame in the clumsy person responsible for the mistake.
Ah but now we see that I am digressing into a discussion of anger and shame more than clumsiness. Perhaps God is exposing the roots of the question.

Well, I actually outgrew the clumsiness. I'm 5'7" which is not all that tall, but I grew fast so was clumsy as a result. I'm all caught up now. It sounds like you might have some experience with people being angry with/at you due to mistakes you have made? Would that be right? Possibly Christians? As you mention anger, what the Bible says about that, is 'be angry but don't sin.' We have to be careful how we address people who are making an honest effort yet still make a mistake (we all make mistakes).

I kinda wonder at what you say regarding a 'strong' Christian mans anger. I don't think you link sin and being clumsy. That, is a stretch in my opinion. Has someone told you that it is a sin?

 

[StanDupp]

I can elaborate- I don't mean a clumsy act here or there that can result from various temporary circumstantial factors. I mean repeated clumsiness; clumsy people. Or at least people who are reliably clumsy in certain applications, especially workplace.
Some examples:
1. A person with brain fog or a challenged memory is running calculations and forgets to add in a number to his/her sum, leading to an incorrect result (now apply this to accountants or something similar). This is one of the regular "gaffes" they experience.
2. A young carpenter is on the construction site. To our eyes it appears that he is not under the influence of any kind of mind-hampering substances, he gets enough sleep, and isn't frequently checking his smart-phone, but still he seems to have "tunnel-vision," trips over obstacles frequently, and gets dizzy easily.
3. The classical "clumsy guy" trope seen in stories- like the smurf named, literally, "Clumsy." There almost seems to be an inescapable curse on this individual of clumsiness.

These people need to think of their families at least and get a large life insurance policy so they can be taken care of the the clumsy guy kills himself from being clumsy

And as an employers, I would have to let the clumsy guy go because we don't need to be having accidents in the workplace.

There's plenty of non-clumsy candidates that need work who should be hired

 

[pinebeach]

These people need to think of their families at least and get a large life insurance policy so they can be taken care of the the clumsy guy kills himself from being clumsy

And as an employers, I would have to let the clumsy guy go because we don't need to be having accidents in the workplace.

There's plenty of non-clumsy candidates that need work who should be hired

So anyone who is clumsy need not apply. got it. Such a help...that was not the question though. I don't know what kind of biz you are in, but FYI, there are hundreds of jobs that do not require life insurance. smh get a grip

 

[StanDupp]

I too have a history of clumsiness

Have you tried paying attention to what you are doing and believing the Lord for His help so you aren't clumsy?

Clumsy people are going to cause someone to get killed and/or cause destruction of property.

 

[StanDupp]

So anyone who is clumsy need not apply. got it. Such a help...that was not the question though. I don't know what kind of biz you are in, but FYI, there are hundreds of jobs that do not require life insurance. smh get a grip

If you owned and operated a business you'd understand that hiring someone who is prone to make mistakes all the time can end up very badly very quick.

These people should not be hired for the safety of every one else and I do have a grip on reality

 

[pinebeach]

If you owned and operated a business you'd understand that hiring someone who is prone to make mistakes all the time can end up very badly very quick.

These people should not be hired for the safety of every one else and I do have a grip on reality

If you did not assume everything and try to sound like you are all knowing instead of the bore you are, I would have told you that my family actually did own a very lucrative business with dangerous machines. Personally, I own a smal biz myself.

You did not actually address the op who seems to be a nice person. Instead you sound like one of those judgemental 'Christians' he mentions. The grip on reality you post about concerns you and you alone. Not every business is a danger zone. Maybe post your linkedin info and we can all go over and ooo and aaah

 

[StanDupp]

my family actually did own a very lucrative business with dangerous machines

And you people hired accident prone clumsy people to operate these dangerous machines???

That's slow man, like really slow.

If you did not assume everything and try to sound like you are all knowing instead of the bore you are

And yet you keep replying, interesting

 

[pinebeach]

And you people hired accident prone clumsy people to operate these dangerous machines???

That's slow man, like really slow.




And yet you keep replying, interesting View attachment 281229

If you did not assume everything and try to sound like you are all knowing instead of the bore you are, you might have made a better impression on people. But I guess it's better to come off as arrogant and self absorbed as you did. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[StanDupp]

If you did not assume everything and try to sound like you are all knowing instead of the bore you are, you might have made a better impression on people. But I guess it's better to come off as arrogant and self absorbed as you did. Thanks for the heads up.

Of course those that don't enthusiastically embrace all you say are always the problem.

 

[pinebeach]

Good day everyone.
This is the first of probably many questions I will post here on the CC.
Although your straight opinion is welcome, I encourage using scripture or at least para-phrasing it to support your view.

What is God's view on clumsiness?

I can elaborate- I don't mean a clumsy act here or there that can result from various temporary circumstantial factors. I mean repeated clumsiness; clumsy people. Or at least people who are reliably clumsy in certain applications, especially workplace.
Some examples:
1. A person with brain fog or a challenged memory is running calculations and forgets to add in a number to his/her sum, leading to an incorrect result (now apply this to accountants or something similar). This is one of the regular "gaffes" they experience.
2. A young carpenter is on the construction site. To our eyes it appears that he is not under the influence of any kind of mind-hampering substances, he gets enough sleep, and isn't frequently checking his smart-phone, but still he seems to have "tunnel-vision," trips over obstacles frequently, and gets dizzy easily.
3. The classical "clumsy guy" trope seen in stories- like the smurf named, literally, "Clumsy." There almost seems to be an inescapable curse on this individual of clumsiness.

What does the Bible have to say about all this?

A verse that come to my mind is I Cor. 1:27 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong"
But, in the context of workplace clumsiness, does God not call us to excellence and good works? Do we not glorify him most when we do our job(s) well?

Is clumsiness a sin?
Certainly circumstantial clumsiness (like from drunkenness) can be, or at least the result of sin, but again, what about seemingly "inherent" clumsiness?
Is clumsiness a result of the fall? (I certainly think so)

What is God's view of clumsiness?

What are your thoughts? I am eager to hear them!

I'm really sorry that this person has basically destroyed your thread. I hope you can still ask the questions you wanted to. This same person is over in another thread being rude to me because I called him out on the way he responded to you. Maybe just use the ignore feature and then you won't see his posts. Again, I'm sorry.

 

[JimiSurvivor]

I agree, but I would appreciate some substance of scripture to prove your point.
Also, clumsiness necessarily comes at a cost for others; headaches in and of themselves don't have to.

EVERYTHING that might happen and even WOULD happen is not recorded in scripture. Establishing that as a RULE would certainly been a waste of textual space and attention since we are not guided ONLY by the text but also by the Holy Spirit who gives us the understanding to see HOW we are to apply the specific message of the text to our lives.. The things that are most important for us to know and consider are included in the Book- not EVERYTHING. We must, in fact, not react to every imagination or association as we read. Even the Reformers, who probably knew the scriptures better than most became so rigid and dogmatic about their theological systems that Satan was able to trick them into becoming murderers rather than teachers of the pure word. This goes to show that one area we should not be "clumsy" about is RIGHTLY dividing the truth. However, to make mere "clumsiness" the cause of error hardly gets to the root of that problem.

 

[StanDupp]

the Reformers, who probably knew the scriptures better than most became so rigid and dogmatic about their theological systems that Satan was able to trick them into becoming murderers rather than teachers of the pure word.

Very obviously the so called reformers did not know God's Word that well at all.

If they had they would not have been tricked by the devil to become murderers

They certainly did not have the Holy Spirit - 1 John 3:15

 

[Blade]

Hey, it says the foolish things of this world.. that is not clumsiness. So ask Him about it.. your in for a shock.. its not how He sees it

 

[SilverBigBack]

I'm really sorry that this person has basically destroyed your thread. I hope you can still ask the questions you wanted to. This same person is over in another thread being rude to me because I called him out on the way he responded to you. Maybe just use the ignore feature and then you won't see his posts. Again, I'm sorry.

It saddened me to see the disagreement you two shared. I appreciate your heart. I will say that I do not expect to find solid wisdom on CC or many other places in the internet, so I take most of what I read with a grain of salt. But God can use anything. Thank you very much for your contribution and encouragement brother.