A problem can be defined in many ways, but the simplest recipe is to replace the truth with a lie. Telling the truth is often undesirable, yet it is the only thing that can truly eliminate problems. Jesus’ teachings revealed that knowing the truth may bring challenges, but it is the truth alone that grants freedom. A lie demands no examination of facts and often promises something attractive to the flesh—and that is precisely what ultimately creates problems.
Humanity’s purpose in this world seems to be that of solving problems, yet, as humans, we generate more of them than any other species. The irony is that while humans cause problems, we are also the ones expected to present solutions. Successful businesses thrive because they solve issues, and the same people who create problems in one area can be trusted to resolve them in another.
This has been the nature of humanity from the beginning, almost as if the world could not function without problems. It feels like the easiest way to avoid problems in this world is to get rid of humanity altogether. Every problem has a solution, but those solutions often come from others rather than the ones who created the trouble. After all, most of the problems we face in this world are caused by humans in the first place.
Today, the legal profession is considered one of the most lucrative careers worldwide. Of course, if everyone lived ethically, we would not need lawyers, just as we would not need a police force. On a larger scale, there would be no need for militaries that consume the largest share of national budgets across the globe. Humanity, created in God’s image, would require no supervision or policing if it truly upheld ethical values.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’” (Genesis 1:26, NIV)
Seeing the world only as a collection of problems goes against the message of Scripture, since everything God created was never intended to harm humanity. Many of the challenges we face come from our own failure to care for and manage the world responsibly. Using pesticides to handle pests and rodents might seem like a quick fix, but it reflects a lack of true stewardship over what we have been entrusted with.
Eliminating other species is not real control—it is an avoidance of responsibility. Jesus taught that even faith as small as a mustard seed could empower His followers to overcome anything, and He proved it by healing the sick, calming storms, and feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish. These moments show that nothing lies beyond inherent human potential.
Even without miracles, humanity’s uniqueness shines through countless achievements. The fact that we can instantly read this article from anywhere in the world is a marvel unknown in His time, much like jets crossing the globe in mere hours—wonders unimaginable then. Yet the spread of knowledge is often slowed by those who fall short of reflecting what was created in God’s image.
Medicine has made huge strides, but not without its share of corruption. The pharmaceutical industry often thrives through questionable means. When Paul said the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), he was pointing to profiteering in many areas of life. While death is usually seen as humanity’s greatest enemy, those who profit from it may see things differently.
The same could be said for certain corners of the legal profession, law enforcement, and the arms industry. Health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes can worsen when people place blind faith in so-called medical experts without questioning their guidance. The prophet Hosea spoke for God with a heart full of sorrow:
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. ‘Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.’” (Hosea 4:6-7, NIV)
It is striking how often people turn away from learning and choose ignorance instead. For many, it feels easier or more comfortable to avoid the truth than to face it. While anyone can seek understanding, it frequently takes a back seat to the comfort of sticking with what is familiar. Sadly, when ignorance causes problems, God is often blamed as people dodge responsibility for their own mistakes.
Ignorance can seem like a quick escape, shielding people from the weight of reality. Sometimes it feels easier to pray about problems without addressing their causes, using faith as a cover—as if hypocrisy could fool God. But Scripture makes it clear:
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, NIV)
The truth is, no one is inherently different from anyone else in their basic ability to tackle problems—except when they fail to take responsibility. Trouble starts when we forget that, despite our outward differences, we come from the same source and share the same purpose, just like God is one. Still, getting people to see this is harder than it should be, and even though we didn’t create ourselves, we stubbornly hold on to what we believe is uniquely ours.
Thinking of ourselves as distinct from others is a kind of systematic ignorance that many still favor. This mindset often springs from clinging to cultural differences, even though culture itself holds no ultimate value. People rarely question their own cultural identity in comparison to others. Believing in such differences can lead to extreme ideas—like the notion that some cultures must reject children of mixed heritage to preserve racial purity. But all of this is rooted in ignorance: humans are fundamentally the same.
Cultural and racial identities can manufacture false ideas of superiority, and in less developed areas, they can fuel tribalism and pointless conflicts. In the end, these divisions are driven by ignorance. No matter someone’s race or gender, they are still just as human as anyone else. Empathy is universal, and that is what inspired the Good Samaritan to help someone in desperate need.
He had his own culture, just as the robbery victim had his, but those differences did not stop him from acting. He simply lived by the golden rule—treat others as you would want to be treated. Even though they came from different cultures, the Good Samaritan and the victim shared the basic instinct to survive, something that transcends cultural lines.
Life always holds solutions to problems, yet some go hungry while others have more than enough. This imbalance is sometimes mistaken for proof of cultural superiority. Feeding your own children while others nearby go hungry might seem natural, but real wisdom recognizes that someone else’s mistakes could just as easily be your own. True wisdom is shown in how it is shared with the community; yet in many places, people tend to judge understanding by pointing out the flaws of others.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14, NIV)
Scripture teaches that some consider themselves wise by highlighting others’ flaws—a habit Jesus exposed as the folly of ignorance. The truth is that no one is inherently better or worse than anyone else, regardless of differences. The most constructive path forward is to acknowledge our shared responsibility for one another. The saying “Charity begins at home” rings true: one cannot neglect those closest while pretending to care for those far away.
Many of the world’s problems stem from ignoring those near us, and cultural differences are often mistaken as deeply significant, though only the unwise judge others for them. Tribal prejudice can be even more damaging than racial prejudice. Japan is known for taking care of its own, and Indians do the same wherever they are, earning respect for their solidarity.
In some African contexts, by contrast, there can be a tendency to overlook issues within the immediate community—engaging more readily with other racial groups than showing care for one’s own. Still, it remains wiser to support those closest to you, as the Japanese and Indians model, while remembering that true wisdom values everyone equally, regardless of race.
There is nothing better than embracing the reality that we are not so different from anyone else—regardless of race, appearance, or state of mind. No one is fundamentally separate from the rest of humanity, and only those lacking true understanding see themselves as better than or worse than others. If someone sees themselves as less, there is room for growth—as long as they avoid envy.
When you see someone as better, the best approach is to connect with them with genuine curiosity, aiming to learn and truly understand what it is you admire. With that mindset, it is possible to surpass even those we once admired, because truly wise people focus on adopting what is good rather than envying those considered wiser.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV)
Colonial powers, often perceived as wiser than Africans, displayed profound ignorance by treating Africans as less than human. Yet it is not entirely fair to say that colonization was purely negative. The greater misstep some Africans made in dealing with former colonizers was to adopt the same selfish, exploitative attitudes, without even considering the enduring value of mutual survival.
They might have also benefited from those they once despised by applying the wisdom Paul highlighted in the referenced scripture. Wisdom and ignorance are not tied to race, but society keeps drawing racial lines—praising Europeans while looking down on Africans. Goodness, however, stands apart from humanity as a reflection of godly principle, emanating from knowledge. One of humanity’s biggest mistakes is judging others based on race or culture.
In reality, people are fundamentally the same, no matter their appearance. Even within a single household, divisions can arise, and history shows that people have sometimes killed one another over language differences mistaken for tribalism. Today, intermarriage has blurred tribal distinctions to the point where they are hardly recognizable.
Humanity is united as one, just as God is one. Created in His image, we should aim to reflect His nature. The moment we truly see others as ourselves, many of the world’s problems would fade. When we learn to connect with one another, nothing is out of reach. Communism may have sought to encourage altruism, but it failed because of hypocrisy.
By seeking control, it ignored the importance of treating people as individuals. Everyone possesses an inner sense of right and wrong, and no reasonable person rejects the idea of treating others as they wish to be treated. Though such actions are seen as noble, pride-driven hypocrisy ultimately led to communism’s downfall.
At its core, pride may be humanity’s biggest problem—one that seems impossible to solve. Without pride, living by the golden rule appears easy. Across the globe, people share the same basic needs—food, shelter, clean air, and other essentials—showing that our physical needs are truly universal, as long as we are willing to share without prejudice.
The real issue has always been the desire to be seen as better than others. Too often, people are driven by ego rather than a genuine wish to serve humanity, chasing a life that appears more impressive than someone else’s instead of focusing on survival itself. Behaving in that manner is not the same as working to solve the problems of those around us.
Asking, “In all my time here, have most people been glad I lived?” is a rich and rarely asked question. Meanwhile, “In all my time here, have I been happy to live?” has fueled many of humanity’s struggles. Self-centeredness carries our troubles; altruism holds our solutions. It is an unpopular truth—one that even cost Jesus His life—, but no answer feels more certain.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
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