Surviving Stupidity – a Lesson from Iron Man 3

2014/August by Marji Laine 2 Comments

Google defines stupidity as “behavior that shows a lack of good sense or judgment.” While I hesitate to call anyone stupid, even characters in a book or movie, that definition applied well to Tony Stark in his latest episode, Iron Man 3.

In fact, the very of essence of stupidity was played out across the screen when Tony Stark threatened an insane killer on national television and then proceeded to give out his home address. Daring the man to come after him.

For a brilliant man, painted to rival Einstein, he had the sense of a turkey in the rain. Tweet This!

I can’t imagine too many people being quite so dense. Well maybe a few. Especially the girl in every horror flick who decides to go by herself to investigate the creepy noises from the basement.

Tony does 3 things to accomplish his ultimate foolishness.

1. He Doesn’t Care.

Even through two other Iron Man movies and the Avengers, he still deals with the core of his personality—shown with the flashback at the beginning of the movie. He has grown, though. The issue of paying attention to anything beyond his own nose has actually gotten better. But he’s not there, yet.

He reacted solidly with his emotions, his bravado, giving no thought to the consequences of his actions.

2. He Ignores the Danger.

Having acted rashly, in this case, placing a bright red target on his back, he went about acting like nothing was different.

There’s something treacherous about denial. The body knows there’s a problem, but the mind says, “Oh, no man. Everything’s cool.” Definitely Tony Starks’ attitude when he arrived at this home that he’d pinpointed on Google Maps as literally “The Bomb.”

Have you ever done that? Thought something would go away if you just ignored it? I confess, I’m an ostrich from time to time myself.

3. He Justified His Actions.

Technically, he only justified remaining at the house, but that was bad enough. I wouldn’t consider Tony Stark especially wise, but at least he didn’t try to justify his initial act. However, arguing and debating his decision to stay in his targeted house did nothing to solve his problem. In fact, it provided just enough of a distraction to allow disaster.

So how does this all apply to scripture and a Biblical World View? First, this same stupidity can happen to anyone. It’s a type of blindness that glides on the emotions of the moment. That’s why Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, urges, “In your anger do not sin.”

And Jesus urged us in Matthew 7:5 to remove the log in our own eye so we could see well enough to remove the splinter in our neighbor’s eye. He’s speaking of a blindness that we develop when we don’t recognize our failings.

I know I’ve reacted before in the heat of the moment with a careless attitude. But when I then ignored my mistake, justified it, and stiffened my neck against my transgression, I blinded myself. Just as if I put my hands over my face. And for as long as I refuse to see my errors, I remain in pride-filled blindness, harming my relationship with my Savior because I’m no long listening to His Holy Spirit.

Tony Stark finally did show remorse over his stupid act, apologizing to his girlfriend for putting himself and her into such danger. And because he regretted his action, and humbled himself before the one he loved, they were reconciled.

There’s a lesson there for those who love the Lord. Humility is key. Losing it is what causes this whole problem of stupidity. Regaining it restores your sight and your relationship with God. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”

Your turn: Tell me I’m not the only one who lets my emotions and my stiff neck mess things up!