In September, a musician named Patrick Cosmos wrote, “Working on a new unified theory of American reality I’m calling ‘everyone is twelve now.’” His words went viral, mostly as an attack on the Trump Administration. But the essential truth here is fully bipartisan. Americans are not only embracing the inner child, but glorifying immaturity. Films and television shows feature childish heroes who lack poise, self-control, and grace. Even our nation’s capital can seem like a nursery.
We should acknowledge that some negative aspects of our 12-year-old selves never disappear. But in normal adults, they should become muted and no longer control us. Also, I don’t want to disparage all 12-year-olds. Some are amazingly mature, kind, loving, and thoughtful.
But generally, 12-year-olds act 12. Their world centers on themselves and what they want right now. They are often belligerent and show little appreciation for the gifts passed down to them. They are both super sensitive about their treatment and super insensitive in their treatment of others. They lack calm and self-control. They can be ruthless and lack loyalty. They act like they know everything when, in fact, they still know very little. They have short attention spans, they’re moody, and they often put on a show of bravado while feeling frightened and insecure.
These ways of thinking have infected American adults, but not just Americans. It is global. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes it as a phenomenon of “the last days,” explicitly attributing childlike behavior and attitudes to adults. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
Society is geared to childish thinking. Social media encourages simple thoughts condensed into short, ad copy style wording. People in our time don’t want detailed, thoughtful reasoning, but drop mic moments. I’m astounded at the praise given to celebrities when they answer critics with the equivalent of, “Oh yeah?” — except with not-safe-for-work language… like 12-year-olds.
There is merit to the idea that 12 has become the median psychological age of a large part of adult America. Those same adults have thrown away childlike innocence, opting instead for Sodom and Gomorrah — life at its lowest level. Consequently, a Lord of the Flies mentality full of savagery and rage is increasing across the land.
Most people have experienced dreams that took a turn and became nightmares. That’s how billions of people are beginning to feel. They long for someone — a mom, dad, mentor, or friend — to gently shake them and say, “Everything’s okay. Go back to sleep. You were just having a bad dream. You still live in Bedford Falls. The world hasn’t turned into Pottersville.”
But it isn’t a dream. It’s real. A new and dangerous reality surrounds us.
The Bible explicitly prophesies that these last-days attitudes will overflow the world. That’s good news because it means that God Himself has not been caught off guard. He’s still in control. People are behaving monstrously, but He’s still God. And in His Word, He repeatedly tells us not to be afraid. We find one of the most beautiful examples of this in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
When we’re not afraid, it becomes much easier to love.
