It is a common error to mistake “perverted” for “civilized.” When Satan has a measure of control over your cultural foundations, it’s easy to accept some of his suggestions as advancements to a higher plane. Humans have struggled for years to break away from instinct, even to the point of denying we have any. Even the most damaged and schizophrenic among us still exhibit instincts, however twisted. A very powerful instinct built into human nature is clinging to the tribe.
The best way to see what’s at the bottom of human nature is to scape away everything on top. We see this during catastrophes, with people clinging most to those they have come to trust for whatever reason. While this would most often be one’s blood kin, there are degrees by which that net spreads wider when the closest affinities aren’t available. Even in places where you couldn’t and shouldn’t be trusting anyone breathing (in prison, for example), you will seek passing alliances for the advantage they offer. It’s hard wired.
Denying such wiring does not make us superior. No one is such a virtuoso at everything, such that they can always win. There is always someone out there with an advantage over you, and always will be. You will need to analyze possible alliances to see which offers you the best chance of gaining what you really believe you must have, at a price you are willing to pay. When you can start with an alliance in which you have already made heavy investment, where trust is already there, you are far more sure of the results of testing.
The pretense of standing “on your own two feet” is dangerous. Not that you will always fail, but that you will tend to build a life outside God’s will. God’s own Word assumes you will act tribally. His very own Kingdom assumes fellowship, and He has no Lone Rangers. We stand alone before Him in repentance only so we may join, as the rite of passage which strips away everything He calls evil. So it is in this lower realm, as well. We are tribal. It would make a lot more sense to cultivate it wisely and intentionally than fight our one hope of gaining the blessings God offers all humanity. We must consciously break down the myth of the individual, and replace it with the God’s viewpoint.
Most of what we fear and complain about in bad government is a direct result of trying to set aside the tribal lifestyle. When you build up the tribe, you don’t need government as we know it.
