Animal Thoughts
Dog: "They keep putting the lid down on the big water bowl."
Goldfish: "Just because I have a three-second memory, they don't think I'll mind eating the same fish flakes ... Oh boy! Fish flakes!"
Dog: "Man, why do they keep rubbing my nose in it? I already KNOW whose it is!"
Goldfish: "The knight never comes out of the castle to fight me for dominion over the fish tank. So I must continue patrolling, for I am lord and master!"
Parrot: "Tease, tease, tease! But do those greedy clowns ever really give me a cracker? I DON'T THINK SO!"
Cat: "Why are these people in my house?"
Goldfish: "Oh, tap-tap-tap! There's a new one!"
Although it’s true that you can almost see what the dog is saying at times, it is likewise true that the dog doesn’t think like a human being. However, if you were an alien visiting earth, a stop at the local library would nearly convince you that all animals on earth do think and do talk. So many children’s books feature talking animals - from Disney to C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. We’ve been conditioned to accept the idea that animals talk, and by extension, that they think and reason.
It’s a very short step from accepting that animals talk/think to accepting that animals are equal to people and should have the same rights. We see so many examples of this becoming true in our world: the preservation of animals is viewed as more important than people, i.e. owls vs. loggers in the Northwest. Some people believe owning pets is infringing upon the rights of those “captive” animals; some want to sue the pet’s owner for injustices. Note this is not about cruelty; they are talking about infringing on the rights of the creatures. In elevating the animals to like-human status, godly logic flies out the window. It’s worshipping creatures rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
The reality is that Genesis 1:28 records God telling our first parents, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth”(ESV). God put mankind in control of the animals. Along with that responsibility comes the consequences if those under man’s dominion are mistreated or neglected. Dominion is not an excuse for cruelty. Nevertheless, dominion also does not mean equal status or equal rights.
To us God has given the promise of becoming heirs with Christ. Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, . .” That’s not a promise God has given to any of the animals.
“Talking” for my dogs seems harmless, but it can be a subtle means for the enemy to undermine our view of what God has promised to those who love Him. It’s important to remember that they have not been ordained for the same purpose and position that God has ordained for mankind. I wonder what God plans for them . . .