The quote “The Word of God is the anvil upon which the opinions of men are smashed” suggests that religious teachings and scriptures (the Word of God) are unchanging and powerful, much like an anvil. Anvils, used by blacksmiths to mold metal, are resilient and durable, capable of withstanding repeated blows without changing or breaking.
In contrast, ‘the opinions of men’—human-generated beliefs or ideas—are subjective and prone to change. When these opinions encounter the steadfast ’Word of God’, they may be reshaped or even destroyed due to its unyielding nature.
This metaphor asserts that divine truth is constant and absolute compared to human thoughts which can be inconsistent or flawed. It highlights a belief in the supreme authority of religious teachings over individual thought or societal trends.
In today’s world, this concept could serve as a reminder for believers not to let shifting social norms overshadow their faith-based principles. For those who don’t strictly adhere to any particular religion but appreciate wisdom from various sources including religious texts; it could mean recognizing that some truths remain constant regardless of changing times.
From a personal development perspective; this idea could imply recognizing certain core values (symbolized here by ‘the Word’) as foundational anchors for our life decisions – values such as honesty and kindness should remain unchanged regardless how much we evolve over time or how much our perspectives shift due to external influences (‘opinions’).
So whether one interprets ‘the Word’ literally as religious doctrine or metaphorically representing enduring values – its role remains similar: a sturdy, unchanging reference point helping us navigate through the shifting sands of human opinions and societal trends.