The O’Reilly Factor and FoxNews. Over the last two decades, these two entities became household names for literally millions of Americans. Holding the top spot in the prime time cable ratings is something most TV personalities would aspire for and, if achieved, would no doubt boast of. Bill O’Reilly was no exception. The fact is, Bill was never shy to remind his viewers of his unparalleled success.
Over the years I have watched my share of the O’Reilly Factor. And while I have agreed more often than not with many of the positions Bill would take, I found myself regularly perturbed with the man. There is something about watching someone spout off braggadociously, night after night, that can turn a person from a follower to a critic.
More than once during the last decade I’ve thought of Proverbs 16:18 when listening to O’Reilly pontificate about his infallible views on nearly any subject under the sun. That verse asserts:
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
It’s likely that we all struggle with that five letter word: Pride. And perhaps the more successful one becomes, and the more he or she is in the public eye, the greater the temptation is to think highly of oneself.
I’ve often heard the expression “a self-made man” used of those who achieve some level of success. But I’ve always been deeply troubled by such a view. If one affirms God and His sovereign role in our world and lives, then I would suggest it is pride-gone-wild to assert one is a self-made anything. True, we play a part in our future, with every choice we make. But I believe it is dangerously wrong to buy into the notion that we are the reason for our success.
The truth is there is a greater Power at work. I liken it to a farmer who sows his fields. Sure, he planted the seed, but God gives the rains, sun and the ultimate increase. And even further, God gives the farmer the resources, health and strength to even plant the seed.
Likewise, in our lives, we can plant seeds of success by the choices we make. But it is ultimately God who honors those choices. Only God can bless us with successes beyond our wildest dreams. But when those dreams come to fruition, here are some questions that, depending on our answer, will determine whether pride has entered into our lives.
What do we think? How do we act? What do we say to others? Whom do we thank? Is it ourselves or God?
Deuteronomy 8:18 answers the last question with this affirmation:
“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful…”
So as I think about Bill O’Reilly’s fall from the pinnacle of success to the depths of shame, I am saddened to see such a loss. Whether Bill is guilty or not of the charges leveled against him is beyond the scope of this article. But Bill’s arrogance and pompous attitude loom large for anyone willing to see them. And sadly, I believe they drove the reason for his fall.
More important than Bill’s fall though, is this. His failures force me to look in the mirror and test my motives, my attitudes, and my beliefs.
Is there Pride in my life? Do I possess a haughty spirit? If so, then there is a fall and destruction in my future.
What about you? Have you considered these questions? If not, I would challenge you to do that same.
At the end of the day, all that is good in our lives and all that we might accomplish or accumulate is only by God’s abundant blessings. Any explanation beyond that should cause us to seriously consider Proverbs 16:18… before it’s too late.
Epilogue:
One final thought. As Bill O’Reilly falls, Tucker Carlson rises, being offered Bill’s former prime-time slot at 8pm. It’s noteworthy to mention that Tucker Carlson is moving from his short stint at 9pm, after replacing Megyn Kelly, to the 8pm hour, the top slot in prime-time. Will Tucker though, learn from Bill O’Reilly’s mistakes and resist the temptation to credit himself for his sudden success? Time will tell. And let’s hope humility reigns.
Another well written article Mark. Thank you.
Bill O’Reilly is gone because he angered someone at FOX and in my opinion that is the only reason he is gone. They are all paid opposition including Hannity and Carlson. Paid for their role on the Kabuki stage called news reporting. FOX is owned by one of our political enemies and no one on FOX says anything they are not told to say. I not only don’t watch O’Reilly I stopped watching FOX a long time ago. I prefer to seek out the little independent guy that is still trying to share truth. They too are hard to find but they are out there we just have to turn of the TV and seek them out.
No Bill O’Reilly is gone for exactly the reason Mark stated. You don’t put out 13 million dollars to make your accusers go away unless there is some truth to the story!
Well said, Mark! Reminds me of another admonition for all of us to heed…”God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Thanks for writing these articles – I enjoy reading them!
Blessings to you.
Thanks Scott. I believe this is a basic struggle that all of mankind experiences. Great to hear from you and thanks for the reminder of James 4:6. What a great verse!
Well said Mark.
The side missed in your piece is that Bill was one of few that was willing to correct misinformation he had given or even to acknowledge when he had been wrong. When was the last time you saw that by a commentator, newspwrson or even a politician. I will miss his independent perspectives.
An interesting perspective that only considers the public side of O’Reilly’s life. Another commenter identified how Bill was always willing to correct errors he or the show made and he exhibited a quiet humility at those times. He also fought more than any public figure to restore Christmas, to fight for Christianity when the rest of the world fought for secularism. He fought for the little guy – Kate’s law and the soldier arrested in Mexico. He has been incredibly generous to charities and is singularly responsible for getting lots of vets the track chairs – something I have personally witnessed the benefits of for a severely disabled vet who was learning to fly fish. When the Lord judges someone, he judges the whole person not just the public personality. Careful that your own hubris does not create a false impression of who Bill O’Reilly really is.
Mickey, you make some excellent points and I am in agreement that Bill did a lot of good things. Fact is, I think I mentioned that I agree with a lot of his positions. But his overwhelming TV personality, in my view, is what we had to go by. And most folks I have talked to and have even responded to this post, had arrived at a similar conclusion on their own. But thanks for sharing your view. It’s definitely worth considering. Have a great weekend!
Couldn’t agree more Mark and its awww shame because the man was brilliant! David Wilkerson gave this advice to me one time concerning accountability. Never be alone with a female your not related to and always avoid any appearance of evil. Both will help protect you against false allegations!
Bill O’REILLY’ is the Greatest most honest most fair News or spokesperson in the,World….He is guilty of nothing! !! ….for anyone to believe He was stupid enough to say or do anything at the statin that was our of any real line makes them the most ignorant person in the world!
America has become so upside with its political correctness anything anyone says can and will be used against them by idiots!
The scary part of this is..is If We stand back and allow this to happen to Bill O’REILLY with out fighting for His rights We will are disablin our on Country from everything fair and balanced!!!
Thanks for your thoughts Marcia. I do agree with you that America is upside down with political correctness. And I’ll reiterate my comments about whether Bill was guilty or not with this quote from the article: “Whether Bill is guilty or not of the charges leveled against him is beyond the scope of this article. But Bill’s arrogance and pompous attitude loom large for anyone willing to see them.” Thanks again for sharing your perspective.