"Another example, sweetheart..." I said to my wife last evening while we were staring at our bedroom ceiling together. "...of one of my favorite proverbs...."
Before I could get it out, she completed my thought: "Yep. Sin makes you stupid."
Could you make this stuff up?
Yet another almost inconceivable example of this proverb has paraded itself through the media and monologues of our coast's late night comics. David Letterman, who admitted repeatedly that "I've made my share of mistakes" nonetheless could hardly comprehend how a powerful, bright legislator from New York might bring himself to take a picture of his private parts and then Twitter it off to the watching world. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/43307714#43307714
Letterman (Monday, June 6) was incredulous...and correct, of course. We've all made our share of "mistakes," or more Biblically speaking, we've all sinned (Romans 3:23). Every day we fall short of the glory of God. Each man or woman or child each day falls short. There is none righteous. No, not one.
Yet particularly stunning about Rep. Anthony Weiner's (D-NY) actions and admissions are two things.
First, in an age where anything offered onto the internet highway may go viral at light-speed--and there are scores of examples of public people who know this to their deep regret--Weiner "tweeted" his lewd picture nonetheless. Why would he think himself , even for a moment, to be the grand exception to the horrific consequences of even one ill-advised electronic communication? By what logic, wisdom, or sense would anyone conclude thusly?
Second, Rep. Weiner's action (as is so very often the case) was just one expression of a much larger lifestyle of pornographic, sexual sin. My own pastoral experience with people has verified this over and over and over again. When someone is caught in a sexual sin episode, that episode is almost always just the proverbial "tip of the iceberg." Below the surface, hidden underneath the water line in murkiness below, is a gigantic amount of the same kind of filth. For Weiner, it's been at least 6 women over years of time, with repeated "dirty" phone-sex conversations, etc., etc., etc.. Before his recent marriage, and now in his current marriage. Anyone may stupidly dismiss what is undeniably true: pornographic sexuality is a lighting fast slippery slope. You are neck deep before you know it.
Sin makes you stupid. The most intellectually brilliant men (and sometimes women) in the world often find themselves rolling and sloshing around in the filth of these things.
Solomon himself told his son(s), "Sin makes you stupid." Here is how he actually said it. "The one who commits adultery lacks sense, whoever does so destroys himself." (Prov. 6:32-33). "He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed."
What do you mean "stupid"?
The word "stupid" comes from the French through the Latin, stupere, "to be amazed." What I mean, then, is that sin presents itself to us as an amazing opportunity. It dazzles even as it entices. Other meanings emphasize ideas like "stunned," or "having slowed mental responses." "Slow witted."
Sin makes you amazingly stupid.
Sin presented itself as an amazing option to Eve standing with the Serpent in front of the forbidden Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Thief of Life dazzled and dulled Eve's thinking with the amazing possibility that disobeying God could, in fact, make her just like Him. Think of it. Sinning could make you like a Holy God. Does not make any sense? Sound stupid?
Exactly. No one is better at making the case than the Author of Sin himself. He woos, persuades, draws, offers, beckons, sells, convinces all of us virtually every moment of every day. "Sin isn't that bad. It's fun! It's harmless. Actually, it's an opportunity you simply do not want to pass up. It is soooo life-giving. Give it a shot. You'll be glad you did."
Righteousness - living rightly, acting wisely
"My son, obey my words
and treasure my commands.
Keep my commands and live.
Protect my teachings as you would the pupil of your eye.
Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 7:1-3)
None of us has to be stupid in sin. There isn't a temptation that presents itself to you that isn't (a) common to every person, and (b) successfully escapable (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Should you find yourself in the stupidity of sin right now, please, do yourself and those who love you a huge favor. Get broken. Admit your stupidity. Fall on your face before God and beg Him for help. He can do anything with a broken heart and a humbled life. He can, cleanse your heart and put your feet on the path of life. Jesus' death has paid for the penalty of the sin. Jesus' resurrection provides the power to step out and away from it. Once again, it's all about Jesus.
Most broken, humbled people also quickly realize they need help to rid the heart's investment in the massive iceberg that floats beneath the water line. Eve should have called on Adam's help in rightly assessing the Serpent's offer. We need each other to walk in wisdom and righteousness. So, look for a friend who loves you and Jesus Christ. He (or she) will help without shaming you, and you will need that help. Every one of us does.
My appeal? Make the choice to step humbly into the way of righteousness. Or, stay stupid. Each moment, it is your call.
Before I could get it out, she completed my thought: "Yep. Sin makes you stupid."
Could you make this stuff up?
Yet another almost inconceivable example of this proverb has paraded itself through the media and monologues of our coast's late night comics. David Letterman, who admitted repeatedly that "I've made my share of mistakes" nonetheless could hardly comprehend how a powerful, bright legislator from New York might bring himself to take a picture of his private parts and then Twitter it off to the watching world. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/43307714#43307714
Letterman (Monday, June 6) was incredulous...and correct, of course. We've all made our share of "mistakes," or more Biblically speaking, we've all sinned (Romans 3:23). Every day we fall short of the glory of God. Each man or woman or child each day falls short. There is none righteous. No, not one.
Yet particularly stunning about Rep. Anthony Weiner's (D-NY) actions and admissions are two things.
First, in an age where anything offered onto the internet highway may go viral at light-speed--and there are scores of examples of public people who know this to their deep regret--Weiner "tweeted" his lewd picture nonetheless. Why would he think himself , even for a moment, to be the grand exception to the horrific consequences of even one ill-advised electronic communication? By what logic, wisdom, or sense would anyone conclude thusly?
Second, Rep. Weiner's action (as is so very often the case) was just one expression of a much larger lifestyle of pornographic, sexual sin. My own pastoral experience with people has verified this over and over and over again. When someone is caught in a sexual sin episode, that episode is almost always just the proverbial "tip of the iceberg." Below the surface, hidden underneath the water line in murkiness below, is a gigantic amount of the same kind of filth. For Weiner, it's been at least 6 women over years of time, with repeated "dirty" phone-sex conversations, etc., etc., etc.. Before his recent marriage, and now in his current marriage. Anyone may stupidly dismiss what is undeniably true: pornographic sexuality is a lighting fast slippery slope. You are neck deep before you know it.
Sin makes you stupid. The most intellectually brilliant men (and sometimes women) in the world often find themselves rolling and sloshing around in the filth of these things.
Solomon himself told his son(s), "Sin makes you stupid." Here is how he actually said it. "The one who commits adultery lacks sense, whoever does so destroys himself." (Prov. 6:32-33). "He will get a beating and dishonor, and his disgrace will never be removed."
What do you mean "stupid"?
The word "stupid" comes from the French through the Latin, stupere, "to be amazed." What I mean, then, is that sin presents itself to us as an amazing opportunity. It dazzles even as it entices. Other meanings emphasize ideas like "stunned," or "having slowed mental responses." "Slow witted."
Sin makes you amazingly stupid.
Sin presented itself as an amazing option to Eve standing with the Serpent in front of the forbidden Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Thief of Life dazzled and dulled Eve's thinking with the amazing possibility that disobeying God could, in fact, make her just like Him. Think of it. Sinning could make you like a Holy God. Does not make any sense? Sound stupid?
Exactly. No one is better at making the case than the Author of Sin himself. He woos, persuades, draws, offers, beckons, sells, convinces all of us virtually every moment of every day. "Sin isn't that bad. It's fun! It's harmless. Actually, it's an opportunity you simply do not want to pass up. It is soooo life-giving. Give it a shot. You'll be glad you did."
Righteousness - living rightly, acting wisely
"My son, obey my words
and treasure my commands.
Keep my commands and live.
Protect my teachings as you would the pupil of your eye.
Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 7:1-3)
None of us has to be stupid in sin. There isn't a temptation that presents itself to you that isn't (a) common to every person, and (b) successfully escapable (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13).
Should you find yourself in the stupidity of sin right now, please, do yourself and those who love you a huge favor. Get broken. Admit your stupidity. Fall on your face before God and beg Him for help. He can do anything with a broken heart and a humbled life. He can, cleanse your heart and put your feet on the path of life. Jesus' death has paid for the penalty of the sin. Jesus' resurrection provides the power to step out and away from it. Once again, it's all about Jesus.
Most broken, humbled people also quickly realize they need help to rid the heart's investment in the massive iceberg that floats beneath the water line. Eve should have called on Adam's help in rightly assessing the Serpent's offer. We need each other to walk in wisdom and righteousness. So, look for a friend who loves you and Jesus Christ. He (or she) will help without shaming you, and you will need that help. Every one of us does.
My appeal? Make the choice to step humbly into the way of righteousness. Or, stay stupid. Each moment, it is your call.
