Self Destruction

5-10-2012 by Boyd Bailey “But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment, whoever does so destroys himself.” Proverbs 6:32 Lack of judgment can lead to self-destruction. There is an inherent life implosion for those who continue down the path of unwise decision-making. The result of poor judgment is self-destruction; the root of poor judgment is self-deception. Pride seems to pursue and capture those who are unwilling to understand and apply wisdom. They deceive themselves into thinking they have it all figured out, without the counsel and accountability of others. For example, adultery is poor judgment, but a sequence of unwise decisions started long before the act of unfaithfulness. Stealing is poor judgment, but the feeling of desperation could have been addressed early on, inspired by personal humility and teachability. Self-destruction can be avoided with openness to Christ and wise counsel. Therefore, listen and learn from those who love you and who love the Lord. “It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:5 Indeed, poor judgment destroys spiritual vitality, tarnishes the trust of others, and can remove the hand of God’s blessing. So how do we avoid poor judgment and its unseemly outcome? One remedy is to repent of self-sufficiency, surrendering in total dependence to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the foundation of faith and hope in Him which fuels our fear of Him, leverages our love for Him, and accelerates our obedience to Him. Self-denial precludes self-deception. A second cure is to invite a reality check from those who know you well and desire good consequences for your life. Ask for their advice and as you discover themes of timely truth, do what they suggest. Lastly, pray over God’s Word, learn from its wisdom, and be transformed by its application. An abundant life awaits you, as you die daily to self and come alive in Christ, act on wise advice, and marinate your mind in Scripture. “And let not your behavior be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God.” Romans 12:2, BBE Prayer: What current decisions do I face that require the wisdom of God and godly counsel from trusted advisors? Related Readings: Genesis 41:39; 2 Samuel 12:1-14; Romans 1:22-24; I Corinthians 15:31-34 God Bless! Logan Stout