7 Stupid Things People Do To Mess Up Their Lives
By PASTOR LAWRENCE POWELL
Published: December 20,
2010
We are all
guilty of behaving foolishly at one time or another. For some, it may have been
in the distant past; for others, it may be right now or in the near future.
Foolishness is a destructive force. Left unchecked, it can wreak havoc in one’s
life.
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Ephesians
5:15-17 states, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be
unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” I like the Contemporary
English Version: “Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are
evil times, so make every minute count. Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what
the Lord wants you to do.”
I believe the majority of people want to walk in wisdom. We want to have
successful, rewarding lives. It shouldn’t be a surprise to us, however, that
the areas in which we succumb to folly are common. With this in mind, I have
compiled a list of seven of the most common things people do to mess up their
lives and what the wise do to overcome them. I hope that as you read through
the list, you choose to heed the instruction of Proverbs 15:5 and be prudent,
receiving wisdom and correction.
Living like God doesn’t exist. Psalm 14:1 says,“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is
no God.’” You may think only the sinner would live this way, however (and
tragically, too) many Christians make the same mistake. When you live as if God
does not exist, He is not honored, recognized or acknowledged. You do
everything independently of God, living according to your own dictates and
desires. Your actions proclaim that you cannot allow God first place in your
life or He might direct you in ways you won’t want to go. The reality of His
supremacy is too much. The smart thing to do would be to say, “I will say of
the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust (Psalm
91:2).’”
Choosing pride over humility. The “big head” syndrome is deceptive and deadly. When we
walk in pride, we think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Pride is one of
the seven things God hates (Proverbs 6:17). Now, it’s
in line with Scripture to think of yourself highly, but do so in respect of the
Word and as God defines it. You are the apple of His eye and the summit of His
creation, but you can’t walk around thinking you’re better than the next
person. Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Andrew Young said, “We rise in
glory as we sink in pride.” The smart thing to do would be to humble yourself
and let God exalt you.
Talking too much. Proverbs 10:19 shares that in the multitude of
words, sin is not lacking. In fact, there are many instances in Proverbs where
too much talk is the defining feature of the fool. You know the old adage,
“Loose lips sink ships.” James 3 concurs. Our tongue is a very small rudder
that steers the course of our lives. As saints of the Most High God, we should
be mindful to use our tongues for constructive purposes instead of for
destructive purposes. We need to live by James 1:19. “Be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath.” The smart thing to do would be to get a handle on your
tongue. Make it a vehicle of life so that you can speak faith, life, peace,
healing and prosperity. Use it to minister grace to the believers and to
yourself.
Trusting in stuff. “He who
trusts in his riches will fall (Proverbs 11:28).” You might
have a lot of money, but when calamity comes it will not be your salvation. It
may provide medical assistance, but it can’t heal you. It might buy you Prozac,
but it can’t buy you peace. Jesus told us that it is hard for those who trust
in riches to enter the kingdom of God. That
doesn’t insinuate we must be destitute to enter the kingdom; it simply means
that we will have a hard time trusting and experiencing what the kingdom has to
offer if we place too much emphasis on things. The principle is this: if you
seek first the kingdom of God, all else
will be added to you. The smart thing to do would be to trust in the Lord and
operate like 1 Timothy 6:17-19, using material wealth to do good, to advance
the kingdom of God.
Mismanaging resources. The Message
Bible translates Proverbs 17:18 to read, “It’s stupid to try to get something
for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay.” We should manage what we
have and not focus on what the Jones’ have. Everyone should have a budget. It
should be realistic – even to the point of eliminating some things you simply
cannot afford. Hardworking, smart-working people will always be satisfied,
according to Proverbs 12:11. The smart thing to do would be to recognize that
everything we have comes from God and we should be faithful stewards of it. We
must be mindful of Luke 19:13 where Jesus
told us, “Occupy till I come.” In other words, He wants us to take care of
business and do all according to God and not men (Colossians 3:3).
Looking for love in all the wrong places. Proverbs 6:32 warns us
that whoever commits adultery destroys his own soul. I want you to consider
adultery in a broader sense. Our God is a jealous God. When we’re living in
violation of covenant and looking for love, affirmation and approval outside of
Him or the ones He’s placed in our lives, we will be led down the wrong road.
Distractions can be fatal. We know from Proverbs 6 that the adulteress’ guests
are in the depths of hell. Don’t be foolish, as described in Proverbs 9:13.
Don’t be simple, stupid or naive. The smart thing to do would be to walk in
wisdom and remove ourselves from the adulterous woman (Proverbs 5:8).
Destroying the family. Proverbs 14:1
tells us that the fool tears down his own house. Did you know, ladies, that
showing a lack of respect for your husband’s thoughts and ambitions will tear
down your home? Men, did you know that withholding that tender love and
affection from your wife will tear down your home? The smart thing to do would
be to live out Ephesians 5:22-33: Wives, you should submit to your husbands as
to the Lord. Husbands, you should love your wives as Christ loved the church.
Respect and love are integral to the success of your marriage and ultimately
your family. Choose to operate according to the biblical model, and you will
naturally foster a secure and healthy home.
Beloved, if we do the smart things, our lives will be rid of foolishness and we
will enjoy the favor and blessing of God. I know you want to be wise. That’s
why you’re reading this message and consulting the Word of God. Even if you’ve
failed in walking in wisdom consistently, you can turn from foolishness today.
You can make the commitment to be wise and thus invite wisdom’s blessings into
your life: safety (Proverbs 1:33), victory (Proverbs 2:7), salvation (Proverbs
2:12), guidance (Proverbs 2:20), power (Proverbs 8:14), peace (Proverbs 3:17),
honor (Proverbs 3:35), promotion (Proverbs 4:8), health (Proverbs 4:22), long
life and increase (Proverbs 3:16). You can be sure that through His grace and
direction, you will live successfully and be pleasing in His sight.
© Pastor
Lawrence Powell. All rights reserved.
| Seven Ways to Waste Your Time
By JOYCE MEYER
Published: October 20,
2010
Did you know
there’s a difference between being busy and being fruitful? Did you ever stop to
think that just being busy – running around in circles all day but not
accomplishing anything – is the same as wasting your time? It’s frustrating to
expend so much energy and time and not have any fruit from your effort! I think
a lot of our busyness is an attack from Satan, and I believe there are seven
different ways that he causes us to waste the time God has given us.
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The first way
we waste time is through what I call “dead works.” A dead work is trying to
make something happen and no matter what you do, it’s just not working. The
reason it’s not working is because it’s your work and not God’s. There’s a
difference between working the works of God and the works of the flesh. Dead
works wear us out and produce no fruit. They are done with wrong motives and
only bring us frustration. They steal our time and distract us from what God
has for us.
The second way we waste time is through worry. Worry will actually fatigue you
and can even make you sick. Worry pulls you away from your fellowship with God.
Matthew 6:25-26 says, Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy
(anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall
drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in
quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more
than they? (The Amplified Bible). These verses remind us that God will take
care of us! But when you choose to worry, you open a door for the devil to work
in your life. When you pray instead, you open a door for God to work.
The number three time-waster is reasoning. Are you a “figure-outer”? I used to
be. In fact, I was addicted to figuring things out. If I had a problem or if
there was something going on in my life that I didn’t understand, I would
rotate my mind around and around it until I felt like I had an answer. I
couldn’t have any peace until I felt like I knew what was going on. I wanted to
be in control. It’s important to realize that there will always be unanswered
questions in life and things you don’t understand. Trying to figure these
things out will only make you more confused.
The fourth thing is guilt. I was tormented with guilt for years and years. In
fact, it was so bad that if I didn’t feel wrong, I didn’t feel right! But I
have learned what Romans 8:1 means, about not living under condemnation. And if
you have asked for God’s forgiveness and truly repented…you are forgiven! You
are the righteousness of God in Christ, and you have nothing to feel guilty
about.
Number five is anger. Whatever is making you so angry, it’s time for you to
give it to God and get over it. Life isn’t fair, but God is. He will bring
justice into your life, but you must drop that offense, leave it, let it go,
and trust God to bring resolution in His perfect timing.
The sixth way we waste our time is by trying to fix someone who doesn’t want to
be fixed. Even Jesus Himself couldn’t heal or deliver or rescue someone unless
they really wanted His help. And if He couldn’t do that, we surely can’t.
The seventh way to waste time is through dread. What is the point in dreading
something that will happen anyway? You may dread paying bills or doing the
dishes or even going to the grocery store. But it’s time for you to get a new
attitude. God said to have dominion! It’s time for you to take the authority
you have in Jesus and overcome dread.
Now is the time to start being productive and to stop wasting time. Make the
positive choice to start bearing good fruit in your life every single day.
© Joyce Meyer.
All rights reserved.
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