Anderson Hills

Solomon spends a lot of time describing the fool. In fact, the words fool and foolish appear in the Book of Proverbs close to 80 times. Solomon states numerous ways that we can make fools of ourselves: be self-reliant, don’t seek counsel, don’t consult God for guidance; don’t learn from your mistakes; make sure others know you are always right; be sure to keep your eyes on the world; blame God for your problems; and forget about self-control. In the New Testament Paul tells us that it is actually okay for us to be fools— as long as we are fools for Christ’s sake!

Solomon spends a lot of time describing the fool. In fact, the words fool and foolish appear in the Book of Proverbs close to 80 times. Solomon states numerous ways that we can make fools of ourselves: be self-reliant, don’t seek counsel, don’t consult God for guidance; don’t learn from your mistakes; make sure others know you are always right; be sure to keep your eyes on the world; blame God for your problems; and forget about self-control. In the New Testament Paul tells us that it is actually okay for us to be fools— as long as we are fools for Christ’s sake!

Anger is a natural emotion. We all get angry! And while everyone gets angry, we don’t all get angry in the same way. We learn our preferred method of anger from our parents, from television, from a friend, or someone else. We usually learn to express anger in the way that it was most often demonstrated toward us. Scripture has a lot to say about anger, how it affects us and those to whom we express it. The Word tells us to acknowledge our anger, but not to sin in our anger. God advises us to deal with our anger quickly, and to maintain a forgiveness mindset.

Anger is a natural emotion. We all get angry! And while everyone gets angry, we don’t all get angry in the same way. We learn our preferred method of anger from our parents, from television, from a friend, or someone else. We usually learn to express anger in the way that it was most often demonstrated toward us. Scripture has a lot to say about anger, how it affects us and those to whom we express it. The Word tells us to acknowledge our anger, but not to sin in our anger. God advises us to deal with our anger quickly, and to maintain a forgiveness mindset.

No one typically wakes up and says, I think I’ll commit adultery today. It is really a slow process of taking baby steps toward it. Affairs happen because people are not serious about avoiding the risk factors. Allowing yourself to fall into compromising situations and rationalizing your actions is a quick way to commit adultery. We need to follow God’s wisdom and do whatever it takes to be pure in marriage.

No one typically wakes up and says, I think I’ll commit adultery today. It is really a slow process of taking baby steps toward it. Affairs happen because people are not serious about avoiding the risk factors. Allowing yourself to fall into compromising situations and rationalizing your actions is a quick way to commit adultery. We need to follow God’s wisdom and do whatever it takes to be pure in marriage.

When you rely on yourself to fight a secret pull toward a worldly desire, you’re on the fast track to addiction. An addiction to anything other than God Himself is wrong. God is the only One who can (and should) habitually satisfy and meet our needs. To do so with anything else draws us away from Him and displeases Him. He alone is worthy of our complete attention, love, and service. To offer these things to anything or anyone else is idolatry.

When you rely on yourself to fight a secret pull toward a worldly desire, you’re on the fast track to addiction. An addiction to anything other than God Himself is wrong. God is the only One who can (and should) habitually satisfy and meet our needs. To do so with anything else draws us away from Him and displeases Him. He alone is worthy of our complete attention, love, and service. To offer these things to anything or anyone else is idolatry.

Was there a time when you were closer to Jesus than you are today? If so, what happened? It is easy to drift away from God. It can be a subtle process that people may not even realize is happening. The primary reason is busyness. But other reasons, including temptation, circumstances, bad influences, and neglecting to spend time with God, can cause us to drift from Him. We need to acknowledge the truth that God didn’t move, we actually drifted away. God wants you to return to your first love and experience renewed fellowship with Him.

Was there a time when you were closer to Jesus than you are today? If so, what happened? It is easy to drift away from God. It can be a subtle process that people may not even realize is happening. The primary reason is busyness. But other reasons, including temptation, circumstances, bad influences, and neglecting to spend time with God, can cause us to drift from Him. We need to acknowledge the truth that God didn’t move, we actually drifted away. God wants you to return to your first love and experience renewed fellowship with Him.