Because humans are made in God’s image, they have the ability to make moral decisions about what they believe is right for them. As we are built to live in concert with God’s will, any choice against that is a result of pride (Gen. 3:5, 4:7). Pride is a spiritual disposition, either in thought or deed, that exalts a distorted view of personal worth or authority (Dan. 4:28-34).We are born with a need to control and also the arrogance and pride to continue, even when what we do doesn’t work(Eph. 2:3). The problem is, many people believe in God by profession, but then live their lives as atheists in practice.There is no room for God in a heart that is full of itself (Ps. 10:3, 4; Prov. 25:27)! Ironically, self-exaltation results in humbling, while humility results in being exalted (Prov. 16:18; 27:2; Luke 14:11; 2 Cor. 10:18; 1 Pet. 5:5, 6). Pride says, ‘I will do what I will’, humility says ‘I will do what God wills’.

We naturally want to lean in the direction of self-righteousness. It is the desire to be totally correct or morally superior (Prov. 21:2). Even as Christians it is a constant temptation to believe that we can generate within ourselves a righteousness that will be acceptable to God (Rom. 3:10; Gal. 2:21). Self-righteousness is related to legalism and has an absence of grace that will lead us to be polarizing toward others.In light of all this, when we are wronged our responses can be twisted, confusing, boastful and sometimes downright evil (Eph. 4:31). These actions and ways of thinking are the outflow of our natural lean toward self-righteousness, this sinful nature produces damage against ourselves and those around us. When we act out in self-righteousness we are rebelling against God, which requires God’s forgiveness (Rom. 2:1-3). Our culture cheers on this self-righteous and boastful attitude (1 John 2:16) vs. how God would have us respond, with humility that leads to forgiveness as he forgave us (John 15:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 1:9).

We naturally want to lean in the direction of self-righteousness. It is the desire to be totally correct or morally superior (Prov. 21:2). Even as Christians it is a constant temptation to believe that we can generate within ourselves a righteousness that will be acceptable to God (Rom. 3:10; Gal. 2:21). Self-righteousness is related to legalism and has an absence of grace that will lead us to be polarizing toward others.In light of all this, when we are wronged our responses can be twisted, confusing, boastful and sometimes downright evil (Eph. 4:31). These actions and ways of thinking are the outflow of our natural lean toward self-righteousness, this sinful nature produces damage against ourselves and those around us. When we act out in self-righteousness we are rebelling against God, which requires God’s forgiveness (Rom. 2:1-3). Our culture cheers on this self-righteous and boastful attitude (1 John 2:16) vs. how God would have us respond, with humility that leads to forgiveness as he forgave us (John 15:5; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 1:9).

As we live in a fallen, self-focused world, everyone desires their view or feelings to be the standard of truth by which others should live. When others have what we want or don’t share our perspective, deception often happens to manipulate the situation to get our way (Deut. 35:13-16; Prov. 6:12-14; 11:1; 16:30). Deception is a purposeful manipulation of a situation to an unsuspecting person for sinful benefit. Deception in action emanates from the darkness of motivation (1 John 1:6). We share Satanic values when we choose to deceive, as deception is a passive form of lying that originates from hatred of God and truth (Gen. 3:13; Prov. 12:22; Eph. 4:25; John 8:44; Rev. 12:9). Deception is native to our sinful selves but should be foreign to our saved selves(Jer. 17:9; Col. 3:9)!

As we live in a fallen, self-focused world, everyone desires their view or feelings to be the standard of truth by which others should live. When others have what we want or don’t share our perspective, deception often happens to manipulate the situation to get our way (Deut. 35:13-16; Prov. 6:12-14; 11:1; 16:30). Deception is a purposeful manipulation of a situation to an unsuspecting person for sinful benefit. Deception in action emanates from the darkness of motivation (1 John 1:6). We share Satanic values when we choose to deceive, as deception is a passive form of lying that originates from hatred of God and truth (Gen. 3:13; Prov. 12:22; Eph. 4:25; John 8:44; Rev. 12:9). Deception is native to our sinful selves but should be foreign to our saved selves(Jer. 17:9; Col. 3:9)!

God designed men to work and primarily find satisfaction from protecting and providing for themselves, their family, and others (Gen. 2:15). Men often spend the best of their physical and mental years serving their families by working hard, long hours. Paul described his time as a leader in the church as being labor (Gr. kopos, ‘weariness from intense work’) and toil (Gr. mochthos, ‘pain from hardship’), working night and day to not be a burden on anyone. Fathers carry their weight and the weight of others!

God designed men to work and primarily find satisfaction from protecting and providing for themselves, their family, and others (Gen. 2:15). Men often spend the best of their physical and mental years serving their families by working hard, long hours. Paul described his time as a leader in the church as being labor (Gr. kopos, ‘weariness from intense work’) and toil (Gr. mochthos, ‘pain from hardship’), working night and day to not be a burden on anyone. Fathers carry their weight and the weight of others!

As water is weak in itself, it will always take the path of least resistance. Similarly, humans naturally pursue the easiest ways of navigating life, especially in areas they are scared or insecure. While we want the least problems, God desires the greatest payoff. The greatest payoff (Gr. therisomen, ‘to gather harvest’) for God and ourselves is not giving up on what we commit to when it becomes harder or more costly, but we finish instead. The farmer gets nothing if he’s not there at the end. Don’t look for your easy way out, look for God’s way through. As bodies become stronger through training so character is purified by adversity (Rom. 5:3, 4). Difficulty doesn’t remove responsibility!Endurance through difficulty is how the weak are made strong, fearful made brave, and the selfish made Christlike (Prov. 17:3). Precious metal is left in the fire until the impurities are removed, and the refiner’s reflection is seen in it. Metal not remaining in the fire stays impure, weak, and compromised (James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6, 7). In a give-up culture God calls us to endure-on!

As water is weak in itself, it will always take the path of least resistance. Similarly, humans naturally pursue the easiest ways of navigating life, especially in areas they are scared or insecure. While we want the least problems, God desires the greatest payoff. The greatest payoff (Gr. therisomen, ‘to gather harvest’) for God and ourselves is not giving up on what we commit to when it becomes harder or more costly, but we finish instead. The farmer gets nothing if he’s not there at the end. Don’t look for your easy way out, look for God’s way through. As bodies become stronger through training so character is purified by adversity (Rom. 5:3, 4). Difficulty doesn’t remove responsibility!Endurance through difficulty is how the weak are made strong, fearful made brave, and the selfish made Christlike (Prov. 17:3). Precious metal is left in the fire until the impurities are removed, and the refiner’s reflection is seen in it. Metal not remaining in the fire stays impure, weak, and compromised (James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6, 7). In a give-up culture God calls us to endure-on!

The Bible speaks of foolishness or ‘folly’ as a state of living apart from the wisdom and will of God. As people are born ignorant of God’s wisdom and rebellious against His will, everyone has foolishness (Gr. aphrōn, ‘without reason, senseless’) as part of their spiritual DNA (Prov. 22:15). Foolishness can be displayed by acting in ways that rebel against God and bring shame to self and others. Foolishness resides in the heart not in the head (Ps. 14:1; Prov. 12:15; 14:16; 19:3; 26:11; 28:26). Foolishness isn’t lack of education or immaturity but choosing against godly options which people are aware of through creation, conscience, and scripture. This means a person can be mentally intelligent but spiritually foolish. Foolishness leads to sin which ultimately ends in judgment (Rom. 1:18-20; Eph. 5:5-7; Col. 3:5-7). Intelligence without godliness is foolishness!