From Pastor Ben
Trivia:
Yesterday I asked you to guess:
What pink liquid medicine can treat an upset stomach? Is it Pepto-Bismol or Robitussin. Make one choice. The choice you all intelligently made was Pepto-Bismol, way to go!!!
So, since you are so intelligent here is a brain teaser. What psychological disorder is it that is called Boanthropy? Hint, it is where people think they are some animal that roams the field. More tomorrow.
Challenge:
Ecclesiastes 7:25 "I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness."
Today Solomon is addressing two considerations
1) Why do people even when recognizing the value of people living with Godly principles still chose to go the opposite way, following after wickedness?
2) What is the source of the madness to ignore the truth for what is historically proven to be in error, and loss?
The King James translates the first phrase as "I applied my heart to know." He attempted to find the inner truth to why are these the choices that others make even when they recognize the outcome that they are still choosing to go?
Paul gave this very warning to us in Colossians 2:8, "Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ."
Solomon was doggedly persevering in his search for greater wisdom and a solution to the human equation. He wanted to understand the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness, that is all around us. Why do people abandon themselves to debauchery and shame?
Good question isn't it?
In this world where there is so much truth at your very finger tip, there are still people who ignore their findings. When people ignore this vault of truth in the Bible, they come to a time when they recognize their mistakes. Unfortunately that is sometimes a place of no return.
First he was searching for just what is so attractive about wickedness? Colossians 2:8 warns "Don't let anyone capture you," in other words sin is captivating. We may ask "why" the answer is laid out further in this verse, by "the spiritual powers of this world." What is "anyone"? It is the worldly system surrounding us, our weak flesh, and the desire of Satan to destroy/squelch our soulish spiritual desires.
If you have come to this dilemma of knowing that what you are contemplating is potentially harmful, yet you still follow along in the path of potential harm, you are at the tip of the spear. The word of truth is to turn away from this action, to the way of blessing.
SO GO WITH GOD, my dear one. His way is always best, most fulfilling, and most enriching, no matter what the false promises may be. Don't walk into traps, rather turn to honor His truth. The opposing way may appear to be the way of wisdom it is really "empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense." Our Father's ways are full of blessing and eternal enrichment. Don't fall for it, my friend, the empty promise of satisfaction and meaning that the enemy lays out such as riches, influence, power, etc. They are all empty.