STUPIDITY: TO GROW OR NOT TO GROW, THAT IS THE QUESTION!
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Let us start by asking questions: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? WHERE ARE YOU NOW? WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE? HOW WILL WE GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B AND BEYOND? WILL I HOLD MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE AND EVALUATE MY PROGRESS OR LACK OF PROGRESS? ARE WE HONESTLY AWARE OF WHERE I NEED TO INCREASE, IMRPOVE, GROW AND DEVELOP? ARE WE TRAPPED SO MUCH THAT WE AVOID CORRECTION? CORRECTION CAN SEEM PAINFUL AT THE PRESENT TIME. Not correcting ourselves can bring more PAIN and BLAME down the road of life.
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Hebrews 12:11 (MSG) At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
*DISCIPLINE: To correct, instruct, rebuke, The practice of training to obey the rules, code of behavior, correction, punishment, reward, instruction.
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF DISCIPLINE. 1. DISCIPLINE BY OTHERS. 2. SELF DISCIPLINE… discipline by others is embarrassing.
ALBERT EISTEEN said: IT IS INSANE TO KEEP DOING THINGS THE SAME OLD WAY AND EXPECT A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.
IGNORANCE IS NOT KNOWING OR NOT UNDERSTANDING…
STUPIDITY IS KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING BUT DOING THE WRONG THING ANYWAY…
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James 4:17 (MSG) In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.
*STUPIDITY: no common sense, slow, TO KNOW TO DO GOOD AND NOT DO IT… Doing wrong anyway, slow, Behavior that shows a lack of good sense or judgement, unintelligent, little to no understanding, folly, ignorance, foolish, weak minded.
GROWTH PLATE:
We had a son break his finger at school. We rushed him to a specialist. The doctor was very concerned not that it was a bad break but that the break was at what he called the GROWTH PLATE. We learned there are dark lines in X-RAYS they call growth plates. If the growth plate is injured that finger will not grow as the other fingers will. The growth plate is CARTILAGE. As the maturity of growth occurs these soft tissue areas will harden into bones. When mature the GROWTH PLATES will not be dark areas, they will turn into bone. GROWTH PLATES ARE NOT IN ADULTS IN X-RAYS.
The injury to the growth plate has the potential to stop bone growth. This can possibly cause deformity. The average female growth plates close around 14 to 16. In males the growth plates become bone at about 16 to 18.
WHAT CAN A LITTLE STUPIDITY DO TO A FAMILY OR A CHURCH? IGNITOR? SPARK? ONE MATCH?
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
PARADIGM SHIFT --- GEARS? WE NEED A DIVINE SHIFT TO MOVE OR CHANGE FROM WHERE WE ARE TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE… AS A MAN THINKS? COME AND ACKNOWLEDGE WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR THINKING PATTERNS…
Proverbs 23:7(a) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
Joseph knew there was a time for 70 of his family to go to Egypt! Moses knew there was a time for God’s people to leave Egypt! Moses, it is time to quit going around this mountain! Naomi and Ruth knew there was a time to leave Moab and head home! John the Baptist knew it was time to prepare for the coming of Christ Jesus! CHANGES!
COULD WE BE STUCK IN A SPIRITUAL RUT? Lack of Bible study? Little effective prayer? You are not learning or stretching your faith? Are you tired all the time? Church has lost its excitement? DO YOU HAVE A RAT IN YOUR SPIRIT? RATS QUICKLY REPRODUCE…
RUT: groove, we often need something to PULL US OUT OF THE RUT… SPIRITUAL RUTS: Spiritual growth does not automatically occur. I watch caterpillars climb out of a tree. Some crawled in a mud rut. When the trucks went through the rut they were mashed and killed. The ones not in a rut lived to become butterflies.
COULD THIS RUT LEAD US TO CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION? We could renew our minds to quit accepting the pain, hurt and wounds of yesterday and today. QUIT ACCEPTING THE PAIN AS A NORM.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We need to accept the challenge to overcome all the obstacles and hindrances to healthy growth. GROWTH MUST ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE THAT WE ARE GOING TO PROMOTE THE OPPORTUNITIES INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THE TRIALS AND PROBLEMS.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THIS STUPID RUT? DO WE HAVE A PLAN? YOU COULD IF YOU WANTED TO?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
PURPOSED: Develop a plan for growth? Is making progress a happenstance or accident? Healthy growth will happen when we prepare for conducive areas to develop protective areas from injury and harm. We need to develop and help the right nutrients and to avoid any thing that could dwarf or hinder growth.
I WILL BUY THAT TICKET? DO WE UNDERSTAND: IGNORANCE DOES NOT KNOW BETTER? STUPIDITY KNOWS BETTER AND CONTINUES? WHAT IS WISDOM? THE FARE FOR THE TICKET CAN BE COSTLY?
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
CAN WE AGREE THAT STUPIDITY IS STUPID! QUE SERA, SERA… WHAT WILL BE WILL BE. STUPIDITY LOVES THE COMFORT ZONE… I feel so good here. I think I shall stay here.
STUPIDITY ALWAYS WORKS ON COMPARING AND TRYING TO BE LIKE OTHERS… DARE NOT COMPARE… BE YOURSELF.
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
STUPIDITY RUNS AROUND LIKE A CHICKEN WITH ITS HEAD CUT OFF. FEAR, ANXIETY… KING SAUL’S CHOICES.
1 Samuel 13:7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
1 Samuel 13:11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
Stupidity plays the ROLE OF A VICTIM SPIRIT. Everyone picks on me. No one understands what I am going through… HOW DRY I AM…
WISDOM TEACHES I AM A WINNER EITHER WAY. I SHALL ATTAIN TO A VICTORY LEVEL. You must face your giant and quit running away… FEAR ALWAYS HINDERS GROWTH…
STUPIDITY HAS A BIG MOUTH AND TALKS A LOT… WISDOM KNOWS WE MUST DO MORE THAN JUST TALK… WELL DONE IS BETTER THAN WELL SAID…
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
STUPIDITY BELIEVES IN GOOD LUCK. IF THIS IS NOT MY LUCKY DAY I WILL QUIT… I feel lucky. This is my LOTTERY DAY.
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Hebrews 10:35 (MSG) So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! 36 But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.
STUPIDITY QUITS: It may not be a true statement: WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH THE TOUGH GET GOING… I have found the opposite to be true. When the problems get hard many quit…
John 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
STUPIDITY REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. (Physical, mental and emotional health)
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
We tend to play games and not see how serious that our bodies are sacred where the Holy Spirit should reign. Life is more than pleasure and entertainment. Have it your way is not Biblical. Do we live to please God? Do we invest all in the temporal instead of the eternal issues?
We said BODY EXERCISE PROFITS LITTLE? Rest? Diet? Are you actively pursuing self-improvement? Acknowledge the choices you are making can have effect/affect on your life. Are we honestly aware of our choices of our words, values, attitudes, habits, behavior, family and church? WHAT MUST WE CHANGE? Your body is the temple of God…
STUPIDITY HAS NO GOALS, NO PLANS… no one plans on failure. They fail because they have no plans. We need some dreamers… WHY ACCEPT THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE? WHY NOT DREAM OF HOW THINGS COULD BE?
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Wisdom learns procrastination is a dangerous tool that injures many. Wisdom knows today is the best day TO TRY HARDER, TO REDEEM THE TIME… use your time better, purposeful and intentional.
I GUESS I KNOW IT ALL… Stupidity thinks I have attained and I need no further advancement. Stupidity says I KNOW IT ALL… SIT BACK AND TAKE IT EASY. YOU HAVE ARRIVED… (We have a taxi service in our area called: “ARRIVE ALIVE.” I don’t think the name: “ARRIVE DEAD” could succeed.
Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 8 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
CONCLUSION: Stupidity cannot see the LURE OF THE BAIT AND THE TRAP THAT HOOKS. Wisdom knows there are BAD HABITS then there are GOOD HABITS. Wisdom learns procrastination is a dangerous tool that injures many. Wisdom knows today is the best day to learn and do better. STUPIDITY has to learn for herself. Wisdom learns from mistakes… but REAL WISDOM LEARNS BY WATCHING THE MISTAKES THAT OTHERS MAKE AND THEN DOES THINGS DIFFERENTLY. STUPIDITY WORKS ON PRESUMPTION –ASSUMPTION… DIG THE WELL DEEP MY FRIEND.
Personal growth can bring great happiness, contentment, joy and peace to daily life. WHAT WILL TRIGGER ME TO HOLD MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE and improve myself? CHANGE ME AND I WILL CHANGE THE WORLD… GO AND GET A MENTOR, MODEL AND MOTIVATION… WE MUST IMPROVE AND DO BETTER… WE SEEK WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE…
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
