I was talking with a couple who were experiencing both sides of alcoholism. I could sense they were coming to a stark realization – both were being selfish. One was meeting their needs their way through alcohol while the other was meeting their needs their way by trying to save their alcoholic spouse. Both were selfish as both were trying to solve their problem their way.
Proverbs 28:26 makes this observation about such choices. “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” Other translations use mind or heart instead of themselves. No matter what word is used, though, God is telling us that solving our challenges our way is basically telling God to take a hike as, “I’m God now” (Ps. 14:1). We’d never say we’re God aloud, but we sure act like it at times, don’t we?
Choosing to listen to Jesus and then follow Him in any given situation brings safety, which in the Proverb means to make smooth or to rescue from a slippery situation. Think about it, what happens when we all of a sudden walk on something slippery? We usually fall, sometimes quite hard too.
Don’t want to fall and hurt yourself? Then stop acting like you’re God! Slow down the decision making process a tad. Stop and ask for God’s wisdom – the practical how to do. Then rely on the Spirit’s strength to do what He says. Then and only then will you stand on solid ground. That’s God’s promise to you.
S“E”t Free Nowww