A few years ago, I was with a few pastor buddies on April Fool's Day. We were talking about the times when people aren't thinking, times, when snap decisions become long-term disasters. We talked about church people and churches that make foolish decisions. We told stories about ourselves, our lives, marriages, and ministries when we did something foolish. One of my buddies called it "the spirit of dumb." And that got me thinking.

 

If I were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a verse on this, it would go like this: "Now the spirit of stupid came upon them and the folly of dumb descended upon them. We were sore afraid." (That's the Reversed Standard Perversion in the Book of Plattitudes.)

 

For the purpose of alliteration and rhetoric, I would like to rename this phenomenon and call it "the spirit of stupid." It is the behavior that causes Dr. Phil McGraw on television to ask people: "what were you thinkin'?" It is when people "check their brains at the door." If one looks at society, you will bizarre and crazy things everywhere. "The spirit of stupid" throws good judgment, good sense, good logic, and good ethics out the window. This is what I am calling "the spirit of stupid."

 

Now I know the word "stupid" sounds harsh. But the word is a synonym for Bible terms "fool," "foolish," "foolishness," or "folly". Sometime take a concordance and follow these words through the Bible. It will help you in your pilgrimage with God.

 

Education is no cure for "the spirit of stupid." Pastors, physicians, professors, and CEOs often get "the spirit of stupid." Factory workers, janitors, and truck drivers can have it too. "The spirit of stupid" is an equal opportunity employer. It is a choice, not something that just lands on you out of nowhere. "The spirit of stupid" is a chosen lifestyle and a way of life for many people.

 

Nations, cities and state governments can get "the spirit of stupid" when they violate God's laws and common sense. Deacons, elders, and pastors can get "the spirit of stupid." Many of us can tell stories of how churches chose the wrong pastor, made the wrong decision, took the wrong strategy, and followed "the spirit of stupid."

 

Sometimes whole nations can get "the spirit of stupid." How the German nation could follow a former house painter with a funny mustache to kill 6 million Jews, invade several countries, and start a multi-front war is beyond comprehension! How could Japan invade China, takeover the Philippines for no good reason, and bomb Pearl Harbor? That is "the spirit of stupid." If you know world history, this paragraph could go on for days.

 

The Bible is filled with examples of "the spirit of stupid." Here are just a few:

What are the characteristics of the "the spirit of stupid?" How can you spot it in your life?

1. "The spirit of stupid" is ego-based. It is arrogant and wise in one's own eyes. Proverbs 16:18 says: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

2. "The spirit of stupid" thinks the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. They don't realize that if they watered things on their side of the fence it could be just as green.

3. "The spirit of stupid" doesn't think in the future tense. Stupid people don't see cause and effects. They only think of what feels good at the moment.

4. "The spirit of stupid" is unaccountable to anyone. These lone rangers don't think they need anyone's advice. "The spirit of stupid" never listens to good counsel. Yet, Proverbs 15:22 says: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

5. "The spirit of stupid" does not think biblically. Tradition, feelings, expedience, prejudices, and other people's opinions have greater weight than the Bible to people afflicted with "the spirit of stupid."

6. "The spirit of stupid" moves fast and impulsively. Things like prayer and process are foreign to people who operate with "the spirit of stupid."

 

Let me give you a few examples of "the spirit of stupid." I have put in italics examples of these stupid things I hear all the time along with my answer:

 

"Jesus never spoke about homosexuality so we should not be opposed to same-sex marriage." This is what we call an argument from silence. It is an illogical argument. Just because our Lord did not talk about a topic does not rule out what Romans 1:18, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and other Bible passages say. Remember why God destroyed Sodom? That's why homosexual act is called sodomy. Do we just have the 4 Gospels in the Bible or is it 66 books? God does not contradict Himself or the entirety of His word!

 

"We are going to live together because we want to do it right." Are the right colors, tuxes, wedding dresses, a big ceremony, a ring, and some flowers more important than obeying God? What about following God's Word? God's prohibition on adultery is still in the Ten Commandments. Sex outside marriage is always sin!

 

"I am not happy in this marriage so I am getting a divorce." How can a person break their marriage promises, hurt their kids, discard a shared life, and dump their spouse? What about Matthew 19:19? There are no Biblical grounds for irreconcilable differences in God's eyes. "The spirit of stupid" in a divorce can bring on a lifetime of heartaches, tragedies, and regret.

 

The list of things directly connected to "the spirit of stupid" is endless but you get the idea.

 

Now you can control "the spirit of stupid." It is not something that hits you like the flu or the cancer. No, it is more something you can choose to do or something you can choose to avoid. "The spirit of stupid" is something you can prevent. How do you and I prevent "the spirit of stupid?" Here are some ways to put a stop to it:

 

1. Let God run your life. Proverbs 1:7 says: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." If God is first in your life, He will help you make wise decisions. The more yielded you are to the Lord, the wiser you will become.

 

2. Make the Bible your guide. Ask yourself: what does the Bible say? Just because the Bible is silent about a specific topic does not mean you can build a whole ethic on silence. Make sure you consult the whole Bible, not just a part of it. Make sure the one verse you use for your action really means what you think it means. Proverbs 6:22 describes the benefits of having God's word in your life this way: "When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you."

 

3. Seek the advice of wise and godly people. What do prudent and devout people say? Ask them! Proverbs 11:14 says: "Where there is no counsel, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." There is great wisdom in seeking the insight of good and godly advisors who can speak truth and guide you to follow God's ways.

 

4. Ask God for wisdom. Pray about any decision you need to make for a while. Are you getting any promptings from the Holy Spirit about this? If God isn't in your decision, you are doomed to failure. I know this from personal experience! John Wayne once said: ''Life's tough...it's even tougher if you're stupid." Life is hard enough, even harder yet if you are living on your own strength without God's Spirit. A good prayer to pray is in Psalm 25:4, 5: "Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

 

5. Move slowly and carefully . If the fruit is ripe, you don't have to yank it. If God is in it, you don't have to force it. Rushed decisions are often bad decisions. Ask yourself: Am I moving too fast? Remember the HALT principle - Don't make a decision if you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired!

 

6. Check yourself and your motives. Be certain that you are operating in God's Spirit and not your own. Proverbs 16:35 says "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Be sure that you are not working for your own benefit.

 

Forest Gump put it this way: "Stupid is as stupid does." Folks, let's be sure that "the spirit of stupid" does not show up in our talk, our thoughts, our behavior, our families, and in our lives. Let's help each other keep "the spirit of stupid" out of our lives. Let's not let "the spirit of stupid" invade our cities, state and nation. Let's not let the "the spirit of stupid" invade our church or our ministries!

 

In Jeremiah 6:16, God says: "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls."

 

Well, those are my thoughts and prayers for this week. I am leaving the spirit of stupid to follow the Spirit of God! You too?

 

So, see you for worship this Sunday at the on-line campus of East Hills Church!   Bring your Bible, a smile, and your family to the couch and recliners. In the comfort and safety of your home, Pastor Jonathan and I will do our best to inspire you, encourage you, and teach you.

 

Go live with us on Facebook at 9 AM Sundays.  After 9 AM on Sundays, you can go to www.easthillscc.org.  On the first page of our web-page will be a link that says "Watch This Week's Sermon." That will take you to another page where you can click on this week's sermon which is titled: "Re-Train Yourself with Bible Heroes!" Then, at the top of the page on the left side it will say "TruthCasting requires Adobe Flash Player." Click on "Get Flash." You can expand the screen at the arrows to watch the music and message from there. Click on the arrow in the middle of the screen and the sermon should start. You can also download the sermon outline too.