Most of us don’t like to be told the truth. We want to go on believing we’re doing a good job on the field, never truly craving the truth that can either reinforce what we’re doing well or reverse what we’re not doing well.
But the truth, even sometimes harsh, is our only hope to remedy mistakes and pursue excellence in the future.
Like a coach who tells you the honest truth, the Bible pulls no punches, especially in Proverbs.
Check out Proverbs 6:32–“The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; he who would destroy himself does it.”
Lacking sense. In other words, stupid.
Now, no one sets out intentionally to destroy himself, but it can look that way when we evaluate our dumbest decisions.
Here are some reasons for those dumb decisions (like being unfaithful to your current or future wife):
Lack of self-control.
Insecurity.
Not paying attention to the mistakes of others.
Refusing to consider the long term consequences of actions; instead, the focus is on the short term experience and pleasure.
Remember this, sin will take you farther than you want to go and cost you more than you want to pay. It will never be enough. Every decision you make matters, even the small ones you think are no big deal. Sin, particularly what this verse in Proverbs mentions, always ends in pain, disgrace, and all the things no one told you about.
Our hope to have sense, to not be destroyed, isn’t willpower. It’s Jesus. Only he faced temptation and didn’t sin. Lean on him.
Lord Jesus, you are my only hope to avoid destruction now and later. Be my savior. Amen.
