Stupid Children

Scripture

“My people are foolish and do not know Me,” says the LORD. “They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong,
but they have no idea how to do right!”

~Jeremiah 4:22, NLT

Quote

Sin is folly and the unrepentant sinner is the greatest of all fools.

~Morning Quotes

I am currently reading the Revised English Bible [REB] and I was shocked when I read Galatians 3:1,3…“You stupid Galatians–You have been bewitched…Can you really be so stupid?” The word here in Galatians is usually translated ‘foolish’ and it is used only six times in NT. The NIV also uses the word stupid in place of the word ‘ignorance’ and the NLT uses the word ‘stupid’ even more than the NIV. The word ‘stupid’ means dull, unintelligent, dense, foolish and mindless. It’s a word I’ve heard my entire life–imagine that! Solomon didn’t practice what he preached but even he admitted that wickedness {sin} is stupid.

The word translated stupid by the REB in Galatians 3 is anoētos and is only found six times and one of those is Jesus speaking to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. So I turned there immediately to see how the REB translated this but this time the word stupid was not used…it reads…“How dull you are…” but the verse in Jeremiah really caught my attention… “They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!”

I don’t know if you realize it or not but drug addicts are clever. They have not only learned how to use drugs, they know how to use people. What they are doing to themselves and those around them is so utterly stupid but they don’t see it. The use of drugs is very destructive to the body, mind, and family of those who use them. The destructive nature of drugs and drug users has tentacles that reach out and grab others. The user is going down although in their mind, they think the opposite, and they latch on to whomever and take them down also. Their appetite and passion for drugs is so great that they are unable to see anything other than their need. Family, friends, it does not matter: their need is all that matters. They lose their ability to love and have compassion on others; what they want from you is to be enabled.

June and I attended Lilly’s COLS yesterday. It was a tribute to a young girl who loved Jesus and others. Her memorial service was a strong testimony of her love for Christ. I got to meet her parents for the first time. I will continue to left them up in prayer.

Spencer texted me yesterday: Tracey B got a good report in Houston. They are going to continue the same treatment. The cancer has not grown or spread. Continue to pray for Tracey.

We had another wonderful cottage prayer meeting at Don and Peggy’s last night. Peggy loves to host and I love being hosted: she had my three favorite sandwiches and the best lemon pound cake I have ever bit into: it was wonderful.

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