Fool's Folly

"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his [or her] folly." Proverbs 26:11

The word fool would really be best translated as idiot. The word "raca" was not something you wanted to be called. Being called a fool was an extremely shameful title.

Don't we all feel the shame of repeated sin or folly? I know I do. Yesterday, shortly after writing the blog about submission, I returned to my folly. I submitted to temptation not grace. I gave into old, familiar, hurtful wrong behavior. I could have chosen a different path, but in the moment of decision I didn't care about a better path. In that moment, I cared only about right then and right there. Sure I can justify my behavior. I can say that it didn't hurt anyone. But the truth is even though I was alone and wouldn't have even had to tell another person about it, it did hurt others. I can say that God understands and it is okay. Truthfully, God does understand but it is not okay. Sure, He will forgive me and offer grace. However, as Paul taught us I should not sin more to earn more grace.

How do I keep from repeating my folly? Simply it goes back to submission. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." If I could figure out how to submit, perhaps temptation wouldn't seem so tempting. God's promises never fail and they are always present to the believer. He promises to be faithful and not allow me (or us) to be tempted beyond what I (or we) are able to withstand. The catch is I (or we) have to be submitting to the rule and reign of the Holy Spirit in my (our) lives.

Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to "go and sin no more." He repeats that invitation to us all at the foot of the cross... "Meg, go and sin no more." To which I must say "I believe in your grace thou help my unbelief."