Proverbs 15:21
Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight.
Why would anyone want to go to heaven when the party’s going to be in hell? Sounds a little bit ridiculous rolling off the tongue doesn’t it? It may be ridiculous to you and me, logical to the guy who said it, but its nothing more than foolishness to the Lord. Surprised? Don’t be. I Corinthians 1:18 proclaims, “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Although the cross may be “the power of God” to Christians dwelling on their future home in glory, I am fearful that far too many of us are straying dangerously close to foolishness when it comes to our daily walk with the Lord.
Romans 7 and 8 teach us that there is a battle taking place in the mind of every believer. You and I each have the Holy Spirit (representing the good and perfect law of God) within us. He guides and counsels us with every decision we make. Although we have been set free from the bondage to slavery that once had complete and total control over our lives, until we leave this imperfect world, we will continually fight the temptations of our “flesh.” This battle is taking place in our minds and therefore, those who allow their minds to be set on the things of the flesh, rather than the things of the Spirit of God, will become a prisoner to the law of sin (Romans 7:23). This is why Paul reminds us in Romans 8:15 that, “You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, �Abba! Father!'” Nonetheless, we continue to take pleasure in the works of our flesh, forsaking the will of our heavenly Father. To those of us who are guilty of this, we are just as “senseless” as the man who wants to go to hell for the party. We are allowing folly to guide our daily walk rather than the Word of our Lord. As Proverbs 15:21 so bluntly puts it, our folly has become our joy because we lack the sense to daily walk the straight path to understanding.
May I ask who is winning the battle that continually wars within your mind? Has the Spirit of God established a firm and influential presence within you? Or has your flesh, convinced that foolishness is wise and sin is justifiable, deceived you? Hebrews 11:25 reminds us that the pleasures of sin will always be a passing sensation, never here for more than a short time. I pray that you would resist the temptation of a fleeting pleasure, and keep your eyes held fast to the straight path of understanding.
I challenge you to press on towards the goal of Jesus Christ. You will find that He is our only true joy!