From Gary... Better days are upon us

I would love to be able to enter McDonald's and order from this menu- just look at the prices!!!  In fact, this is a real McDonald s menu, only from 1972. And back then I earned a lot less; under $4 an hour, as I remember. Still, you can buy a lot from this menu for four bucks!!!  But, were the "good old days" really that good? Remember, Nixon, Watergate, Vietnam, race riots, etc.. Now, think of yourself as a Jew just prior to the coming of Jesus. You have the LAW, THE PROPHETS AND THE PSALMS, and the COMMUNITY of Judaism, and the CULTURAL MEMORY of God's DELIVERANCE and HIS PROMISES!!! Compared to the world around you- you are somebody; because God loves you and has proved it over and over.  But, with all this, something is not quite right- you still sin occasionally. Why? Well, apart from the willful desire to sin, you have the LAW, which is complicated enough by itself, but add in the traditions accumulated over centuries and the teachings of the Jewish hierarchy and faithfully practicing your religion goes from being complicated system to being an almost impossible burden. Then, Jesus comes, and his unique teachings seem to change everything; What do you do now? Consider...

Hebrews, Chapter 8 (WEB)

6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.  7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.  8 For finding fault with them, he said, 

“Behold, the days come”, says the Lord,

“that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;

  9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers,

in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt;

for they didn't continue in my covenant,

and I disregarded them,” says the Lord.

  10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel.

After those days,” says the Lord;

“I will put my laws into their mind,

I will also write them on their heart.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.

  11 They will not teach every man his fellow citizen,

and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’

for all will know me,

from their least to their greatest.

Rules are for children who do not intuitively know right from wrong; Adults should!!! When Jesus came, he looked at the "rules"(the LAW) through different eyes- at why they were there in the first place. His understanding was coupled with a heart set on truly pleasing God and knowing what The Father would want him to do. And this changes everything!!! I would rather have GRACE any day than LAW, wouldn't you? Being a Christian is more about knowing God and doing your best to do what he has told you to do than just arbitrarily following a rule. Simple- no, wonderful, yes!!! 

One last passage....

Matthew, Chapter 7 (WEB)

 21  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.   22  Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’   23  Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ 

  24  “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.  25  The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.  26  Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.   27  The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” 

LOVE GOD, PLEASE GOD- REPEAT (until eternity)

Jesus Seminar: No Hidden Agenda by Trevor Major, M.Sc., M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=602

Jesus Seminar: No Hidden Agenda

by	Trevor Major, M.Sc., M.A.

The Five Gospels (Funk, et al., 1993) is not your mother’s Bible. It is a reference work summarizing the present conclusions of Fellows of the Jesus Seminar. The authors wish you to know, from the very beginning, that this book is not the Gospel for conservative Christianity. They appear to sneer at translations “made by academics and endorsed by church boards” (p. xiv). They state that their translation, the Scholars Version, “is free of ecclesiastical and religious control” (p. xviii). Indeed, as its name intends to convey, this is a work “authorized by scholars.” By implication, other versions are suspect because their respective translators allowed their beliefs, or the constraints of church politics, to influence their work.

Of course, anyone who has studied the history of translations acknowledges this potential bias, and compensates accordingly. The Five Gospels is no less deserving of careful consideration. For all its claims to objectivity, Bible students also must consider the translation biases of this new Gospel account [see feature article].

However, these biases go beyond a higher critical approach to translation. The authors make it known that their work upholds the naturalistic world view. They dedicate the book to Galileo Galilei “who altered our view of the heavens forever,” to Thomas Jefferson “who took scissors and paste to the gospels,” and David Friedrich Strauss “who pioneered the quest of the historical Jesus.” They use Galileo and Scopes to perpetuate the tired and questionable conflict metaphor of science versus faith (see Major, 1994). In their assessment,

The contemporary religious controversy, epitomized in the Scopes trial and the continuing clamor for creationism as a viable alternative to the theory of evolution, turns on whether the worldview reflected in the Bible can be carried forward into this scientific age and retained as an article of faith. Jesus figures prominently in this debate. The Christ of creed and dogma, who had been firmly in place in the Middle Ages, can no longer command the assent of those who have seen the heavens through Galileo’s telescope (p. 2).

In other words, if we give up a literal Creator, then we also should give up divine inspiration and a miracle-performing, risen Christ. Clearly, their mission is to constrain biblical history by empirical science, just as evolutionists have attempted to constrain natural history by empirical science. However, this changes neither the deliberate bias of naturalism against non-naturalistic answers, nor the obvious limitations of empirical science.

REFERENCES

Funk, Robert W., Roy W. Hoover, and the Jesus Seminar (1993), The Five Gospels—The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus (New York: Macmillan).

Major, Trevor (1994), “Is Creation Science?,” Reason & Revelation, 14:17-23, March.

From Mark Copeland... "THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY" The Duties Of Parents

                    "THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY"

                         The Duties Of Parents

INTRODUCTION

1. Marriage as a sacred institution joins together a man and a woman   ...
   a. As husband and wife in holy matrimony
   b. Each with their God-given duties to one another

2. We’ve considered the duties of husbands, who are commanded to...
   a. Love their wives
   b. Respect their wives
   c. Support their wives

3. We’ve considered the duties of wives, who are commanded to...
   a. Submit to their husbands
   b. Love their husbands
   c. Manage the home

[God’s purpose for marriage is to create families in which children have
the benefit of parents who provide the best upbringing possible.  For
this to occur, parents must fulfill their duties...]

I. THE DUTIES OF FATHERS

   A. PROVIDE LIFE’S NECESSITIES...
      1. Parents ought to provide for their children - 2Co 12:14
      2. A man who fails to do so for his family is worse than an
         infidel - 1Ti 5:8

   B. DO NOT PROVOKE CHILDREN TO WRATH...
      1. This admonition found twice in the Scriptures - Ep 6:4; Col 3:21
      2. By unreasonable commands; by needless severity; by the
         manifestation of anger - Barnes
      3. Lest by your continually finding fault with them, they should
         lose all courage, and despair of ever pleasing you - ibid.

   C. PROVIDE SPIRITUAL TRAINING...
      1. In the training (discipline, ESV) and admonition (instruction,
         ESV) of the Lord - Ep 6:4
      2. Training by way of instruction - e.g., Deut 6:6-7; 32:46; Ps 78:4-6
         a. Note that the Word must first be in the father’s heart
         b. Then the father can lead his family like Joshua led his
            family - cf. Jos 24:14-15
      3. Training by way of example - considering the following:  When
         the father is an active believer, there is about a seventy-five
         percent likelihood that the children will also become active
         believers. But if only the mother is a believer, this
         likelihood is dramatically reduced to fifteen percent. - Keith
         Meyering, Discipleship Journal, #49, p.41

   D. PROVIDE LOVING DISCIPLINE...
      1. Even as our heavenly Father disciplines His children - He 12:6-10
      2. Even though it may be unpleasant at times - He 12:11; cf. Pr 13:24

[From the duties of fathers, let’s now move on to...]

II. THE DUTIES OF MOTHERS

   A. LOVE THEIR CHILDREN...
      1. As older women were to admonish younger women - Tit 2:4
      2. For sin can lead to a lack of proper affection - Ro 1:31
      3. Tragically, more than 200 women kill their children in the
         United States each year - American Anthropological Association

   B. MANAGE THEIR HOUSEHOLDS...
      1. A primary responsibility of the wife and mother - Tit 2:5; 1Ti 5:14
      2. An important quality of the virtuous woman - Pr 31:10-31
      3. The most creative job in the world involves fashion,
         decorating, recreation, education, transportation, psychology,
         romance, cuisine, literature, art, economics, government,
         pediatrics, geriatrics, entertainment, maintenance, purchasing,
         law, religion, energy and management. Anyone who can handle all
         those has to be somebody special. She is. She’s a homemaker.
         - Richard Kerr quoted in Homemade, Feb. 1989

   C. PROVIDE SPIRITUAL TRAINING...
      1. Especially when male leadership is lacking
      2. As seen in the case of Timothy
         a. His mother was a Jew, his father a Greek - Ac 16:1
         b. Perhaps contributing to Timothy not being circumcised - cf.Ac 16:3
         c. But Timothy had become a disciple, well spoken of - Ac 16:2
         d. His faith positively influenced by his grandmother and
            mother - cf.  2Ti 1:5
      3. Too often, fathers neglect spiritual training, leaving mothers
         to pick up the slack

CONCLUSION

1. Blessed are the homes in which...
   a. Fathers fulfill their duties as Christian men
   b. Mothers fulfill their duties as Christian women

2. No home is perfect, and as fathers and mothers we often fall short...
   a. But with God’s grace and mercy, let us do the best we can
   b. Let us give our children the guidance that they may succeed where
      we have failed

Finally, some food for thought:  Seven Ways To Impact Your Child’s Faith

1. Model a growing and personal faith. [If they don’t see it, they won’t catch it.]

2. Include faith in normal conversations.

3. Be well-rounded. [Don’t compartmentalize your faith.]

4. Be authentic.

5. Serve together

6. Pray for your children and with them.

7. Learn and communicate love in their language.

                                -- The Relaxed Parent by Tim Smith

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... Choice, decision and consequences

You are responsible for what you do; while it is true that situations or people may influence you, ultimately you must bear the consequences for the decisions that you make. And the decisions you make are based on choices, plain and simple!!!  A good example of this is found in the book of Joshua...

Joshua, Chapter 7 (WEB)

The Choice to Sin

 1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against the children of Israel. 

The Disaster of Sin

 4 So about three thousand men of the people went up there, and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 The men of Ai struck about thirty-six men of them, and they chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim, and struck them at the descent. The hearts of the people melted, and became like water. 6 Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before Yahweh’s ark until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.  7 Joshua said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? I wish that we had been content and lived beyond the Jordan!  8 Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!  9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. What will you do for your great name?” 

The Revelation of Sin

  13  “Get up! Sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, “There is a devoted thing in your midst, Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted thing from among you.” 

  14  “‘In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. It shall be that the tribe which Yahweh selects shall come near by families. The family which Yahweh selects shall come near by households. The household which Yahweh selects shall come near man by man.  15 It shall be, that he who is taken with the devoted thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of Yahweh, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’” 

  16  So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes. The tribe of Judah was selected.  17 He brought near the family of Judah; and he selected the family of the Zerahites. He brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was selected.  18 He brought near his household man by man, and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected.  19 Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him. Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!” 

  20  Achan answered Joshua, and said, “I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.  21 When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.” 

  22  So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent. Behold, it was hidden in his tent, with the silver under it.  23 They took them from the middle of the tent, and brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel. They laid them down before Yahweh.

The Penalty for Sin

24 Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor.  25 Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? Yahweh will trouble you this day.” All Israel stoned him with stones, and they burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.  26 They raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Yahweh turned from the fierceness of his anger. Therefore the name of that place was called “The valley of Achor” to this day.


Sin is nothing less that departure from the will of God. Achan's choice let to Achan's sin and Achan's sin led to the death of 36 people. Both Achan and his family were executed for this and while this may sound severe, remember 36 people died.  

Truth: we pay for the decisions we make. Achan realized his sin, but he still had to accept the consequences for his actions!!!  We do as well!!!! 

The choices you make are yours, accept the responsibility for them. DON'T PLAY THE BLAME-GAME!!!  Do yourself a favor- read and reread the graphic (you ultimately will be glad you did)!!!

Jesus Was Logical by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=653

Jesus Was Logical

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

The view of Jesus that prevails in popular culture is one that portrays Him as unconcerned with logic and correct attention to doctrinal detail. Diluted Christendom has conjured up a Jesus that is non-confrontational, “politically correct,” and would never be “judgmental” or “intolerant.” Nevertheless, the New Testament—the only source for ascertaining the identity of Jesus—depicts Him in a completely different light.

Take, for example, the occasion in John 7 when the Jews were critical of Jesus for having healed on the Sabbath a man who suffered from a 38-year-old ailment (John 5:2-9). Many would suppose that Jesus would not be concerned with careful conformity to the Law. They would assume that Jesus would chide the Jews for their nit-picky, legalistic approach to religion, and that He would be quite willing to dismiss the requirements of the Law in order to give priority to human need in the name of compassion. Unfortunately, this viewpoint is fraught with error, not the least of which is its demeaning assessment of law—law which God, Himself, authored. Law, according to God, is given for human well-being (Deuteronomy 6:24; 10:13; Proverbs 29:18). God’s law is “holy and just and good” (Romans 7:12), and serves divinely-intended, positive purposes (e.g., Romans 3:20). Indeed, Jesus’ handling of His persecutors on this occasion illustrates the high regard He had for law, the necessity of carefully conforming to it, and the critical importance of applying it accurately.

Calling attention to the miracle He performed, Jesus offered a logical rebuttal to the allegation that He violated the Sabbath. Here is that argument placed in syllogistic form:

1. If the Law of Moses requires the circumcision of a male infant on the 8^th day after birth—even when the 8^th day falls on the Sabbath—then healing a man on the Sabbath is equally legal.
2. The Law of Moses requires the circumcision of a male infant on the 8^th day after birth—even when the 8^th day falls on the Sabbath.
3. Therefore, healing a man on the Sabbath is equally legal.

Jesus then offered a concluding admonition that cinched the validity of His argument: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (vs. 24). Making application of God’s laws based on “appearance” refers to doing so based on how things seem or look to the person making the judgment, i.e., forming an opinion based on inadequate evidence. To the contrary, to “judge with righteous judgment” means to make accurate assessments by drawing only warranted conclusions from the evidence, i.e., thinking and acting rationally.

This one incident in the life of Christ is typical of His behavior on other occasions, proving that Jesus was logical in His approach to life. It demonstrates the high respect He had for law. It spotlights Deity’s concern for careful compliance with law. All who desire to be like Christ must emulate these same concerns. As Jesus Himself stated: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

From Mark Copeland... "THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY" The Duties Of Wives

                    "THE CHRISTIAN HOME AND FAMILY"

                          The Duties Of Wives

INTRODUCTION

1. Marriage as a sacred institution joins together a man and a woman...
   a. Husband and wife in holy matrimony
   b. Each with their God-given duties to one another

2. Previously, we considered the duties of husbands, who are
   commanded...
   a. Love their wives
   b. Respect their wives
   c. Support their wives

[Now letis consider what the inspired apostles of Christ taught were the
duties of wives, beginning with one that seems to offend many today...]

I. SUBMIT TO YOUR HUSBANDS!

   A. DEFINING THE WORD "SUBMIT"...
      1. The Greek word is hupotasso - to subordinate, to obey
      2. To be under obedience, in subjection to, submit self unto - Strong's
      3. To submit to the orders or directives of someone - Louw Nida
      4. An example:  Jesus submitting to the will of His Father - Jn 6:38

   B. WIVES ARE TO SUBMIT TO THEIR HUSBANDS...
      1. As the church submits to Christ, in everything - Ep 5:22-24
         a. Presuming that it is in keeping with the will of God - Ac 5:29
         b. For husbands must not abuse their authority - 1Pe 3:7
         c. Indeed, husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the
            church - Ep 5:25-27
      2. Even as Christians wives are to submit to:
         a. God - Jm 4:17
         b. The government - Ro 13:1-5; 1Pe 2:13-15
         c. Their masters - 1Pe 2:18; 3:1
         d. Their elders - He 13:17; 1Pe 5:5
         e. One another - 1Pe 5:5; Ep 5:21
      3. Without nagging, with gentleness and quietness - 1Pe 3:1-4
      4. With respect, even as Sarah respected Abraham - 1Pe 3:5-6; cf.Ep 5:33

   C. WHEN WIVES FAIL TO SUBMIT...
      1. It is not fitting in the Lord - Col 3:18
         a. Grk., aneko - to pertain to what is due, duty, as was
            fitting
         b. In keeping with Jesus' own teaching and example - cf. Mt 20:25-28
      2. The family unit will often be in turmoil
         a. To have a social organization that is functional, you must
            have some chain of authority
         b. God is the head of Christ, Christ the head of man, man the
            head of woman - 1Co 11:3
         c. In the family, it is Godis Will the husband be the head of
            the wife, and that parents be over their children
            - otherwise, the family will be dysfunctional
      3. God will not be gracious to them - 1Pe 5:5
         a. God gives grace to those who humbly submit
         b. He will not grant favor to those who proudly resist His will
         c. Just the prayers of a husband who mistreats and disrespects
            his wife are hindered, so the prayers of a wife who refuses
            to submit to her husband! - cf. 1Pe 3:7
      4. It may even have a bearing on the sexual orientation of the children!
         a. A study by Dr. Irving Bieber was made of the family
            background of 106 male homosexuals
         b. Dr. Bieber found that 81 mothers were dominating
         -- What Everyone Should Know About Homosexuality, LaHaye, p.71-72

[Sadly, lives are ruined when people wonit listen to the teachings of
Jesus and His apostles.  Wives need to submit to their husbands, just as
Christians are to submit to Christ.  Another admonition...]

II. LOVE YOUR HUSBANDS!

   A. WITH AFFECTION...
      1. "admonish the young women to love their husbands" - Tit 2:4
         a. Grk., philandrous - "fond of man, i.e. affectionate as a wife" - Strong's
         b. "pertaining to having affection for a husband --'having love
            for one's husband, having affection for oneis husband.'" - Louw-Nida
      2. This affection is something that can be taught (learned); if
         needed, seek advice from a mature sister in Christ - Tit 2:3-4

   B. WITH INTIMACY...
      1. To prevent unfaithfulness - 1Co 7:2
      2. Rendering affection properly due, not withholding marital
         rights- 1Co 7:3-4
      3. Abstaining only with mutual consent, for the purpose of prayer - 1Co 7:5

[Just as husbands are commanded to love their wives, so the wives are
commanded to love their husbands.  If the original love has been lost,
it needs to be re-learned!  Finally, wives must...]

III. MANAGE THE HOME!

   A. AS HOMEMAKERS...
      1. "to be discrete, chaste, homemakers, good" - Tit 2:5
         a. Grk., oikourous - "a stayer at home, i.e. domestically inclined" - Strong's
         b. "one who works in the home - 'one who takes care of the
            home, homemaker.'" - Louw-Nida
      2. "manage the house" - 1Ti 5:14
         a. Grk., oikodespoteo - to be the head of (i.e. rule) a family:
            guide the house - Strong's
         b. "to command and give leadership to a household -- eto direct
            a household, to manage a home.i" - Louw-Nida
      3. This also can be learned from older sisters in Christ - Tit 2:3-5

   B. AS MOTHERS...
      1. Note the instructions for young widows: "marry, bear children" - 1Ti 5:14
         a. Grk., teknogoneo - "to be a child-bearer, i.e. parent (mother)" - Strong's
         b. "to give birth to a child" - Louw-Nida
      2. The primary design of marriage is to start a family; if a young
         wife is unable to bear a child, adoption if certainly a viable
         and wonderful option!

CONCLUSION

1. The Christian wife is a woman who...
   a. Submits to her husband with respect
   b. Loves her husband with affection
   c. Manages her home and her children

2. This is because the Christian wife is a woman who...
   a. Is a Christian first, and a wife second
   b. Gladly accepts the Biblical injunctions given her as a wife
   c. Looks to the Word of God and prayer for the strength she needs to
      fulfill her duty

3. When a woman is a Christian wife...
   a. She is more likely loved and respected by her husband
   b. She is more likely the sort of wife she should be
   c. The children are more likely as they should be

In our next lesson, we shall  consider the duties of parents.  In the 
meantime, some additional food for thought for wives...

                     The 10 Commandments of Wives

1. Expect not your husband to give you as many luxuries as your father
   has given you after many years of hard labor. (Php 4:11; Am 4:1)

2. You shall work hard to build your house with the husband that you
   have, not fantasizing about "the one that could have been". (Pr 14:1)

3. You shall not nag...hit him with your frying pan, it is kindlier. (Pr 27:15; 21:19)

4. You shall coddle your husband and be a warm wife. (1Co 7:3-5)

5. Remember that the frank approval of your husband is more to you than
   the side glances of many strangers. (Eze 16:32; 2Pe 2:14)

6. You shall not yell at your husband but will be a gentle and quiet
   spirit. (1Pe 3:1-4)

7. Permit no one to assure you that you are having a hard time of it. (1Pe 5:9)

8. You shall not fail to dress up for your husband with an eye to please
   him, as you did before marriage. (So 4:9-11)

9. You shall submit to your husband from your heart and allow him to be
   head of the household. (Col 3:18; 1Pe 3:6; Ep 5:33)

10. You shall assure your husband and others that he is the greatest man
    alive. (Php 2:3; So 5:9-16)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

From Gary... The path from foolishness and stupidity to wisdom

Some things are self-evident. And so, when I saw the pastoral scene above, I thought to myself, how unnecessary, how foolish would one have to be to label the obvious. Stupidity and foolishness are harsh words, but then again somethings in this world are. Consider...

What you love and what you hate defines you

Proverbs, Chapter 12 (WEB)

 1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.

The fool

Psalms, Chapter 53 (WEB)

 1  The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

The beginning of knowledge is...

Proverbs, Chapter 1 (WEB) 

7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;

but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

The desire of the heart...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7 (WEB)

19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.  20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn’t sin.  21 Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;  22 for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.  23 All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise”; but it was far from me.  24 That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?  25 I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness. 

Even Christians can act foolishly

Galatians, Chapter 3 (WEB)
  1 Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?  2 I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?  3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?  4 Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 5 He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?  6 Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.”  7 Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham.

We once were...

Titus, Chapter 3 (WEB)

 1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,  2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.  3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,  5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Even the most intelligent, educated and just plain savvy people I have known occasionally have said and done foolish or stupid things. To me, this is a truism. But, there is hope: we all can achieve some degree of wisdom if we are willing to genuinely seek it out;for true wisdom comes from God.  I urge you- consider the verses that you see above, and ask yourself the following: Am I seeking out God on my terms or HIS and why?