The answer to stupidity

“Without self-control people die; they are led astray by their own stupidity”  (Prov. 5:23)

I believe it is crucial to understand that human nature lies at the root of every problem in life, whether personal or social. Most readers know the biblical account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, how they disobeyed God and were expelled. That separation from God left them with a flawed nature, although they were still made in God’s image. Scripture teaches that this “old nature” is set against God and his righteousness and therefore in every decision will take the option that satisfies self. The Christian answer is that the eternal Son entered the world and by his sacrificial death gave those of faith a new nature with the power to defeat the desires of the person they once were.
       And how does this relate to the proverb of today? For one thing, it explains why people must be able to control themselves or they will die. To do whatever one might want in a world without boundaries sounds good to the “old man” and that kind of “freedom” is exactly what a fallen nature wants. But, without protection of some sort the human nature destroys itself. It wasn’t meant to be that way, but sin steered the human race off course.
       Another point is that humanity’s openness to be “led astray” is a display of its “stupidity” (TEV). It is not rational to live in a way that is detrimental to self. People do, but that’s because what we want is stronger than what we know to be right.  The apostle Paul talks about this in his letter to Rome where he confesses that he doesn’t do what he wants to do, but does do what he hates (7:15).
       Solomon’s proverb is not quite so theological as I have been discussing it. That’s natural because, with the coming of Christ and the ensuing testimony of the New Testament, we have a better understanding of human nature and its effect on society as well as on the individual. Solomon, the sage, simply noticed that where self-control is lacking everything goes down hill and ultimately ends in death. Since this progression is inevitable, the failure to make wise decisions is inescapable – it is “stupid.”