People Can Be So Stupid

Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened cattle by the Serpent’s Stone, which is beside En-rogel, and he invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the royal officials of Judah, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the mighty men or Solomon his brother. 1 Kings 1:9-10

After telling a story of human foolishness recently, my son observed – People can be so stupid. He’s right of course, but as is often the case, I had to look at myself and admit the painful truth – Yes, people can be stupid, but I am one of them. I’m good at recognizing and criticizing the absurdity in others, while doing the same absurd thing.

For instance, I often find myself offended by politicians who attempt to use faith for their own purposes. Quoting scripture, these charlatans see religion as one more tool that can be employed to manipulate the voter. Their lives clearly don’t look as if they follow God, yet if they say the right words, while giving Christians some political power, many Christians will simply fall in line. This offends me because these politicians aren’t following God or seeking his purpose, but rather, they’re following themselves and seeking their own purpose, while using God’s name to get what they want. This is exactly what Adonijah did in today’s passage, as he sought religious support to take the throne of Israel from his father, king David. This was gross self-promotion, masquerading as faith. I’m offended by those who do this and I’m offended by those who blindly follow these impostors. People are so stupid. 

 If I’m honest though, I must admit that I’m one of those people. I’m not a politician, but still, I frequently attempt to use God to get what I want. When demonstrating how to pray, Jesus taught us to first seek God’s will.  Your kingdom come, your will be done (Matthew 6:10). If you could hear my prayers though, you would more often hear – My kingdom come, my will be done. Yes, I believe in God, but it’s my nature to seek first my will and my way. It’s not necessarily that I’m praying for bad things. It’s simply my first impulse to take all my concerns to God, hoping that he works things out according to my design. I. Me. Mine.

It was following me and my way though, that eventually led to my drug addiction. So, If I don’t want to be one of those people whom I’d consider stupid, I must daily go to God, not seeking me and my way, but rather, seeking God and his purpose for my life. That is not stupidity, but rather, that is wisdom, and that is authentic faith.