the Discouragement of Fools. Avoiding the Discouragement of Fools. Last week’s focus…

Reality check: Ostriches and putting their heads in the sand.

CAUTION!! Our “solutions” may be worse than our problems.

The last thing Saul said to David was… “May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail.”  So then, naturally, David’s reaction would be…

1 Samuel 27:1 And David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand.” 

If this is the right move for David, why is there no indication of consulting God, as he has done so often in the past when walking with God?

So, why would he now fear for his life? Even the one pursuing David has now acknowledged David’s ultimate triumph. So, why would he now fear for his life? David is experiencing what many of us do in extended trials. We just get tired.

In difficulties, the right perspective is critical. Gal. 6:7; James 1:2-12, 5:10-11; Heb. 10:23, 35-36; 1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-7 If Scripture often and at length talks about an issue, it must be a common struggle.

We don’t solve problems by avoiding them. “Because it makes me feel better” may be accurate, but it’s a dangerous reason.

David probably did what he did because it made him feel better, safer. We often do things in disregard for the Lord and His word for the same reason. And, usually, our solutions are worse than the problem.

“Escapes” to relieve the pressure to feel better Upset when driving: yelling, complaining, honking, etc. Turning to a drink or a drug instead of trusting Using television or movies to ignore a situation Using food or sleep as our “comfort drug”

1 Samuel 27:2-4 Then David arose and went over with the six hundred men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. So David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s widow. And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath; so he sought him no more. 

Our decisions impact the lives of others more than we want to admit.

Everything that works isn’t right. Everything that works isn’t the best for us.

We often assume that the best course of action is the easiest one. The problem is that the easiest may also be the most temporary and lacking in real power.

They may have laughed when they found out over Pina Coladas that they were after the same thing, but they will always remember that each was willing to end the marriage because it was simply “dull routine” to them. Deal with the problem!

1 Samuel 27:5-7 Then David said to Achish, “If I have now found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” So Achish gave him Ziklag that day. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day. Now the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was one full year and four months. 

David’s gift was clearly not evangelism. Once again, his decision impacts others. Instead of demonstrating the power of His God, David teaches compromise to both friends and enemies.

It’s not surprising to see the enemies of God rejoice at the wedge between David and Saul. David was Saul’s best warrior, Saul was weakened. David also could not launch attacks on Philistia. If David “attacked” his own people, the “chosen one” would not be welcomed back.

1 Samuel 27:8-9 And David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. For those nations were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as you go to Shur, even as far as the land of Egypt. Whenever David attacked the land, he left neither man nor woman alive, but took away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the apparel, and returned and came to Achish. 

1 Samuel 27:10-12  Then Achish would say, “Where have you made a raid today?” And David would say, “Against the southern area of Judah, or against the southern area of the Jerahmeelites, or against the southern area of the Kenites.” David would save neither man nor woman alive, to bring news to Gath, saying, “Lest they should inform on us, saying, ‘Thus David did.’” And thus was his behavior all the time he dwelt in the country of the Philistines. So Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; therefore he will be my servant forever.” 

Again, David does the right thing the wrong way. He is killing the enemies of Israel and gains the trust of an enemy, but all by lying and deceit. Deception is not a good form of service or evangelism.

instead of what God wants? Why do we do what we want instead of what God wants? We don’t think the Bible is His word We believe it is God’s word, but we don’t know what it says We believe it’s God’s word, but don’t act on what we think is true for other reasons We may think we have to do what we’re doing For whatever reason, we want what we are doing more than what we say is true

instead of what God wants? Why do we do what we want instead of what God wants? We are getting some satisfaction of our actions! Let’s dissect this a bit…

Stuck in the middle with… ME!

The Angry Argument: Freeze it! We know our anger is wrong We don’t want to stop (Phone ringing!) Why? Win, get the other person back, pride I WANT MY WAY!

Lying: Freeze it! As I’m doing it, I know it’s not true I go ahead, even with a series of lie Why? Self-esteem, lazy, embarrassed about what is true

Speeding: Freeze it! We know we are wrong We still do it Why? We are breaking the law (Rom. 13; 1 Pet. 2) Bad testimony May not even “need” to speed We still do it Why? Control, lack of faith

Indulgence: Freeze it! I’m full But, it looks so good I get “comfort” from it Why? I might want to feel better, I want to make me happy, Ignore reality

So? Why does it matter?

If I’m determined to make what I want the most important thing, I can’t learn what I need to know to grow and experience freedom.

Luke 14:25-27  Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Being a teachable person is one of the most important qualities a person can have. Do I want to learn? Am I willing to learn?

Luke 10:38-40  Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus will teach you in a way that: considers your weaknesses seeks what is best for you and brings rest to your heart But, if I don’t know and believe that, the process can be more than difficult.

Matt. 10:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Remember: His attitude toward you is the He cares about every detail of your life (Matt. 10:29-31) and wants to answer your prayers (Matt. 7:7-11).

Behind our consistently inappropriate behavior is incorrect thinking.

Transformation occurs when we are spiritually minded (Romans 8:4-11) and have our minds renewed by the Spirit (Romans 12:1-2).

This includes love for myself. If I put my love for others above Christ, I can’t learn what I need to know. This includes love for myself.

CAUTION!! Our “solutions” may be worse than our problems.