We live in a time when there are many lies circulating, a number of which that can be very devastating. And there is one lie in particular that spiritually cripples a person and makes sure they remain destined for hell. However, the Truth, the Word of God presents us with a fact that foundationally can set anyone free.

Our world is full of lies, especially when it comes to anything that deals with sin. Sometimes the phrase “they were born that way” is used which is the basis for the lie, “they have no choice so they cannot change.” It has been used for the drunkard. It has been used for the drug addict. And in recent years it has been quickly applied to the h-om-o-se-xua-l {1}.

 

However, it is clear that the alcoholic and drug addict can choose a host of other things – what to wear, what to eat, who to sleep with, and more. And while some people, even “experts”, declare that the h-om-o-se-xua-l cannot choose to be “straight”, it is very clear that h-om-o-se-xua-ls can choose to go to a Christian photographer or baker to, in the least, legitimatize their ungodly wedding – despite the fact there were numerous other photographers and bakers to go to.

 

The statement that some people cannot choose to change is a most vicious lie crafted from the pit of hell to rob them of Eternal Life. Some Christians, suffering from certain things in their life, are spiritually crippled because they listen to doctors and others that say they cannot choose or they cannot change.

Looking at the Truth, the Holy Word of God, it is clear, very clear, that everyone, each person, has the ability to choose. Proverbs 9:1-6 is just one of many passages in Holy Scripture that show each of us can choose. It begins with our loving God listing some of His blessings to those that would heed His wisdom.

 

I. Preparations For All 1-3 Revised Webster (RW)*

 

“Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She has slaughtered her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also furnished her table. 3 She has sent forth her maidens: she cries out upon the highest places of the city,"

 

For those that will hearken to His call to embrace His wisdom, by His wisdom He has built a secure spiritual house for them. The seven pillars speak of the fact that everything needed for real life now and Eternal Life is complete. There is real spiritual food that will truly satisfy, and the wine speaks of full salvation available to all, and the table represents satisfying spiritual fellowship.

 

In my opinion, the maidens in verse three can represent the seven Spirits of God (Isaiah 11:2) or / and the fact that God uses His angels as ministering spirits unto those that are saved from their sin (Hebrews 1:14). And, the fact that “she cries upon the highest places of the city” points out that God’s wisdom is higher than all human wisdom.

 

II. Proclamation To All 4 RW*

 

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: as for him that lacks understanding, she says to him,”

 

As you see, two groups are mentioned here, viz., the simple and those that lack understanding. If we continue to verses 5 and 6 we see that one thing is said to the simple, and what seems to be something else to those who lack understanding. However, verses four to six are a poetical couplet, so I would say what is in store for the simple is also in store for those that lack understanding, and vice versa.

 

So for the sake of those who believe they have no choice, that they cannot change, I would now like to take a closer look at who are the simple and who are those that lack understanding. While one might think that neither of those two groups would represent a person that has no choice, it is to be kept in mind that God is not willing any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), that the life and sacrifice of Christ is available to all (1 John 2:2), and that the Holy Scriptures call everyone to salvation. That includes everyone, no matter how bad off they are. “Simple” and “lacking understanding” represent the worst case scenarios of society.

 

For “simple,” Wilson {2} presents its definition as, “foolish, easily enticed, credulous, inexperienced.” James Strong {3} also has “naivete.” In my mind, some of these definitions fit Samson.

 

As we read the story of Samson (Judges 13 through 16) we see that he was physically strong when the Spirit of God came upon Him. However, we also see he often lacked self-control and often yielded to instinct. By contrast there is Solomon who, aside from Christ, was the wisest man recorded in the Holy Bible. Both men failed, and they failed because of their sin nature. Yet God dealt with each man. We see that throughout the Holy Bible that God deals with all people and that indicates everyone has a choice. Even babies know some points of right and wrong.

 

The context of our current passage indicates the simple spiritually and instinctively know they need to turn around and do the right thing. There would be no proclamation to the simple if they were unable to choose.

 

All we have said thus far holds true for those who lack understanding. Additionally, you do not have to have a lack of understanding, for it is written in Psalm 111:10, “. . . a good understanding have all they that do his commandments . . .”.

 

You do not have to understand everything about God to be saved. Once you do become born again you do not have to understand every spiritual thing to enjoy the benefits of salvation. You just have to make the right choice and, if you need help to do so, God will help you if you really desire to receive His help.

 

III. Power To Choose For All 5-6 RW*

 

“Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mixed. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.”

 

As mentioned, the world might say a person has no choice and that some people cannot choose. Currently, most times this lie is assigned to those entrapped by sexual issues, especially h-om-ose-xu-al-ity. And, many claiming to be tr-an-sge-nde-red are convinced of this lie based somewhat on false science. However, there has been some real science done on these matters.

 

An article at Creationrevolution.com {4} announced that Dr. Paul R. McHugh, the former psychiatrist-in-chief for Johns Hopkins Hospital and its current Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry, called tra-nsg-en-de-rism a “mental disorder” that merits treatment, that sex change is “biologically impossible”, and those who promote sexual reassignment surgery are collaborating with and promoting a mental disorder.

 

One might think then that if someone has such a mental disorder they cannot choose. However, again the call to salvation is to all people. Everyone, without exception, is called to make the choice to forsake sin, surrender to God through Christ, and make Christ their King. That means everyone is capable of making a choice and because of the love God we cannot exclude the hom-o-se-xu-al, the tra-nsg-end-ered, the alcoholic, the drug addict, the hardened murderer and anyone else.

 

The truth is everyone has the power to choose, and that at least once in each person’s life God enables each person to choose the Way of righteousness (John 1:9). The directives we see in Proverbs 9:5-6 would not be there if all sorts of people were not able to choose. Therefore, starting with verse five, choose to come to God and choose His Bread of Life (John 6:35 and 48). Choose His way of salvation, that is, through Christ alone (John 14:6).

 

Choose to forsake the foolish. Leave the world system and forsake worldly thinking. Choose Christ, the Life. Choose to remain in Christ, the Way. Choose to choose wisely by choosing to do what the Holy Bible and God’s Holy Spirit says to do. Each and every person can choose the Life offered by Christ by forsaking their way along with the ways of the world, and by making a full surrender to Jesus Christ Who came to take away everyone’s sin. Somebody once asked when did I choose to be “straight"? God gave me this reply: “Every minute of my life I choose to be straight because every minute of my life I choose Christ."

 

You are not a zombie. You are not a machine. If anything, if you do not have Christ as your Savior, you are a slave – a slave to sin. But there is good news, because Jesus has declared, has decreed, that whom the Son sets free will be free indeed (John 8:36)! Therefore, if you have not been born again, hearken to Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of YHVH (The Existing One) is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” You definitely can choose, so choose wisely!

 

Notes:

 

{1} These words are purposely broken apart to avoid unwanted advertisements, and so throughout the article as needed.

 

{2} Wilson, William: Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies (MacDonald Publishing Company, McLean, VA) p395

 

{3} From an electronic version of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong incorporated in the Online Bible program, and so throughout the article whenever the ancient language is referred to and no other authority is cited.

 

{4} The link for this article is http://creationrevolution.com/johns-hopkins-psychiatrist-transgender-is-mental-disorder-sex-change-biologically-impossible/ .

 

Find more apologetics articles at http://sapphirestreams.com/life/api.html and http://thesureword.sapphirestreams.com/ .

 

This article was in the form of a sermon (message) outline with comments. You should be able to hear the actual message (sermon) by selecting a link at http://www.sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html#M367 .

 

Unless otherwise noted all Holy Scripture is from the 1769 Authorized Version with spelling of some words updated for our time in addition to changing LORD to YHVH as it rightly should be when the text so indicates. An * next to the abbreviation for another translation or version indicates the same for the text presented.

 

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