Proverbs 29:18: Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].
I’ve been a fan of the television show Star Trek for a number of years. There was one episode where the crew of the starship Enterprise became infected with a mysterious disease that made them lose self-restraint. It was as if they were drunk with alcohol. They did and said things they normally would not do under normal circumstances. It even affected the crew’s android (a human-like sophisticated robot) whom you would think would be immune.
In the episode, one of the crew in his “drunken” state turned off the engines which sent the starship on a course to crash into a planet. Fortunately the antidote was found just in time for them to restart the engines and save the ship and the crew.
Galatians 5:19-21 provides a clear picture of what unrestrained behavior looks like:
“…sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar…”
What’s interesting about this passage is that the apostle Paul was talking to Christians in Galatia, a Roman province. If they were prone to this type of behavior (by walking in the flesh and not by the Holy Spirit), then you can imagine what was going on with non-Christians.
Today we live in a society that is similar to the Galatian society, i.e., materialistic, idolatrous, divisive, and getting more ruthless by the day (just look at the evening news). And if we, as Christians, are not careful, we can easily pick up the Galatian behaviors and exhibit them instead of the ways of Christ.
Perform an honest assessment of your life; humbly before the Lord. Are you sexually immoral or promiscuous in your thoughts or actions? Do you tend to be prideful, selfish, jealous, or dishonest in your relationships? Are you prone to outbursts of anger or bitterness? The “antidote” for this is clear: walking by the Spirit of God. And you will need “daily doses” of the Word of God for the rest of your life. But the promise of the Proverbs is living a “happy and blessed” life.
This matter involves a choice. Joshua made it plain to the people of Israel and applies to us as well:
14 “Therefore, fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship the Lord. 15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14-15)
Will you choose to live…or will you choose to “crash” on the planet of Disaster?
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