Getting Over Stupid ∙∙∙

Getting Over Stupid ∙∙∙

Getting Over Stupid ∙∙∙

To learn, you must love discipline; hating correction is stupid. – Proverbs 12:1

Psalms 19:7-11

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure and lasts forever. The LORD’s laws are true; each one is fair.

They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They warn your servant and greatly reward those who obey them.

Wisdom, Folly, and the Life-Giving Power of the Scriptures

Released in 1994, Forrest Gump introduces viewers to a simple yet extraordinary man from Alabama with an I.Q. of 75. Although Forrest faces intellectual limitations, his mother’s steady wisdom guides him, preparing him to confront life’s hardships with humility, resilience, and grace.

Forrest has a remarkable gift for running, which earns him a place on the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, where he becomes an All-American athlete. His journey then takes him into military service and the heart of the Vietnam War, where he forms lasting bonds with Lieutenant Dan and Bubba. In one of the film’s most memorable acts of courage, Forrest rescues numerous soldiers during combat, including Lieutenant Dan, and receives the Congressional Medal of Honor. Throughout these experiences, his apparent simplicity becomes an unexpected strength, carrying him through a life defined by loyalty, courage, and surprising achievement.

Inspired by Bubba’s dream, Forrest later enters the shrimping business, eventually joined by Lieutenant Dan. Their venture prospers, bringing them considerable wealth and changing their lives. Forrest finds meaning in long-distance running, crossing the American landscape in a journey that captivates strangers and attracts followers who, in their own way, see in him a search for purpose.

Still, beneath all his accomplishments lies a quiet, enduring love for Jenny, his childhood sweetheart. Forrest never stops thinking about her and welcomes her with unwavering devotion, offering the stability, tenderness, and care she has long lacked. They marry and have a son, but their happiness is overshadowed by tragedy when Jenny dies young, leaving Forrest to raise their child alone. His life story is therefore both triumphant and deeply sorrowful, shaped by love, loss, perseverance, and faithfulness.

A Cultural Phrase and a Deeper Truth

Forrest’s outlook on life is captured in his mother’s familiar saying, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Though simple in wording, the phrase carries a meaning that reaches far beyond popular humor. It became firmly embedded in American culture, yet it also points to a deeper spiritual truth: foolishness does not have to define a person for life.

Human weakness, poor judgment, and immaturity are not permanent conditions. They may describe a season of life, but they do not have to determine a person’s future. People can grow beyond naïveté, rise above harmful patterns, and become wiser in thought, character, and conduct. What appears resistant to change can, by God’s grace, be reshaped and restored, and made new.

This is where the wisdom of the Scriptures become especially vital. The Scriptures provide godly instruction that exposes error, corrects misunderstanding, and directs the heart toward truth. Through them, a life can be redirected, renewed, and transformed. What begins in foolishness can, through the steady influence of godly wisdom, mature into discernment, stability, and spiritual depth.

A Lesson from a Palm Tree

A do-it-yourself landscaping project often demands a considerable investment of time, money, and physical effort. Still, when done well, the results can be both striking and a source of enjoyment for years to come. Much of that success depends on making wise choices, especially when selecting plants and trees that will thrive in the intended space. Some people prefer to visit local nurseries, inspect the plants in person, and choose each one carefully. Others, drawn by convenience and attractive presentation, prefer to order from online catalogs filled with polished images and persuasive descriptions.

One man took the second approach. While searching for the perfect addition to a spot in his garden, he came across what seemed like an ideal palm tree and ordered it quickly. When the package finally arrived, however, he was immediately puzzled by the words printed on the box: “Some assembly required.” The label sparked both curiosity and confusion. As soon as he opened the package, he discovered he hadn’t purchased a living tree at all, but a plastic replica of the palm he had admired online. Startled by his own mistake, he exclaimed, “This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.”

Although the story is amusing, it also illustrates an important truth about wisdom. Growth in wisdom often begins with recognizing our own mistakes. Before a person can move away from foolishness, he or she must first acknowledge being misled, mistaken, or naïve. Honest self-awareness is often the first step toward sound judgment.

The Heavens Speak and the Scriptures Instruct

In Psalms 19, wisdom begins with a proper understanding of both creation and revelation. The psalm opens with a majestic portrayal of the heavens, declaring that the created order silently attests to God’s majesty, order, and power. Though creation does not speak with an audible voice, its silent testimony is nonetheless clear and compelling. The skies proclaim what human language alone cannot fully express. Yet God has not left His people to learn from the general revelation of creation alone. He also speaks through the special revelation of the Scriptures, disclosing truth that is personal, moral, authoritative, and transformative.

In Psalms 19:7-9, the psalmist turns from the witness of the heavens to God’s written revelation and uses six closely related terms to describe His will: law, testimony, precept, commandment, fear, and rule. Each term emphasizes a distinct dimension of divine instruction and together presents a rich portrait of God’s wisdom as He gives it to His people. In Jewish tradition, this body of divine teaching is closely associated with the Torah. Over time, “the Law” came to signify more than a collection of legal requirements. It came to represent God’s broader revelation communicated throughout the Scriptures.

The Hebrew word Torah conveys “direction, instruction, law, or instruction for righteous living.” It is closely related to the Hebrew root yarah, which means “to point, direct, throw, or cast.” The imagery is especially vivid: just as an archer carefully aims an arrow at its target, so God directs His instruction with precision toward the learner’s heart and mind. Biblical teaching is intentional, exact, and designed to form human lives according to God’s wisdom and purposes.

Unlike human textbooks, which eventually become dated and must be revised to reflect new information or changing perspectives, the Word of God remains perfect, authoritative, and enduring. Human language changes over time, so new translations of the Scriptures may be necessary so each generation can understand them clearly. Yet the truth God has spoken does not age, weaken, or require improvement. His revelation remains fully trustworthy, permanently relevant, and unchanged in its perfection.

REFLECT & PRAY

In the constant movement of daily life, it is essential to pause and consider both the wonder of the Father’s creation and the wisdom He has given in the Scriptures.

Father, Your truth is given to develop wisdom, understanding, depth, and goodness in the children of the King. Draw me deeper into the Scriptures and awaken in me a greater hunger for Your life-giving Word. Through it, guide my thoughts, shape my character, correct my errors, and direct my life in ways that please You.

INSIGHT

The Transforming Power of God’s Word

The Father’s truth is deeply transformative. The wisdom described in Psalms 19:7-8 can revive the soul, renew inner strength, and rejuvenate a weary heart. It provides insight to the simple-minded, joy to the downcast, and understanding to the confused. The Scriptures do not merely convey information; rather, they embody a source of renewal, fostering deep spiritual growth and vitality. Through the living word of God, individuals can experience a profound revitalization that enriches their lives and enhances their understanding of the world around them.

Psalms 19:7: “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

In this context, a simple person is not merely someone who lacks information, but someone who is inexperienced, impressionable, and easily led astray. Such a person often lacks discernment and is vulnerable to outward appearances, shifting emotions, and misguided counsel. The psalmist’s observation is therefore both honest and hopeful: the Word of God can make the simple wise.

The Father’s instruction transforms us, leading us from instability to steadiness, from confusion to clarity, and from folly to spiritual maturity. His truth transforms the inner life. It turns failures into occasions for growth, forms sound judgment, strengthens character, and trains the heart to walk in wisdom.

God’s Power at Work in Daily Life

The Father who created the universe by His almighty power is not distant from the ordinary details of human life. The same God who set the stars in their place remains actively at work in His people, shaping how they think, speak, and live. His concern is not limited to dramatic spiritual moments or extraordinary experiences; rather, He is deeply involved in the daily patterns of life. He desires to cultivate in His children a way of living that reflects His character and brings Him honor.

This means spiritual growth is not reserved for a select few or dependent on remarkable circumstances. More often, the Father meets His people in the midst of ordinary routines, recurring struggles, and the slow, often unseen process of change. Through the Scriptures, He continues to instruct, correct, and strengthen them, patiently forming lives marked by faithfulness, wisdom, and obedience.

The Scriptures Equip the People of God

The Father has graciously given the Scriptures to reveal His truth, nourish spiritual growth, expose error, and restore hearts that have begun to wander. They are not merely a record of religious thought or a collection of moral sayings. They are the living, authoritative Word of God through which He makes Himself known to His people. Through the Scriptures, the Father instructs the mind, searches the heart, confronts sin, and leads His children along the path of righteousness. In this way, the Word of God serves as the Father’s guidebook for the human soul, offering practical, profound, and transformative wisdom.

The Scriptures teach what is true, uncover what is false, and train the children of the King to live with discernment, holiness, and faithfulness. They influence both beliefs and daily behavior, affecting how a person thinks, speaks, and lives. In seasons of confusion, they bring clarity; in moments of weakness, they provide strength; and when the heart drifts, they call it back to the Father with conviction and mercy.

For this reason, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is so foundational:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in us. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches that the Scriptures carry God’s full authority and are sufficient for spiritual formation. They teach truth, expose error, correct wrong, and train believers in righteous living, equipping God’s people for every good work.

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© Dr. H 2026