IMPULSIVENESS

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT IMPULSIVENESS?

BIBLE READING: Genesis 25:19-34

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright. (Genesis 25:34)

IMPULSIVENESS FAILS TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACTIONS.

Esau traded the lasting benefits of his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food. He acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences of what he was about to do. We can fall into the same trap. When we see something we want, our first impulse is to get it. At first we feel intensely satisfied and sometimes even powerful because we have obtained what we set out to get. But with the immediate pleasure we often lose sight of the future. We can avoid making Esau’s mistake by comparing the short-term satisfaction with its long-range consequences before we act.

IMPULSIVENESS IS A REACTION FROM A DISTORTED PERSPECTIVE.

Esau exaggerated his hunger, saying that he was “dying of starvation.” This thought made his choice much easier, because if he was starving, what good was an inheritance anyway? The pressure of the moment distorted his perspective and made his decision seem urgent. We often experience similar pressures. For example, when we feel sexual pressure, a marriage vow may seem unimportant. We might feel such great pressure in one area that nothing else seems to matter and we lose our perspective. Getting through that short, pressure-filled moment is often the most difficult part of overcoming a temptation.

BIBLE READING: Judges 14:1-20

KEY BIBLE VERSE: The Spirit of the LORD powerfully took control of [Samson]. He went down to the town of Ashkelon, killed thirty men, took their belongings, and gave their clothing to the men who had answered his riddle. But Samson was furious about what had happened, and he went back home to live with his father and mother. (Judges 14:19)

IMPULSIVENESS SOMETIMES SPRINGS FROM SELF-CENTEREDNESS.

Samson impulsively used the special gift God gave him for selfish purposes. Today, God distributes abilities and skills throughout the church (1 Corinthians 12:1ff.). The apostle Paul states that these gifts are to be used to build up the church, the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). To use these abilities for selfish purposes is to rob the church and fellow believers of strength. As you use the gifts God has given you, be sure you are helping others, not just yourself.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 14:22-33

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water.” “All right, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:28-29)

IMPULSIVENESS CAN BE AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH.

Peter was not putting Jesus to the test, something we are told not to do (Matthew 4:7). Instead he was the only one in the boat to react in faith. His impulsive request led him to experience a rather unusual demonstration of God’s power. Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. His faith wavered when he realized what he was doing. We may not walk on water, but we do walk through tough situations. If we focus on the waves of difficult circumstances around us without looking to Jesus for help, we too may despair and sink. To maintain your faith when situations are difficult, keep your eyes on Jesus’ power rather than on your inadequacies.

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