• Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
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For the longest time, Rick Barry had the best free throw percentage ever in the NBA at exactly 90% or .900. Now, you would think that most NBA players would flock to Rick Barry for shooting tips. And yet, in Rick Barry’s own admission, that has rarely been the case. Why? Let’s notice some important truths about mankind, and more importantly, yourself.

#1 We all start out as fools.

• Proverbs 22:15 “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child;…”
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As Jesus pointed out, foolishness proceeds from each of us naturally.

• Mark 7:22 “Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
• 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
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#2 Fools hate/avoid counsel, instruction, wisdom, etc….

• Proverbs 1:7 “…fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
• Proverbs 1:22 “…fools hate knowledge?”
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#3 Fools prefer living life their way (notice our text).

• Judges 17:6 “…every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
• Judges 21:25 “…every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
• Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;…”
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(With this in mind, it is very sad, yet interesting, how the present-day backslidden church often misinterprets Romans 14:5 to mean that God gives us permission to live the same way today. “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”)

#4 The end result of man’s foolishness is failure and death.

• Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
• Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
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#5 At the same time, as fools, we naturally think that God’s Word and ways are foolish.

• I Corinthians 1:18 “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
• I Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
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One of the reasons most NBA players would never ask Rick Barry for free throw advice is because of the way Rick Barry shot his free throws. Rick Barry shot them underhanded which is commonly called “the granny shot” today. The very thought and appearance is ridiculous to most players. In other words, it looks foolish.

Most marriages and parents persist in foolishness. They reject counsel and advice. They purposely avoid it. They “know” how marriage and parenting works. They just know. They act very proud as they do it their way. The end result is death. The church and the Bible are foolishness to them. Even most so-called Christian homes purposely avoid biblical counsel. They don’t want to be seen shooting “the granny shot!” Like Lot, they want to blend in with the world even if it destroys their marriage, their kids, their spouse, their church, themselves.

Do you want help with your marriage or parenting? To get that help, you are going to need to lay aside your natural foolishness and yield it to Christ. Surround yourself with biblical counsel.