Christian Track: Making Amends by Changing Behavior

Contributor: Ryan Moffat, BS in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University. Pastor of Vast Church.

Recently I watched an amazing teaching from Dr. Henry Cloud entitled; “Wise, Foolish, and Evil”. In it Dr. Cloud describes three of the “caricatures” described from the wisdom literature in the Bible, specifically the Proverbs and Dr. Cloud brilliantly groups the teachings of the Proverbs into 3 categories of people: Wise, Foolish and Evil. Here is how he defines those groups:

  • Wise people are people who when the light goes on (truth comes out) they adjust their life to the truth.
  • Foolish people are people who when the light comes on (truth exposes them) they, unlike wise people who adjust to the truth, fools simply adjust the light so it doesn’t expose there folly.
  • Evil people are people who don’t care about the light, they don’t even pretend to want the light, they intentionally and willfully seek to destroy any light (truth) so they won’t ever be exposed.

When you read those descriptions and have a moment of honest self-reflection where do you most readily identify yourself? Not, “where would you like to be” but rather; “Where am I, honestly, today?”

We tend to think a simple; “I am sorry” glosses over so much of the relational hurt and pain we’ve caused failing to realize that saying words while continuing behavior is disingenuous at best and flat out heretical in most cases.

Behavior Change

When Jesus showed up and starting talking about the good news about building His kingdom a guy named John the Baptist came around and kept saying, “repent for the kingdom of God is at hand”. In the gospel of Luke (Luke 2) some of the people listening to John preach the message, asked him for more clarity with the question, “John, what must we do to be saved?”

Begging herJohn answers the question by reminding his listeners that forgiveness that displays the message of Jesus is forgiveness that empowers a changed life. The words “I believe” without the demonstration of a new life is something that John says is incongruent.

When you truly feel grief for the mistakes of the past you’re empowered to change. You treat others differently because you want to, not because you have to. You change your attitude, your values, your words, your actions and your whole disposition because you have learned that words without action only leads to more hurt and confusion.

So ask yourself again; Are you a Wise, Foolish or Evil person? Are you living a life that is constantly adjusting to the beautiful light of truth (God’s word), which illuminates the attitudes, actions, and motivations of your life? By God’s grace I pray that you experience the transforming power of adjusting your life to the light of the truth of Scripture.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What has been your experience with shedding God’s life of truth on your addiction? How has this Truth changed your life?


Ryan Moffat FamilyAbout the Author: Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together. Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR


Addiction Hope is proud to announce the initiation of a special Christian Track of blogs and articles to commemorate the blessing of our sister site, Eating Disorder Hope’s 10th year anniversary. Watch for further content noted as “Christian Track”.


The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

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