Does Sin Make You Stupid?

Something I have noticed and contemplated recently or that has come to the forefront of my attention is that there seems to be an inversely proportional link between sin and intelligence.  Or a directly proportional link between sin and stupidity. As sin or disobedience to God's laws increases-- intelligence, good judgment, and rational thought seem to decrease and stupidity, lack of good judgment, and irrational thinking appear to increase. In other words, in my experience it seems like people who choose to disobey the laws of God, i.e. sin, tend to become less rational, more paranoid, and less aware of reality, i.e. more stupid.

I can think of a handful of examples off the top of my head. What's interesting about these people is that most of them are or claim to be of above average intelligence.  Yet when they start making poor choices and letting Satan dig his claws into their flesh -- that's for you, Lisa :-) -- and drag them down, they inevitably become more stupid.  Their cognitive thought processes and behavior become irrational.  They say and do things that make you want to quote John McEnroe, "You Cannot Be Serious!"

It would be interesting to conduct a scientific study about the correlation between sin and stupidity.  There have actually been many studies done about morality.  This would be an interesting take on a moral study. I'm sure there would not be a lack of available subjects. Unfortunately.

I could cite several examples but I think I will keep it simple and just state my observation.  To me it's kind of like the chicken and the egg question.  Which came first?  The sin or the stupidity? Are you stupid because you sin?  Or do you sin because you're stupid? I think an argument could be made both ways.

Obviously all of us make poor choices now and then and hopefully we repent and try to do better.  It's just part of being an imperfect mortal.  It's part of our earthly test. That's not what I'm talking about here. No, I'm talking about those who choose not to repent and choose to allow Satan to control their lives by dropping their defenses and continually following his deceptive influences.

The sad thing is, that those who have fallen into Satan's trap and let him control their lives are the very people who persecute those who are trying to follow God's laws and do what's right.  They are also the very people who think that those who are trying to follow God's laws and do what's right are stupid and blinded and unaware of reality.  When in fact, the opposite is true.

Perhaps it is the guilt associated with the sin and poor choices that causes the person to behave irrationally or, in other words, stupidly.  Perhaps a defense mechanism? Perhaps a way to cope with the guilt of living a life contrary to God's laws by rationalizing the behavior in one's own mind using an irrational thought process.

The Scriptures make it very clear that one cannot be happy while living a sinful lifestyle. It is impossible. Stated very simply, "... wickedness never was happiness." -- Alma 41:10

Yet how many people who choose to live a sinful lifestyle say that they are completely happy?  Just another example of sin leading to stupidity.

I actually started this blog post a couple of days ago and mentioned to Lisa what the title was going to be.  She found a great article on the topic by Sister Sheri Dew and sent me a few quotes.  So I went ahead and searched for and read the article, which was taken from a BYU devotional address which happened to be given on my birthday in 2003.  :-)

Anyway it is an excellent article and more than worthy of the time and effort it takes to read it.  I highly recommend reading it.  I put the link at the end.  Just click on the title of the address.

So, Sheri Dew pretty much answers my question in the title of this post.  Here's what she had to say:

"Repentance is, frankly, just plain smart, because sin makes you stupid: Stupid because you are deaf, dumb, and blind to the ways of the Lord. Stupid because habitual sin drives the Spirit away, leaving you outside the protective influence of the Holy Ghost. Stupid because it makes you incapable of drawing upon the powers of heaven. Being stupid costs a lot.

"Sin costs a lot, too. It can cost time, money, peace of mind, progress, self-respect, your integrity and virtue, your family, the trust of those you love, and even your Church membership.

"Sin is just plain stupid. And the cost is off the charts. So repent now. Repent daily. If you want to be sanctified, repentance is not optional.

"Obedience, on the other hand, is brilliant, and its fruits are endless—one of which is happiness. The only way that I know to be happy is to live the gospel.

"It is not possible to sin enough to be happy. It is not possible to buy enough to be happy or to entertain or indulge yourself enough to be happy. Happiness and joy come only when you are living up to who you are. King Benjamin clearly understood this when he admonished us:

"Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For . . . they are blessed in all things . . . ; and if they hold out faithful to the end . . . they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. [Mosiah 2:41]

"Satan no doubt bristles at this principle, for happiness is something the ultimate narcissist will never experience. I have yet to meet the man or woman who is happier because he or she was dishonest or because they were addicted to something or because they were immoral. The Lord blessed us with covenants that keep us on the straight and narrow path because this road less traveled is actually the easier road. It is so much easier to be righteous than to sin." --You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory, Sheri L. Dew, December 9, 2003, BYU Devotional

 "Does sin makes you stupid?"  The answer is yes.  And who wants to make themselves more stupid than they already are?  Life is hard enough to navigate through without being stupid.  So, repent, be obedient to God's laws, and desire to always do what's right and you will become much smarter, wiser and find much joy and happiness throughout your life.

That's my two cents.