Proverbs 14:12 MKJV There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.
Our decisions seem so correct, but…
Our foolish or wrong decisions rarely lead to physical death. The Hebrew word for death is מָוֶת mâveth. This word means poetically personified death (Psalm 49:14), things that kill (Psalm 7:13), death compared to physical sleep (Psalm 13:3), a place of death as Sheol (Isaiah 38:18 and Proverbs 7:27), fatal disease (Jeremiah 15:2), and destruction (Proverbs 11:19, Proverbs 12:28, Exodus 10:15-17 (regarding the plagues of destruction)), etc. So here, it does not necessary mean physical, though it can be), but usually poor outcomes, hurt feelings, depression, loss of money, loss of joy, setbacks, others hurt, etc.
Many times, our choices result in foolish and hurtful things.
So, what do we do?
Proverbs 2:11 NLT Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. (Most translations have discretion or similar. The Hebrew word in the good sense is defined as sagacity (Strong)).
Wisdom and wise choices are related. God has good, perfect, and complete wisdom (omnisapience). His choices are based on wisdom, love, and holiness.
B1 Proverbs 3:21 ESV My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion.
B2 Proverbs 8:12 ESV I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
B3 Romans 8:28 ESV And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
B4 Isaiah 28:29 GNB All this wisdom comes from the LORD Almighty. The plans God makes are wise, and they always succeed.
B5 James 3:17 GNB But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.
We need to make our choices by
B1 Knowing what God commands what we must or must not do. Example: Ephesians 5:3-4 NLT Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
B2 Knowing His principles for applications of what we must do or must not do. Consider the teachings from the book of Proverbs.
B3 Knowing examples of successful and unsuccessful choices.
C1 Good choice. Learning wisdom. Luke 10:38-42 GNB As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him in her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. 40 Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!" 41 The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, 42 but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her."
C2 Bad choice. Food and the immediate over God’s blessing. Genesis 25:29-34 ESV Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
We need to ask God for help (James 1:5).
We need to wait (if we can, for impulsive choices frequently are poor choices), we need counsel from those who have made similar decisions, and we must practice doing God’s rules (to recognize wisdom from foolishness.
We need to study God’s wisdom, be taught God’s wisdom, and be tested (God does test us).
B1 Be a student.
C1 Old Testament: Romans 15:4 GNB Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us.
C2 2 Timothy 3:16-17 GNB All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, 17 so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
C3 Colossians 3:16 NRSV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
B2 Be taught. Psalms 119:130 LITV The entering of Your Word gives light, giving discernment to the simple.
B3 Be tested. Philip had been taught already but the teaching and deeds of the Lord Jesus. John 6:5-7 NLT Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”
Be Humble
B1 We need to acknowledge that we made a poor choice.
B2 We need to ask forgiveness if it violates a law.
B3 We need to repay what might have been lost by others.
B4 We need to remember our mistake, error, poor choice, etc. so we don’t do it again and warn others.
B5 We need to believe we are forgiven, for God says so.
Remember
B1 Learn from mistakes: Proverbs 26:11 GNB A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit.
B2 Don’t brood over past mistakes: Philippians 3:13 ICB Brothers, I know that I have not yet reached that goal. But there is one thing I always do: I forget the things that are past. I try as hard as I can to reach the goal that is before me.
B3 We may fail, but we must continue. Proverbs 24:16 LEB For seven times the righteous will fall, but he will rise, but the wicked will be overthrown by calamity.
B4 The more we learn from Scriptures, the more we can avoid poor choices. We learn, we apply, we sense a poor choice. Proverbs 14:16 NLT The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
B5 God does help us. Psalms 54:4 GW God is my helper! The Lord is the provider for my life.
B6 We must have an attitude that today we must live a Christian life: Ephesians 5:15-17 GW So then, be very careful how you live. Don't live like foolish people but like wise people. 16 Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. 17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants.
B7 The Scriptures are our truth and wisdom. The more we know; the more we can make a wise choice. Psalms 119:105 GNB Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.
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