Recently we stopped by Sam’s Club to replenish a few things we’d run out of. Always one with an eye for a good deal, JB spotted a sale on some lights we might use in landscaping our yard next spring. A woman on that same aisle noticed, and kindly warned, “Don’t buy them!” She went on to explain her personal experience with the product, detailing how they all fell apart the day after she installed them. She ended up reassembling them with super glue to restore their likeness to the picture on the box. The poorly-made product did not work as advertised.
JB could have ignored her advice, justifying the purchase because it was such a good deal. But we’d have ended up wasting money and time—either repairing them ourselves or having to return them–and would have regretted not listening to her experienced counsel.
Sometimes we want something so badly we ignore all voices steering us away from a poor decision. In Judges 16 we read of the Jewish hero Samson and his Philistine girlfriend, Delilah. She lured him into a dangerous web with her seductive beauty and cunning, all the while planning to defeat him. By the end of story we wonder, “Duh! How dumb can you get?” Of course he had no business falling for a Philistine! The Old Testament law made it crystal clear that Jews should have nothing to do with these enemies, especially in such an intimate relationship. But Samson had a big ego and believed the rules did not apply to him. He had no idea he’d end up blind and imprisoned. Ignoring God’s guidance, he suffered serious consequences.
The Bible is full of good advice and practical wisdom, which, if heeded, will save us from the heartache and regret that accompany foolish decisions. And the go-to book for wise counsel is Proverbs. Consider the following verses:
10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
12:11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
27:12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself; the naive proceed and pay the penalty.
How I wish I could read Proverbs through just once and live my remaining days full of its wisdom! The key, though, is reading it over and over, meditating on its truths, and reminding myself to “listen to” and to apply its insights. As James 1:25 (NLT) explains, But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Too often we are lured into ill-conceived decisions because our enemy knows the perfect bait to appeal to our weaknesses. But if we continually fill our hearts with God’s truths, stop to consider the potential consequences of our actions, and ask for discernment, we will reap the blessings of wisdom. Read Proverbs 3:13-18 to learn more! If these benefits sound good to you, start walking in wisdom!
