Natural Consequences
Perhaps I am getting my New Year schedule worked out. I made it to the fitness center again for an early morning workout. We are working on getting some progress made on our basement remodel and had some help with that today. This afternoon I attend a planning committee meeting for the upcoming National Day of Prayer in May.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes.” Proverbs 1:29-31 HCSB
In our recent homeowners association meeting the board shared some results from a community survey. Residents were asked how they wanted to approach rising costs to maintaining the community. The majority did not want to see dramatic increases in dues, but they did not want to cut back in any services or expenses. That creates an automatic disconnect that is seen in many aspects of life. We try to ignore that choices need to be made and choices have consequences. As the old saying goes, “you can’t have it all!”
In child raising it is called the “Law of Natural Consequences.” It is designed to teach a child that their actions they choose, are tied to something happening…good or bad. Sometimes those choices lead to what they probably would not want to choose. So, if you don’t eat, you go hungry. If you don’t turn in assignments, you don’t pass the class. If you don’t show up for work, you get fired. When parents mitigate those those consequences, important life lessons are not learned.
We see this concept reflected in the Bible in both the Old and New Testament. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and said, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.” (2 Thess. 3:10,11 NASB) These men were able to work, they just refused to work.
The concepts of discipline and personal responsibility seem to be missing from our world more and more. We see people all the time wanting to reflect and avoid the consequences of their choices. So, they blame others, society, government or…God. Anyone but themselves.
Solomon observed this in his day. As “wisdom” speaks in a personified manner it puts it forward very clearly. If you ignore wisdom and the fear of the Lord and reject counsel and correction, guess what? You will, “eat the fruit of [your] their way and be glutted with their [your] own schemes.” It is interesting how when we change the wording to personal pronouns, the impact strikes home. Review our verses for today, inserting “I” and “me” in the proper places.
Because I hated knowledge, and didn’t choose to fear the Lord, and I was not interested in the Lord’s counsel, and because I rejected all the Lord’s correction, then I will eat the fruit of my way and be glutted with my own schemes.”
Choices! We like to make them, we just don’t like it when the choices we make have negative consequences. It is easy to “do what I want,” if is hard to take time to accept counsel and seek knowledge. It is easy to choose my own way and to spurn the Lord’s way and His counsel. To not do what I would like or prefer to do, requires discipline. Discipline is hard, but discipline has rewards.
So, I put my family first instead of my desires first. I save for that big purchase, instead of going into debt. I get up and go to work, even when I don’t want to. I obey and follow the Lord, even when it is hard.
Why? Because the fruit of my own way leaves a “bad taste” in my mouth and my own schemes will turn against me. There are natural laws and consequences and their are spiritual laws and consequences. You will find that it is the rare exception when the Lord in His mercy allows us to escape the consequences of our own actions.
Of course the greatest consequence of our own actions is an eternity away from the Lord’s presence. God has provided us the opportunity to choose His way and have forgiveness and eternal life. But if we refuse His provision, counsel and offer of life, we will experience the ultimate consequence of “going our own way.” The Living Bible paraphrases the final words of Proverbs 1:31 in this way, “…[you will] experience the full terrors of the pathway you have chosen.”
The natural consequences of our own wisdom is death, but the natural consequence of choosing God’s wisdom, counsel and forgiveness is life.