Living with the Consequences of Bad Decisions

by Zeke Flores

How terrible it is to live with the consequences of terrible decisions. Israel was having to do just that. Though God warned them about their idolatry, they didn’t listen. Though God told them that their exploitation of the poor and needy was evil, they didn’t listen. Though God said to them that their dependence on the military might of others (think Egypt) would not save them, they didn’t listen. Instead, they listened to the words of well-meaning but false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear, not what they needed to hear. And based on that faulty information, they continued making very bad decisions until God’s patience ended.

We can be the same.

Too often, we’ll ignore the numerous warning signs that God puts in our path and, instead, listen to the well-meaning but misguided advice of friends who may want to make us feel better but don’t help us to be better. But if a friend tells you the truth, the hard truth, and you know it’s for the best, then appreciate it.

And do it.

Facing the truth can change your heart and restore your spiritual fortunes. It may be hard, but it’s the right thing to do.

"Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your inquiry to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading" (Lamentations 2:14).