APP: I’ve lost track of the number of high school students who’ve told me that they didn’t know there were consequences for their choices. Huh? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how they reached their conclusion. Popular thinking tells us that we don’t have to be concerned about any outcome for our decisions. It’s pretty appealing to think we can do anything we want and not worry about the consequences. But it’s an ugly truth to live by.
Every choice—no matter how insignificant it may seem—has a consequence. One small decision can change the entire history of our lives. The problem is that our culture says there are no consequences. I think deep inside we all know this isn’t true, but it tends to make life less complex. Consequences can change our lives for the good or the bad. Each time we are faced with a decision, we should think about the cost: If I make this decision today, what will it cost me tomorrow? Next week? Next year? If we learn to make better choices, the consequences will be more positive, and so will our lives.
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
ACTS 5:29 ASV
The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
PROVERBS 22:3 ESV
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
PROVERBS 18:21 NIV
Say to the people of Israel: Those who curse their God will be punished for their sin.
LEVITICUS 24:15 NLT
For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.
1 CORINTHIANS 11:29 NRSV