“Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness,” Proverbs 13:16 NLT.
To think before doing something has become cliche for some people. We’ve heard this expression since we were little kids, so sometimes we can forget the importance of it. Thinking before you do something and not thinking can be the difference between sinning and not. I want to discuss this idea and remind us of the importance of thinking.
Think before you speak
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear,” Ephesians 4:29 ESV.
“I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue, I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence,” Psalm 39:1.
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,” Matthew 12:36.
We say things so quickly and often without even thinking. When we’re caught up in the heat of a moment, do we stop and think that we will have to give an account of what we are about to say? Do we think about our situation and the people we are around so we can say the best things? Our words are powerful but will only be powerful for good when we use them wisely. To be Christ-like, we must learn to think before we say things.
Think about the long-term
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty,” James 2:12.
“For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God,” Romans 14:10–12.
Someone has said, “Never make lifelong decisions based on temporary feelings.” I would have fewer regrets if I had lived out this quote. I often get caught up in the moment with fleeting emotions, and I do things and say things without thinking about the effect they will have on the rest of my life. I typically don’t take the time to think about how things will affect my salvation or my relationship with Christ. I would be a lot better off if I did. If I had thought about the consequences of my actions, I would not have to face the consequences of so many stupid things.
Think like Christ
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him,” Colossians 3:17.
In summary, I want to encourage us to think like Jesus. Ask ourselves if what we are about to say or do reflects Christ. Always take the time to think about if Jesus would do this or say this. We all need to strive to do Jesus-like things constantly, and if we think that what we are about to do isn’t going to give glory to God then we shouldn’t do it! In every single thing we do, we must think about the impact it’s going to have. Losing eternity with God is not worth a single thoughtless word or action, and we need to always remember this. So, I want to encourage us to always think before we act.
In Christian Love,
Julianna
