What Lessons Does Experience Teach Us?

There are times when it’s difficult to distinguish if a decision is ill-advised and will evolve into a serious mistake. Making a wrong turn onto a street because of poor visibility can be excused, but choosing to exceed the speed limit in a school zone is not an acceptable mistake.

Choosing is a process of the intellect while a mistake can be attributed to faulty information or confusion. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is packed with issues for today’s believer. This young man chose to demand his inheritance early rather than wait for his father’s death.

The Prodigal Son wasn’t confused or lacking intelligence but was short on experience. To gain the respect of his son, the father permitted him to choose failure but without condemnation. The father’s choice was risky, yet he believed in his son. God permits us to make choices that may result in pain and suffering, but he never gives up on us. 

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If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.

~James 1:5 Good News Bible

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The God-given Right to Choose

Very seldom does anything exist in total isolation. God in Genesis 1:26 declared, "Let us make man in our image,” implying Jesus was an equal participant in the creation of mankind. John 1:3 confirms with this reminder, “Through him all things were made.” God is creator of the family, where attachments endure for life.

Temptation entices its victims to discard God’s boundaries. Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden to doubt God’s simple rules. Satan’s objective was to cripple her faithfulness to God. The cutting edge of temptation is filled with deception.

God did not abandon Eve to Satan’s power but gave her the option to choose. While we can't be perfect, God empowers us with wisdom and insight to fight every temptation. He does this because of his great love and desire for fellowship with us. Be wise and permit God to rescue you from the snare of temptation.  

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If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.

~James 1:5 God’s Word Translation

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Facing Down Temptation

Everyone has fallen prey to temptation’s allurement. Temptation is unavoidable, and I'm not referring to being lured into a heinous crime or being seduced by obsessive sexual lust, but by enticements that may appear harmless. The temptation may be to overlook appropriate Christian ethics in everyday living.

A reason for discarding Christian values in social settings is cutthroat competition that disregards the Golden Rule. A common conviction is that you have to "play it safe" and maintain the status quo by standing firm in your comfort zone, which is a defense against risking failure.

The key to resisting temptations to play it safe and risk nothing is found in James 1:5: “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to provide a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him." After asking God for wisdom, be prepared to use what he gives in ways that honor him.  

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For inasmuch as [Jesus] has suffered himself by being tempted, he is able to give immediate help to any who are tempted.

~Hebrews 2:18 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Errors in Judgment? Corrections Are Possible

Whenever a new beginning is embarked upon, fine-tuning objectives are often required to safeguard success. While it's impossible to predict every obstacle that interferes with reaching an objective, being prepared can prevent setbacks or even failure. Errors in judgment will at some point have to be faced.

When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people waiting for him grew restless and persuaded Aaron, Moses' brother, to make a golden calf for them to worship. They wanted a god with a face to take the place of the invisible God who had delivered them from Egyptian slavery.

The Israelites discovered that faulty judgments can be costly, but if seen as a learning experience, they can be a guide for future decisions. While some judgment calls cannot be revoked, corrections are possible with God’s help and guidance. His mercy and grace are greater than all your sin. God is quick to forgive when you turn to him and away from sin.  

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If you want to know what God wants to know, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.  

~James 1:5 The Living Bible

 But if we freely admit that we have sinned, we find him reliable and just – he forgives our sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.

~1 John 1:9 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Accept God's Work and Wisdom

The idea that God calls individuals for specific tasks may be difficult to comprehend. When Joseph came before Pharaoh, king of Egypt to interpret his dreams, how could he have imagined that within minutes of his interpretation he would be the second highest ranking official in Egypt responsible for providing food for all its people? 

          Joseph came directly from prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. This opportunity stemmed from having helped a fellow inmate two years earlier. That man recommended him to Pharaoh. When you use your abilities to help others, never underestimate the far-reaching effects of what a good deed, an act of kindness, or a word of encouragement may mean to God. 

          1 Corinthians 15:58 is a reminder. "So, then my dear friends stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.” Give God credit for creating you for a specific task and providing you the wisdom to carry it out. When you ask God for wisdom, He will give it.  

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If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about them, then you will be truly wise!

…The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

~James 3:13, 17-18 The Living Bible