Sunday afternoon, I stuck my thumb painfully into my eye. Not on purpose, of course, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. Whose fault was it? Well, I playfully threw a pillow at my wife. She threw it back. I went to block the flying pillow, but since I missed it the force of the block sent my thumb right into my left eye.
As a parent, I am often warning my children of the potential dangers as they run with scissors, use pencils for a pretend sword fight, and throw fastballs at each other. The book of Proverbs in the Bible does much the same for us – if we’re willing to listen.
In Proverbs chapter 1, a group of thieves promise easy money and great amounts of fun. “Join us,” they say, “and life will be great.” But the end result of their life style is tragedy and self-destruction (see Prov 1:10-19). In Proverbs chapter 6, the adulteress seduces with her words and her looks. She invites for a time of guiltless pleasure; no one will find out! But that is a lie, and the horrific consequences are without escape (see Prov 6:23-35). In Proverbs chapter 9, the woman folly invites passers by to come into her house. Her food is the best, because stolen food gives the most pleasure. But the end result is death (see Prov 9:13, 17-18).
“There is a way that seems right to a person; that seems fun to a person; that promises the greatest satisfaction. But the end result is death.” This is so important, Proverbs says it twice (Prov 14:12, 16:25)!
We all like to have fun and enjoy life. That’s a God-given desire. But pursuing that desire needs to be accompanied by God-given wisdom. Take a long look at what you are doing. What is the long term outcome? Many times, we pursue a short term pleasure that produces long term pain. Or, we avoid a short term discomfort that would produce long term benefit.
Thankfully, I have no long term pain or impairment to my eye. But, I was truly scared that I had playfully damaged my sight permanently. Get wisdom from God and take a long-term look at your life.