A Journey Toward Wisdom - Pt. 2

 

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. (Proverbs 1:10-19 ESV).

 

The quote “Just because you can doesn't mean you should” was first written in the book Practically Radical (Summary) by William C. Taylor. William C. Taylor is an American writer, speaker, and entrepreneur who co-founded Fast Company magazine and wrote "Simply Brilliant: How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways." This quote serves as a reminder that having the capability to do something doesn't always mean it's the right or responsible course of action. Our reading today has some of that wisdom ringing through its instruction.

 

Solomon gives us our first instruction toward wisdom. Paraphrasing our reading, he says we must not fall into the trap of listening to those who would lead us to take the “easy” way. Jesus said it this way:

 

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV).

 

Our decisions must be governed by both what the results will be now and in the future. Most of the time we fail to resist those things that we will regret later. This is unwise and destructive. As I survey the technology of our day, I wonder if it helps our lives in the long run or not; I wonder if it is not simply making it easier for us to take the wide gate. Exercise restraint in all of your decisions. That takes you toward wisdom and life!