Consequences

One of the steps in avoiding making stupid mistakes (and falling into sin) is to mediate on and ponder the consequences before hand.

I often wonder if King David would have committed adultery if he knew that that as a result of his actions the following would occur:

- His baby died
- His beautiful daughter, Tamar, was raped by her half-brother Amnon.
- Amnon was murdered by Tamar's full-brother Absalom.
- Absalom came to so hate his father David for his moral turpitude that he led a rebellion under the tutelage of Bathsheba's resentful grandfather, Ahithophel.
- David's reign lost God's favor. His throne never regained its former stability.

I would suggest that David would never have given more than a fleeting glance to Bathsheba if he could have seen the shattering results.

And....I believe that few, if any, would ever stray from God's Word if they could see what would follow.

I want to go back to the movie "Fireproof" that we saw last Sunday evening. Excellent flick...great message.

"Fireproof" is the story of Caleb and Kathryn Holt, a couple that is considering divorce after seven years of marriage.

In one last attempt to salvage their marriage, Caleb's father asks Caleb to try a 40-day experiment he calls The Love Dare. Caleb agrees.

In this scene Caleb (Kirk Cameron), a firefighter, is sitting at a kitchen table in the firehouse with the his co-worker, Michael (Ken Bevel). Caleb has just told Michael about The Love Dare.

"Forty days?" Michael asks. "Does Kathryn know?"

Shaking his head no, Caleb replies, "I'm not going to tell her. If she wants to go ahead and file [for divorce] it's up to her."

"Divorce is a hard thing," Michael says.

"Well, if it brings peace…" replies Caleb.

"Caleb, you want the right kind of peace."

"What do you mean by that?" asks Caleb.

Michael, pointing to Caleb's wedding band, asks, "Do you know what that ring on your finger means?"

"It means I'm married," Caleb answers smugly.

"Well, it also means you made a lifelong covenant," says Michael. "You putting on that ring while saying your vows—that's the sad part about it. When most people promise for better or for worse, they really mean 'for better.'"

"Kathryn and I were in love when we first got married," Caleb explains. "But today we're two very different people. It's just not working out anymore."

Michael grabs the salt and pepper shakers that are sitting on the table. He holds them up and says, "Caleb, salt and pepper are completely different. Their make up is different. Their taste is different. Their color. But you always see them together. And when you—. Hold on just a second."

Michael grabs a tube of glue and glues the salt and pepper shakers together.

Surprised, Caleb says, "What did you do that for?"

"Caleb," Michael says, "when two people get married, it's for better or for worse. For richer for poorer. In sickness and in health."

Frustrated, Caleb says, "I know that! But marriages aren't fireproof. Sometimes you get burned."

"Being fireproof doesn't mean that a fire will never come," Michael says, "but that when it comes you'll be able to withstand it."

Caleb picks up the salt and pepper shakers and tries his best to pull them apart. "You didn't have to glue them together," he says.

"Don't do it, Caleb," says Michael. "If you pull them apart now, you'll break either one or both of them."

If you are considering divorce in your marriage - don't! Think of the consequences. It will break either one of you or both of you or your entire family.

If you are considering adultery - don't! It will ruin your walk with God and your marriage.

If you are considering slander - don't! It will ruin your reputation and the reputation of the person you are slandering at the same time.

If you are considering walking away from God - don't! It will ruin your connection with God and take you out from under the covering of his protection.

DO think through the consequences...and avoid life-changing mistakes.

Just some thoughts for a Thursday morning....