The Hot Stove of Consequences

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." - Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)

Adrian Rogers said this: "Many Christians will sow their wild oats all during the week, then on Sunday they'll pray for crop failure." They're asking God to help them avoid the consequences of their poor choices.

When God says in His Word, "Don't do this," He's trying to help you. He's trying to protect you. When He says, "Do this," He's saying, "Enjoy it." Enjoy what God has given you. But we look at those commands and think, "These are too restrictive. God's trying to keep me from having fun." So we go ahead and do it anyway. Then we hurt ourselves. The consequence is suffering.

You tell your kids, "Don't touch the hot stove." But curiosity overwhelms the child. They touch the hot stove. They only have to touch it once, though. Why? Because they immediately feel the consequence of that bad choice.

Sometimes we suffer because of the consequences of our own choices. We feel the heat from that stove. We decided to do something God said not to do. God's not mocked. Whatever you sow, you're going to reap.

Peter mentions this in 1 Peter 4:15, "Let none of you suffer as a murderer. As a thief. As an evildoer. Or as a busybody in other people's matters." On a side note, notice that he places being a busybody (or a gossip) in the same category as being a murderer or a thief. Wow!

Sometimes the heat we feel isn't persecution. Its consequences. We touched the hot stove. Ask God to forgive you, and remember that God's commands are to help us and protect us. He doesn't want us to suffer in this way.

Reflection Question: Is there an area where you've been ignoring God's guidance? Are you experiencing the "hot stove" consequences right now?

Loving Father, I confess that I have sometimes ignored Your warnings. I've burned my fingers on the hot stove of my own poor choices. Thank You for Your loving discipline. Help me see Your commands, not as restrictions, but as Your protection. Give me wisdom to learn from my mistakes and courage to follow Your guidance completely. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "When the Heat is On": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/vczppxd/21-when-the-heat-is-on-1-peter-4-12-19