So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” —Genesis 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Having established how actions have consequences in the previous article, we must understand that this subject should not be taken lightly. Your actions can either change your life for the better or destroy it. I know this might sound harsh, but that is exactly how serious our choices can be.
Someone might ask, “Can’t we simply ask God for forgiveness and make everything go away?” The truth is, you can ask God for forgiveness, and He will forgive you, but that does not erase the consequences. It simply means you have made peace with God. The earthly results of your actions will still follow. For example, if someone deliberately kills another person and asks for forgiveness, God will certainly forgive them. However, that forgiveness will not stop the offender from going to jail, as that is the legal consequence of their crime. Therefore, we must be incredibly careful about the actions we take in our day-to-day lives.
Consider the story of a teacher who wanted to show her students the lasting impact of their actions. She asked them to bring a glass cup and break it. Afterward, she instructed them to carefully piece it back together using strong glue. When they finished, the cup looked almost exactly as it did before it was broken. However, when she asked them to pour water into it, the water leaked out from every crack. Even though the cup was carefully put back together, it could no longer hold water because its structural integrity was compromised. This is exactly what happens when we make poor choices. We must become deeply mindful of the actions we take.
Remember the story of Esau, who sold his birthright simply because he was hungry. The Bible warns us about this danger: …let no one become immoral or unspiritual like Esau, who for a single meal sold his rights as the older son. Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive his father’s blessing; but he was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done, even though in tears he looked for it. —Hebrews 12:16-17 (GNT)
The Message translation puts it this way: …watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. —Hebrews 12:16-17 (MSG). Did you catch that? With just one impulsive action, everything was lost. This serves as a powerful reminder that we must be cautious. At the end of the day, every action comes with an unavoidable consequence.
Today’s Rhema
Actions have consequences. Therefore, take the right actions deliberately so you can achieve the right outcome!
Prayer
Father, I am grateful for what You are teaching me about the importance of actions. From today onward, I declare that my actions will always be righteous, and I will reap the right outcome, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
