What practical steps can we take to avoid folly in our actions? Seeing the Problem Clearly Ecclesiastes 10:3 lays out the issue: “Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.” Folly isn’t hidden; it leaks into everyday choices, exposing us. To avoid that, we need practical guardrails. Anchor Your Mind in Scripture • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • Daily, deliberate intake: read, meditate, and memorize. • Let the Word shape first reactions; when God’s truth is stored up, foolish impulses lose power (Psalm 119:11). Invite God’s Wisdom Daily • James 1:5—“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… and it will be given.” • Begin each morning asking for wisdom tailored to the day’s specific tasks, decisions, and relationships. • Expect God to answer; act on the light He gives. Choose Companions Carefully • Proverbs 13:20—“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” • Evaluate inner-circle friendships: Are they pushing you toward Christ or toward compromise? • Seek mentors whose lives already display the fruit you desire. Cultivate Humility • Proverbs 12:15—“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.” • Welcome correction without defensiveness. • Regularly ask trusted believers, “Do you see blind spots in my life?” Walk with Intentionality • Ephesians 5:15-16—“Be very careful, then, how you live— not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time.” • Schedule priorities rather than merely prioritizing schedules; margin leaves less room for impulsive mistakes. • Review decisions—big and small—through the lens of eternal impact. Guard Your Heart from Corrupting Influences • 1 Corinthians 15:33—“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” • Audit media, entertainment, and internet habits; remove inputs that normalize sin or mock wisdom. • Replace them with worship music, biblically sound podcasts, godly books. Stay Teachable • Proverbs 9:9—“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still.” • Keep learning: attend Bible studies, read biographies of faithful believers, jot down insights during sermons. • Record what God teaches and revisit it; repetition cements wisdom. Trust and Obey—Even When It’s Unpopular • Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” • Obedience often cuts across cultural trends; courage to follow through protects from folly. • Small daily acts of obedience accumulate into a life that displays wisdom. The Fruit We Can Expect • Peace that rules the heart (Colossians 3:15). • A reputation for integrity that draws others to Christ (Matthew 5:16). • Fewer regrets and a clearer witness because actions align with truth (Philippians 2:15). Walk the road with these guardrails, and instead of displaying folly, you’ll showcase the wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17). |
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