Choosing Wisdom: Intentional Living for a Better Future
Summary
In today's message, we explored the concept of living wisely by examining the decisions we make and the questions we ask ourselves. The central theme revolves around the idea that our natural inclination is to live as close to the line of irresponsibility as possible, often asking, "Is there anything wrong with this?" This mindset can lead us to make decisions that are not necessarily wrong but are unwise, paving the way for regret.
We delved into the importance of asking the right questions to guide our decision-making process. The fourth question in our series, "What is the wise thing to do?" challenges us to consider our past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams. This question serves as a filter to help us make decisions that align with our values and aspirations, rather than merely avoiding wrongdoing.
The Apostle Paul's words in Ephesians remind us to be careful how we live, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. This means living intentionally and not allowing the cultural pull towards immediacy and excess to dictate our choices. By asking the wisdom question, we can avoid the pitfalls of unwise decisions and create a life that reflects our true desires and goals.
Ultimately, the message encourages us to live purposefully, making decisions that lead us toward a preferred future. By doing so, we not only improve our own lives but also positively impact those who depend on us. The challenge is to put away excuses and embrace the wisdom question as a guiding principle in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Living on the Edge: Our tendency to live close to the line of irresponsibility often leads us to ask the wrong questions, such as "Is there anything wrong with this?" Instead, we should focus on what is wise, as this approach helps us avoid regret and make better decisions. [05:16]
- The Power of Questions: Good questions lead to good decisions. By asking ourselves, "What is the wise thing to do?" we align our choices with our values and aspirations, ensuring that we live intentionally and purposefully. [06:34]
- The Maturity Question: This question requires us to consider our past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams. It challenges us to make decisions that are not just permissible but truly wise, helping us avoid the gateway to regret. [09:55]
- Redeeming the Time: The Apostle Paul urges us to make the most of every opportunity, recognizing that our time is our most valuable asset. By investing it wisely, we can propel ourselves toward a preferred future and avoid the cultural pull towards immediacy and excess. [12:58]
- Planning for the Future: Our future hopes and dreams should guide our present decisions. By asking the wisdom question with the future in mind, we bring clarity to our choices and ensure that we are not undermining our own aspirations. [22:44]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - The Curfew Experience
[01:06] - The Five-Minute Syndrome
[02:23] - Living Close to the Line
[03:35] - The Flawed Assumption
[04:20] - How Low Can I Go?
[05:16] - The Wrong Question
[06:34] - Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets
[07:32] - The Integrity Question
[08:28] - The Conscience Question
[09:55] - The Maturity Question
[11:41] - Be Careful How You Live
[13:10] - Redeeming the Time
[15:20] - The Best Question Ever
[20:47] - Future Hopes and Dreams
[25:18] - Planning Your Future
[27:57] - Customizing Decision-Making
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:15-16: "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
Observation Questions:
1. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he instructs believers to "be very careful, then, how you live" in Ephesians 5:15? How does this relate to the concept of living wisely? [11:56]
2. In the sermon, what examples are given to illustrate the tendency to live close to the line of irresponsibility? [02:23]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between asking the right questions and making wise decisions? [06:34]
4. What is the significance of the "maturity question" in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to personal decision-making? [09:55]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "redeeming the time" in Ephesians 5:16 apply to modern-day living, according to the sermon? [12:58]
2. Why does the sermon suggest that asking "What is the wise thing to do?" is a sign of maturity? How does this question differ from simply asking if something is right or wrong? [09:55]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that cultural influences can lead to unwise decisions, and how can believers counteract this? [14:23]
4. How does the sermon connect past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams to the process of making wise decisions? [15:32]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you ask yourself, "What is the wise thing to do?" How might the outcome have been different if you had? [09:55]
2. Identify an area in your life where you tend to live close to the line of irresponsibility. What steps can you take to move away from that line and make wiser choices? [02:23]
3. Consider your current circumstances. How might they be influencing your decision-making process, and what adjustments can you make to ensure you are making wise choices? [19:10]
4. Think about your future hopes and dreams. What specific decisions can you make today to align your actions with those aspirations? [22:44]
5. How can you create more margin in your life to avoid the "five more minutes" syndrome and make decisions that reflect your true values and goals? [01:38]
6. In what ways can you be more intentional about redeeming your time and making the most of every opportunity in your daily life? [12:58]
7. Reflect on a past experience that led to regret. How can you use the wisdom question to prevent similar situations in the future? [11:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Wisely Beyond the Line of Irresponsibility
Our natural tendency is to live as close to the line of irresponsibility as possible, often asking, "Is there anything wrong with this?" This mindset can lead us to make decisions that are not necessarily wrong but are unwise, paving the way for regret. Instead of focusing on what is permissible, we should ask ourselves, "What is the wise thing to do?" This approach helps us avoid regret and make better decisions. By shifting our focus from merely avoiding wrongdoing to seeking wisdom, we align our choices with our values and aspirations, ensuring that we live intentionally and purposefully. [05:16]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: Think of a recent decision where you asked, "Is there anything wrong with this?" How might the outcome have changed if you had asked, "What is the wise thing to do?"
Day 2: The Power of Asking the Right Questions
Good questions lead to good decisions. By asking ourselves, "What is the wise thing to do?" we align our choices with our values and aspirations, ensuring that we live intentionally and purposefully. This question serves as a filter to help us make decisions that reflect our true desires and goals, rather than merely avoiding wrongdoing. It challenges us to consider our past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, guiding us toward a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling. [06:34]
Proverbs 2:6-7 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity."
Reflection: Identify a decision you are currently facing. How can asking, "What is the wise thing to do?" help you align this decision with your long-term values and goals?
Day 3: The Maturity Question and Avoiding Regret
The maturity question requires us to consider our past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams. It challenges us to make decisions that are not just permissible but truly wise, helping us avoid the gateway to regret. By reflecting on our life journey and aspirations, we can make choices that propel us toward a preferred future. This question encourages us to live purposefully, making decisions that lead us toward a life that reflects our true desires and goals. [09:55]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: Reflect on a past decision that led to regret. How might considering your past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes have changed your decision-making process?
Day 4: Redeeming the Time and Living Intentionally
The Apostle Paul urges us to make the most of every opportunity, recognizing that our time is our most valuable asset. By investing it wisely, we can propel ourselves toward a preferred future and avoid the cultural pull towards immediacy and excess. Living intentionally means being mindful of how we use our time and ensuring that our choices align with our values and aspirations. By asking the wisdom question, we can avoid the pitfalls of unwise decisions and create a life that reflects our true desires and goals. [12:58]
Colossians 4:5 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time."
Reflection: Consider how you spend your time daily. What changes can you make to ensure you are investing your time in ways that align with your values and future aspirations?
Day 5: Planning for the Future with Wisdom
Our future hopes and dreams should guide our present decisions. By asking the wisdom question with the future in mind, we bring clarity to our choices and ensure that we are not undermining our own aspirations. This approach helps us live purposefully, making decisions that lead us toward a preferred future. By doing so, we not only improve our own lives but also positively impact those who depend on us. The challenge is to put away excuses and embrace the wisdom question as a guiding principle in our lives. [22:44]
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV): "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."
Reflection: Think about your future hopes and dreams. How can you incorporate the wisdom question into your daily decision-making to ensure you are moving toward these aspirations?
Quotes
Our natural inclination is to live as close to the line as possible, which line? Well the line between legal and illegal, the line between responsible and irresponsible, the line between moral and immoral, the line between ethical and unethical, the line between I'm still in control and I need help. And it's just human nature. It's human nature to snuggle up to the edge of irresponsibility, disaster embarrassment and to stay there as long as possible. [00:02:29]
Fueling this incessant flirtation with disaster is a flawed assumption that informs so many of our decisions, an assumption that, well it basically impedes our ability to make good decisions. And this assumption is why I think we're so comfortable living, dating, spending, eating, drinking and driving on the edge of embarrassment or worse. [00:03:12]
If it's not wrong, well, then it's all right. If it's not illegal, then clearly is permissible. If it's not immoral, it's acceptable. And if it's not over the line, it's fine. Now, if the problem with this way of thinking is not immediately parent. just put on your older brother, sister hat for a moment. If you're a parent, just put on your parent hat for a moment. [00:03:42]
Is there anything wrong with this? A question that usually leads to a second question how did I get myself into this? Drawing our lines, setting our limits and establishing our moral or ethical standards on the borderline between right and wrong, legal, illegal, healthy and unhealthy eliminates any margin for error. It is a foolish and it's a dangerous way to live. [00:05:16]
Good questions actually set us up for better decisions. It could be argued that the decisions you make are no better than the questions that you ask. And I'm absolutely convinced that if you will ask and if you will answer honestly and if you will act on your answer to these five questions you will make better decisions. And consequently you will be forced to live with fewer regrets. [00:06:48]
The prudent see danger and they take refuge. Prudent people are wise people. They embrace the reality that one thing leads to another and they decide their lives accordingly. The unwise, the immature, the naive you know how this statement goes the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple, the simple they keep going and what happens? They pay the penalty. [00:09:18]
What is the wise thing to do, when making a decision of any consequence? I want you to pause and ask, "Okay what is the wise thing for me to do?" The option you're considering maybe legal, maybe acceptable, permissible and industry standard, not exactly immoral, but is it wise? Now, here's something mature people understand. [00:09:55]
A decision can be both not wrong and unwise at the same time, a decision or an option you're exploring can be not wrong, it's not wrong, but it can be not wrong and unwise at the same time. Isn't it true? And I hate to bring this up, but isn't it true that your greatest regret. And when I say greatest regret I'm talking about that moment of regret. [00:10:23]
Be very careful then how you live. Not as unwise but as wise. Making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. So while a lot has improved since the first century apparently human nature has not. Ancient folks and us modern folks are equally prone to live carelessly and unwisely, to snuggle up to the edge of disaster and pretty much stay there as long as possible. [00:11:56]
Paul is inviting you. Paul is inviting us to invest our time wisely from this moment forward. From this day forward, you are invited to make the most of or to redeem or to leverage your most valuable asset, your time. To invest your time in a way that actually propels you forward toward a preferred future. [00:14:01]
In light of my past experience, my current circumstances and my future hopes and dreams. What is the wise thing for me to do? In light of my past experience, my current circumstances, my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do? Now I imagine you're familiar with little quip that says "Those who can't remember the past are condemned or are doomed to repeat it." [00:15:28]
What breaks my heart is watching people make decisions that undermine their own future, their own future hopes and dreams. It breaks my heart to watch individuals or couples make relationship decisions that are going to undermine their relationship. It breaks my heart to watch teenagers make decisions that are going to result in consequences that trail around behind them for maybe a decade or even two. [00:20:51]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?