Bad Decisions

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matthew 5:22 NAS)

In certain parts of the world, the term ‘ding-dong’ refers to a person who is slow-witted or foolish. Where I live, if a person makes an irrational decision, we sometimes say of that person is a ding-dong.

Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, said whoever calls his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing’ or ‘You fool’ shall be guilty before the supreme court enough to go into the fiery hell (Matthew 5:22). This is in relation to speaking out in anger for which reason reconciliation is advised prior to coming before God when we remember our bother has something against us (Matthew 5:23-24).

As a team, we sometimes have to bear the consequences together. Even so, there is no need for us to blame or talk bad about the decision-maker or to label him or her a ding-dong, good-for-nothing, stupid or fool. A wrong decision made does not deserve a death sentence except when it is done deliberately against God’s counsel or offer of salvation. If we have any counsel or advice, we should let the person know prior to making the decision. The choice however is not ours to dictate, for God has granted freewill to everyone. 

With each decision, nevertheless, the consequences will be bore in full. We know how the story unwrapped with Pharaoh’s decision not to let the children of Israel go in the days of Moses (Exodus 5-14). We also know what happened to Nabal when he in his foolishness turned away God’s elect, David (1 Samuel 25:2-39). Knowing the consequences the yet unsaved have to bear without Jesus Christ as Lord, all the more so we need to bring them into the kingdom of God.

Are we making decisions without consulting God and His word? Are we blaming others for the bad decisions they made? Are we neglecting the sharing of the gospel to the unsaved? Let us not be the ones making foolish decisions or saying the wrong things or be the ones sentencing people to death.

Forgive us dear Lord for the many wrong decisions we have made and for the not-so-nice things we have said in our anger. We know You have given us the freedom of choice to make the right decisions, so guide us as we seek Your will to fulfill. Help us not give up on those who have chosen the wrong path, but lead us as we continue to speak to them and bring them to You.