We do not live in an isolated world, what you do can affect other people and what other people do can affect you.
Every action we take, no matter how small it may seem, has the potential to create ripples that extend far beyond our immediate surroundings. This interconnectedness implies that what you do can significantly affect other people in ways you may not always anticipate.
The wrong choices we make have ramifications, not only on ourselves, but also on those around us.
From Series: Life Lessons Learned from the Bible - Joshua 7
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Numerous stories in the Bible demonstrate that our actions can impact not only ourselves but also future generations.
One such story is found in Joshua. This is a story of how a single decision by one man completely destroyed his family. Many of us might find this story familiar, as our parents' past actions have led us to face the consequences of their choices today.
Joshua, along with all of Israel, gathered all of Achan’s belongings. Joshua asked, “Why have you caused us this trouble? Today, the Lord will bring trouble upon you.” Subsequently, all of Israel executed Achan and his family. Following this, the Lord’s intense anger subsided —Joshua 7:24-26
The Israelites engaged in battle with Jericho, and God instructed them not to take the devoted items (those God reserved for Himself). However, Achan from the tribe of Judah desired what he saw and took a beautiful robe and some money, hiding them in his dwelling. His decision led to his death as well as the death of his children.
We can see the same consequence play out in our lives today. Some of us are paying the price for the actions our parents did and are either struggling to get out of it or is still in it.
Let’s take a look at Solomon in 1 Kings chapter 11. God cautioned His people against marrying foreign women. This warning was not due to their foreign status but because they worshipped idols, and God did not want His people to be swayed by their customs and lifestyle.
However, Solomon ignored God's warning, and as a result of his disobedience, he was influenced, deceived, and began worshipping other gods. The Lord appeared to Solomon twice to advise him against his actions but Solomon continued to disobey. His self-serving choice impacted his generation and the entire nation.
Solomon’s story illustrates that as leaders, our actions impact those we guide. Whether in business, politics, ministry, or family, our decisions also influence others.
We do not exist in a vacuum or an isolated world—our actions impact those around us. The decisions we make can affect the fate of those near us and the lives of the people we guide.
Due to God’s promise and His faithfulness to His word, the entire kingdom wasn't removed from Solomon. Instead, it was divided, and Solomon's son retained only one nation out of the twelve that were rightfully his. Unfortunately, his son lost 11 nations that were his birthright, and Solomon no longer experienced peace because God allowed adversaries to rise against him.
Another example is Adam, who lived in close communion with God. He had great wisdom because he named all the animals in creation. However, he listened to his wife's advice over God's commands and did what God said not to do (Genesis 3:1-24).
Adam's decision to disobey God led to his and his family's expulsion from paradise, transforming his life from one of freedom, provision, health, and abundance to one of hardship.
Exodus 34:7 says, "Maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
And Romans 5:18 says,"So one man’s sin brought guilt to all people. In the same way, one right act made people right with God. That one right act gave life to all people." Like Romans 5:18 mentioned fortunately we have Jesus Christ who is the only capable person to correct or makeup for our wrongdoings.
These Scriptures show us when we do wrong it can become a united problem because we are all connected in some way. A single action on our part can trigger a chain reaction.
At the time of writing this blog, a war is ongoing between Russia and Ukraine. Despite individuals in both countries opposing the conflict, thousands are in danger of losing their lives due to a single person's decision to engage in warfare. This choice has led to widespread suffering and economic devastation.
There was a man known for being deceitful and manipulative. He would trick others to obtain money or possessions from them. There were no boundaries to his pursuit of what he desired. Whether it involved lying, stealing, or worse, he went to any lengths. Ultimately, his behavior had repercussions for his children. People retaliated against his children to avenge his wrongdoings. His misdeeds impacted his children's lives.
Thankfully, this story ends well. His children did not follow the same behavior patterns of their father andtheir relationship with God changed their terrible start in life to a beautiful ending.
To this day they continue to live under God's protection, favor, and love. Unfortunately, this is not everyone's ending. Within the same family, his brother was also manipulative and deceitful, and one of his children died as a result of the father's sins.
There are many real-life stories that can be told showing how the children of the parents who made bad choices were affected by life's tragedies. These choices by their parents led to various forms of mistreatment, addictions, misfortunes, illnesses, and difficult living conditions.
The takeaway is this, don't let selfishness and carelessness guide your decisions, as the consequences will impact both you and everyone you're connected to. Furthermore, having a relationship with God unites you with Him, and through this union, you'll be supported in making better and wiser choices in life.
With God's wisdom, you will gain the insight needed to make wise decisions and rational judgments, enabling you to overcome challenges and handle any situation you face with minimal losses.
Finally, let us do our generation a favor and be selfless, remain obedient to God’s instructions, commands, and warnings, to no longer harm those around us and to protect our legacy.
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will become one with yours. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, as you and Him are now one.
All you must do is receive salvation, simply choosing to repent of your sins and welcome Jesus into your life by confessing Him as Lord. In Romans 10:9 Paul said, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Here's a Prayer that you can pray to get saved:
Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe in my heart that you died and were risen for my sins. I ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior—in Jesus' name, Amen.
After this step, pray for guidance to find a ministry where you can grow spiritually, gain knowledge about the kingdom, and begin living the abundant life promised by Jesus.
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