Stop. Look. Listen. Think.
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
07/22/2021
An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? (Jeremiah 5:30–31)
When I was in high school, I remember watching a short public service video in class one day that warned of the dangers of railroad crossings. After citing several examples of accidents involving trains and vehicles, the narrator pleaded with the audience to, “Stop! Look! And listen!” at railroad crossings. That was some forty years ago, yet I still remember the video. It left an impression.
That motto can be applied to more than just train safety. It serves as a good rule of thumb for making decisions throughout life as well. I recall one time when I was late for an appointment and the traffic was terrible. Impatiently, without giving it much thought, I turned off the main road in hopes of finding an alternate route. Big mistake. This was before the days of cell phones and GPS navigation systems. I soon found myself in the middle of nowhere, and it took me an additional two hours to get back to familiar territory. I missed my meeting entirely.
In Jeremiah, the prophet rebukes the people of Judah for not “looking before they leap,” so to speak. They had not taken the time to consider the ultimate consequence of their actions before giving heed to their craven desires of idolatry and lust. The prophet calls on them to consider the end of their actions. He asks, “What will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:31).
As if stopped at a railroad crossing, he calls on them to stop, look, and listen. And we might add, think. He challenged them to consider the consequences. “Are you sure this is the way you want to behave?” he essentially asks. “What will you do in the end when judgment comes?” This is an important question for all of us to ask from time to time. Can you imagine how many mistakes might be averted and how much heartache could be avoided if we would only stop and consider the consequences?
Jesus cautioned His disciples to “count the cost” before beginning a building project (Luke 14:28). Paul reminds us that “whatever a man sows he will reap” (Galatians 6:7). Jesus also used the illustration of a king preparing for war. Before launching a first strike, Jesus counseled, that king better make sure he can finish the job (Luke 14:31).
The general principle that arises from God’s Word seems to be this. Before making an impulsive decision, stop, look, listen, and think. Think about the consequences. Think about where the decision will lead. Think about the future, not just the present. Like Moses, we must be willing to avoid the “passing pleasures of sin” by showing self-control (Hebrews 11:24-25). Making wise, well-studied decisions brings great reward, both here and now and in the coming Kingdom (Hebrews 11:26).
07/22/2021
An astonishing and horrible thing Has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? (Jeremiah 5:30–31)
When I was in high school, I remember watching a short public service video in class one day that warned of the dangers of railroad crossings. After citing several examples of accidents involving trains and vehicles, the narrator pleaded with the audience to, “Stop! Look! And listen!” at railroad crossings. That was some forty years ago, yet I still remember the video. It left an impression.
That motto can be applied to more than just train safety. It serves as a good rule of thumb for making decisions throughout life as well. I recall one time when I was late for an appointment and the traffic was terrible. Impatiently, without giving it much thought, I turned off the main road in hopes of finding an alternate route. Big mistake. This was before the days of cell phones and GPS navigation systems. I soon found myself in the middle of nowhere, and it took me an additional two hours to get back to familiar territory. I missed my meeting entirely.
In Jeremiah, the prophet rebukes the people of Judah for not “looking before they leap,” so to speak. They had not taken the time to consider the ultimate consequence of their actions before giving heed to their craven desires of idolatry and lust. The prophet calls on them to consider the end of their actions. He asks, “What will you do in the end?” (Jeremiah 5:31).
As if stopped at a railroad crossing, he calls on them to stop, look, and listen. And we might add, think. He challenged them to consider the consequences. “Are you sure this is the way you want to behave?” he essentially asks. “What will you do in the end when judgment comes?” This is an important question for all of us to ask from time to time. Can you imagine how many mistakes might be averted and how much heartache could be avoided if we would only stop and consider the consequences?
Jesus cautioned His disciples to “count the cost” before beginning a building project (Luke 14:28). Paul reminds us that “whatever a man sows he will reap” (Galatians 6:7). Jesus also used the illustration of a king preparing for war. Before launching a first strike, Jesus counseled, that king better make sure he can finish the job (Luke 14:31).
The general principle that arises from God’s Word seems to be this. Before making an impulsive decision, stop, look, listen, and think. Think about the consequences. Think about where the decision will lead. Think about the future, not just the present. Like Moses, we must be willing to avoid the “passing pleasures of sin” by showing self-control (Hebrews 11:24-25). Making wise, well-studied decisions brings great reward, both here and now and in the coming Kingdom (Hebrews 11:26).
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