{"id":7246,"date":"2019-11-13T13:00:06","date_gmt":"2019-11-13T19:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedisciplemaker.org\/?p=7246"},"modified":"2022-03-15T18:16:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-15T18:16:34","slug":"dont-do-something-permanently-foolish-because-you-are-temporarily-tempted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navpress.com\/sites\/thedisciplemaker\/2019\/11\/dont-do-something-permanently-foolish-because-you-are-temporarily-tempted\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Do Something Permanently Foolish Because You Are Temporarily Tempted"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

You have charged us
\nto keep your commandments carefully.
\nOh, that my actions would consistently
\nreflect your decrees!
\nPsalm 119:4-5<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In front of a gas station in Johannesburg, South Africa, sits a chalkboard that offers an insightful daily quote to passersby. Some people even drive out of their way to read the new selection for the day! The truth of one of the quotations made me smile and also made me think: \u201cDon\u2019t do something permanently stupid because you are temporarily upset.\u201d[i]<\/a> Perhaps a more biblical spin on this quotation might read, \u201cDon\u2019t do something permanently foolish because you are temporarily tempted.\u201d
\nProbably no one could testify to the accuracy of that statement more than the renowned prophet Moses. Called by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, Moses had the additional responsibility of leading the Israelites to Canaan, the Promised Land. Twice during this journey Moses was called to provide water for the people. Early in the Exodus, God instructed Moses to \u201c<\/em>strike\u201d the rock in Horeb to bring forth water. He obeyed, and there was water for everyone. Then, after a forty-year penalty for refusing to enter the Promised Land, the congregation was finally ready to cross the Jordan to occupy Canaan, but again there was no water. The congregation gathered to complain and reproach Moses and Aaron for not providing for their needs, especially water.
\nTo supply water this time, God commanded Moses to \u201cspeak\u201d to the rock that stood before the people. But a temporarily irritated and angry Moses disregarded God\u2019s directive and instead of speaking to the rock, he \u201cstruck\u201d the rock. Water gushed forth, but God was not pleased. The Scriptures tell us of God\u2019s displeasure: \u201cBut the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, \u2018Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!\u2019\u201d (Numbers 20:12).
\nMoses was still loved by God, and he did get to see Canaan, but he suffered an unnecessary consequence: He was not able to fulfill his lifelong mission of delivering the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses did something permanently foolish because he was temporarily tempted.<\/p>\n

Exploring the Word<\/h4>\n

Unfaithfulness can have its consequences. In moments of temptation and self-serving, we have the potential of choosing foolishness, but John Owen reminds us that our safety is in constant awareness that we are in a battle. Study these verses for encouragement to remain steadfast.<\/p>\n