IS IT SELF OR OTHERS?

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*IS IT SELF OR OTHERS'?*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 Chron 21:1-4

*And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.*

*And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.*

*And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?*

*Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

In life, we make decisions, but how often are those decisions excusable before God to prevent harm, damage, or death of others?

*Scripture Treasure.*

David instructed Joab to take a census of *".......eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men."*, 2 Sam 24:9.

David did not realize how bad his decision was until after. In 2 Sam 24:10, his heart smote him, but the damage had already been done.

His action brought *".....pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men."*, 2 Sam 24:15.

In life, we must earnestly pray against accidents that often take the lives of unsuspecting victims.

We must pray never to be victims of other people's bad decisions.

We must pray never to be the cause of other people's harm, damage, or death because of our bad decisions.

Though David's actions did not appear intentional but the beginning of 1 Chr 21 and 2 Sam 24 tells us that Satan can use a man against himself, against others, and against his God.

We must always check our self-made decisions and God's will and ensure that we do not impose ours over His.

In life, though some actions are not intended by us but they often result in the death of people who are innocent or are not directly connected to such actions.

Often referred to as 'collateral damage', which is best explained as: innocent lives killed or lost in an accident they knew nothing about.

David took census of his warriors, against the words of Joab, his Chief of Army staff, God was angry, and scores of Israelites died.

The *"......seventy thousand men....."* 2 Sam 24:15 who died were collateral damage to David's action.

It was an unintended or incidental decision but was a fatal damage, especially to his warriors who were not privy or informed or directly related to David's actions.

Another explanation to this is that the consequences of David's action produced a form of damage including deaths that are a result of counting a people who fight wars but the consequences was so fatal that it happened to people who were not in his military formation.

This happens in relationships, too, where we must be careful of our actions.

Breakups, divorces, etc. have unintended or unsuspecting negative consequences or harm that are suffered by other individuals indirectly involved in one of both couples' actions or decisions.

Children of divorcees suffer, family friends and members, friends of couples, even the Church suffers.

Something or someone gets damaged or dies prematurely because of stress stemming from such conflicts or as a result of societal or physical and emotional stigma. This eventual fatality often starts gradually in the short run in the form of breakup or separation and may quickly escalate in the long run never to go away but leaving bereavement.

Always think about the consequences of your actions.

There is no action that does not have a consequence(s), good or bad.

Good ones come with rewards. Bad ones come with consequences.

Your action may look good to you, but it may not be good as you think, Prov 14:12.

It is godly to communicate first. Communication facilitates that you have feelings for others.

Solomon tells us that seeking counsels with others brings safety to you and others.

Solomon says in Prov 14:12 *Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.*

Solomon is saying here that though you may have an idea, it is still a good consideration to consider someone else's or others' opinions.

Do not allow your actions to waste other people's lives or to destroy other people's chances. Do not let their lives be collateral or security to your advantage.

Do not by your self-willed decision pledge the lives of others to secure your unilateral decision.

When other people are negatively impacted by your actions, you have mortgaged their lives and chances. You have used them as a collateral for securing yourself.

Damage to people with clean motives is inevitably destroyed.

Do not be the damage in someone else's life.

Minimize the risk or mitigate, but it is best to avoid the risk of damage to other innocent people.

Do not live your life as if you do not care about others.

Do not live your life as if you are not accountable to someone and God.

Though the consequences of David's decision were unfortunate but incidental and undesired death were caused as a result.

Moreso, God did not consider his decision unintentional. He considered it premeditated, hence the judgment that followed, 1 Chro 21:9-14, 2 Sam 24: 11-14.

Does your decision take others into consideration?

Is it self gain against others' losses?

Is it self or others'?

*Remorse corner.*

Do not allow others to suffer the bad consequences of your actions.

*Call to Word action.*

Your action may be lawful to you, but is it expedient to other people's chances, lives, and properties? Ref: 1 Cor 6:12  *All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Both intended and unintended actions have consequences. Do not allow yours to harm others.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to be considerate in my actions. Let me not mortgage the lives of others or hold other people's lives as collateral that would destroy their chances by any of my actions. Do not let my gain be other people's losses, in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.