Virture is a universally appreciated trait.
For the virtuous person is one governed by redeeming principles that produce good in the lives of others, not by coercion but instead by character.
King Solomon, a man whose early reign was characterized by virtue, provides in Proverbs 21:29 a means for measuring virtue.
“The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.”
Sadly, Solomon gradually discarded virture from his life because of non-virtuous choices to marry idolatrous women from other nations. You see, he didn’t think about the consequences of rejecting God’s command against marrying foreign, non-Herbrew wives whose charms would lead his heart into rampant compromise and corruption.
Disaster ensued in Israel as a result, with the negative consequences still in place 3,000 years later.
Let’s apply the wisdom of Proverbs 21:29, even though Solomon dropped the ball with this one.
I’m sure we’ve all dropped the ball on occasion by acting before we thought a decision through.
It’s SO much better to think before acting.
You’ve heard the silly phrase — and perhaps lived it out — “Ready! Fire! Aim!”
Let’s aim before we fire.
Let’s think before we act.
Let’s consider first what would honor God and help others.
It’s the virtuous thing to do.
As always, I love you
Martin
