Hillside Assembly of God

Avoiding Dumb Decisions

Ephesians 5:1-17

“The dumbest thing I ever ate was…”

“The dumbest thing I ever said was…”

“The dumbest place I ever went was …”

Four keys from God’s word on how to live with less regret.
#1 Your _________ to other’s ______ needs to follow Christ’s.

“imitators” – is a Greek word from which we get our word- “_________.”

Make smart relationship choices by mimicking Jesus in giving kindness, compassion and forgiveness as our _________ response!

#2 Your moral ________ need to match your __________ with Christ.

The Grk. word “porneia” in “sexual immorality” is where we get our word, ___________.

We all have the same justifying thoughts before we do something dumb in these areas: “This won’t hurt anybody.” “I’ll only do it once.” “I’ll be careful.” “I can handle it.” “I can quit whenever I want.”

We all think we can analyze every temptation and ask these same questions: “Is there anything really wrong with it?”
“How close can I get to the line between right and wrong without actually doing something really wrong?”
That’s followed subtly with, “How far over the line can I go without experiencing any consequences?”

#3 Live as if every ________ was in the _________.

If you knew that there was a big spotlight shining on you every day so everybody could see you, what would you do?

#4 Always ask this question first, “What is the ______ thing for me to do?”

So let’s ask Joseph our 4 questions: Did his response to Mary follow Christ’s formula of kindness, compassion and forgiveness? Did his moral choice (divorce) match his identity as a believer (Mary committed no sin)? Did he live as if his decision would be exposed by the light? Was it the wise thing for him to do?

“Be very careful”- “do not be foolish” “Understand the Lord’s will,” ask, “What is the wise thing for me to do?”

“Because the days are evil” – the enemy knows your ________ and regret knows your ______.