God Allows Us to Make Mistakes

God Allows Us to Make Mistakes Devotional Reading

Why does God allow us to make mistakes that cause devastation in our lives?

From Adam and Eve who desired more than the perfect life gifted by God to Christian believers in 2023, we exhibit more trust in our decisions than in seeking God’s will. Created as free moral agents with the freedom to choose, but quickly forgetting that we were born into sin gives us a natural desire and attraction to fulfill our heart’s carnal desires.

The desire for earthly gratification is innate and produces a pattern of wilful disobedience. By following the worldview of going ahead and doing it, there is little to no resistance to making choices without praying for Divine guidance. Unfortunately, the freedom to choose easily becomes a habit that boosts self-reliance and overconfidence—leading us to sin against God.

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” —Jeremiah 10:23, NIV

We may justify that our small decisions do not require God’s involvement. Yet, the Scriptures indicate that God expects us to pray for direction in every matter in our lives. God is detail-oriented. Every aspect of creation along with the human body and mind is perfect and exudes excellence. God pays attention to every small or great detail in our lives. Without praying for God’s blessings and direction we have placed ourselves outside of God’s plans and will for our lives.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” —Isaiah 55:8

At some point in our lives (the timing being unique to each individual), we experience a period of success that reinforces our belief in our decision-making abilities. During this time, we feel content and self-assured, basking in the positive outcomes of our choices. This self-assurance leads us to congratulate ourselves on our flawless decision-making skills and admire our strategic thinking, which we believe has honed our minds into wise and skilled vessels.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” —Romans 12:2

But our self-willed choices are gift-wrapped in an unknown future that always produces consequences that we never anticipated. And for our exclusion of God’s direction, we will eventually experience disappointment. Why would God allow us to make choices that would bring chaos and devastation?

I recall a spiritual counseling session with a former pastor who explained that God looks at our mistakes on an individualized basis. If we were ignorant [lack of knowledge] when making the wrong choice, God extends His mercy, which usually prevents us from suffering full consequences.

When we have formed the habit of disobedience which results from a heart that is haughty and proud, we begin to view ourselves as wise. It is then that God allows us to suffer the full impact of the punishing consequences of our blatant disobedience. Our thoughts, actions, decisions, and lifestyle reflect our loyalty or disloyalty to God.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” —Galatians 6:7-8

Accountability: to be responsible, (of a person, organization, or institution) required or expected to justify actions or decisions.

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” —Hebrews 4:13

There are many Christian testimonials from brothers and sisters who experienced the life-altering consequences of their disobedience. Without God’s approval, they started the business, accepted the once-in-a-lifetime career offer, purchased the house, or car, or married the person based on their desires. Self-confidence produces self-perceived “human wisdom.”

Remember that bad decisions can change the course of our lives forever. The unholy marriage that ends in divorce, the loss of employment, or foreclosure and repossession have a long-lasting impact spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The healing of emotional wounds requires a long spiritual journey. And most people never recover from lost finances. We do not have to become a statistic suffering from the consequences of self-willed disobedience against God.

If you are already in the group of believers who are suffering from long-term consequences that have altered your life, confess and repent of your sins. God promises to give you restoration. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9.

Never forget King David’s heinous crimes of taking Bathsheba and giving orders for her husband to be placed on the frontline of the battle so he would be killed. Psalm chapter 51 is David’s prayer of repentance. Yes, the consequences included the death of their first child, but our Merciful God anointed their next son, Solomon to become the wisest man to ever live.

Pray the prayer of surrender and obedience. Contrary to Satan’s lies, we have a Loving, Heavenly Father who does not crush us with eternal punishment even when we make intentional mistakes.

Prayer: God, we thank You for creating us with the free will of choice. We confess that we have messed up our lives by making decisions that are outside of Your plans. And for our disobedience, we repent and ask forgiveness. We pray for strength, direction, discernment, and the patience to wait on You to reveal Your plans for our lives. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. —Isaiah 40:28-31

© 2023 Steps2spiritualsolutions and Woman