Reckless and careless

https://odb.org/2024/09/27/reckless-and-careless

Proverbs 14:16 ESV – One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

I had participated as a note-taker in a domestic enquiry last year, where the prosecution amended the charge to contend that something was done in a reckless manner. It adds a layer of complexity to the company’s case against the employee, but it also means that the employee’s offence or wrongdoing is more serious and grave. It is more difficult to prove, but once proven, it facilitates the justification for termination. In contracting, we add the word “reckless” to impose a higher burden on the counter-party to claim for losses. Thus, in order for us to be liable, they not only need to prove that we were negligent but also reckless. It means that we had acted in a fashion that totally disregarded any form of caution as though we had crossed the street without looking at all. In other words, we acted without giving any thought to any possible consequences, and in the corporate world, that’s a rarity indeed.

In the spiritual sense, we are reckless if we do something without thinking how much it could affect us spiritually. A reckless action is not only irresponsible but also rash. So it’s different from not praying much or not reading the Word. It’s like pursuing a non-believer as a life partner, not with the intention to convert him or her, but due primarily to physical attraction. Thus, we didn’t see beyond the immediate and our own carnal desires. We threw caution to the wind, although we know of the possible long-term consequence to our life in Christ. We may leave the faith. Even if we don’t, it will likely be difficult for us to bring up our children in the faith if our spouse is not of faith. Or just a simple act of picking up josssticks to pray to an idol. It is reckless since that act clearly violates the first commandment of the Mosaic law.

Even if we believe we are called by God to do mission work overseas and quit our jobs in response, it is reckless if we don’t consider the consequences and all possible scenarios. It requires faith and boldness to take the step of faith, but it should be done after much prayer seeking God. Not at the spur of the moment but much prayer and planning.

Don’t be reckless and careless in our actions. Always think and consider the possible consequences to our spiritual lives. Will Jesus be overjoyed by our decision and course of action, or will He be sad and disappointed? Did the Holy Spirit prompt us, or are we just following our fleshy desires? Will we still be on the narrow path, or will we now be charting a course on the broad path that leads to destruction? Pray hard before we make rash, reckless, and careless decisions in life!