Some say that experience is our greatest teacher. And its true that when we make mistakes, and they come with far-reaching effects, we realize very quickly how wrong the choice was that we made. But we can’t go back and change what we did. All of the choices in our lives are one-way streets, and once we figure out that we have been heading down a particular road, it’s too late to undo what has been done. We have to live with the consequences. Illustration: Two stories of men who share how their adultery cost them everything they hold dear. […]

Some choices in life will result in loss no matter which way you look at it. Certain things may appear to offer adventure, excitement, and discovery, but hidden beneath the surface is a world of destruction and suffering. Marriage brings many trials and challenges to life, and some might think that the grass is greener elsewhere. But that is a dangerous thought. The temptation to be unfaithful carries with it an untold amount of hurt and pain. And in the end, it will become a regret that you can never take back. Illustration: Francisco Huizar, who was sued by Keith […]

You can never be too cautious so as to recognize when someone might be trying to seduce you. People can say all kinds of nice things about you and tell you how great they think you are, but if they are trying to manipulate you, watch out! The power of seduction is a deadly venom that if foolishly swallowed will lead to one’s peril and demise. We must guard ourselves against “dangerous” people who would seduce us and have us join them on their journey toward destruction. Illustration: Joseph and the seductive attempts of Potiphar’s wife in Egypt (Gen. 39:1-20) […]

Few things are more deceptive than the promise of pleasure that lust brings. While there might be pleasure for a brief time, inevitably it ends with pain and suffering. Adultery is one of those deceptions. Few people who commit adultery truly understand the far-reaching implications and consequences of their actions. Only after they have sinned do they begin to realize just how destructive adultery can be to their life—and no one is immune to its effects. Illustrations: Jonathan Amerault, who had an affair with the wife of Armando Barron. In a fit of rage on account of Amerault committing adultery […]

Yahweh God created us to experience deep emotions. But not all emotions are created equal. Some are more difficult to deal with than others. Anger and other agitated emotions can quickly lead us into different ways of thinking and acting. And when that happens, we may say and do things that we later regret. We need to be cautious about our emotions and control them, or they will control us. Illustrations: 1) Kanye West interruption during Taylor Swift’s best female video award at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony. 2) Tom Brady’s careful response to the press after Tampa […]

Being “shrewd” or “clever” may not be a characteristic that many seek to grow in. But that is what it means to be “prudent.” We can develop our ability to look ahead and understand where things lead. Contrarily, a person could be content just following their own ideas and desires, and in the end, be misled and deceived. The great deception begins with our own—to be deceived is to deceive. Illustration: Sergei Anatolyevitch Torop (“Vissarion”), Russian cult leader of “Church of the Last Testament,” who professes to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and has a large following living with […]

A person might think that they can enjoy some benefit or personal gain through dishonest means as long as they don’t get caught. The problem is what might seem good in the moment will eventually sting in the end. Wrongdoing can taste “sweet” at first because of the immediate gratification it offers, but the bitter pain of its consequences will eventually find you, either now or in the future. Illustration: Jeffrey Skilling, CEO of Enron, who implemented fraudulent accounting practices to deceive shareholders and investors. Verses: Prov. 20:17; 24:12 Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

Children watch the behavior and life patterns of their parents and innately model their life after them. If the teaching of the parents is godly and their lives exhibit wisdom, their children will see that and learn how to live with wisdom in their life as well. But parents also must explicitly teach their children about wisdom in hopes that the children listen to and hold onto their words. Illustration: The example of the obedience of the Rechabites to the commandments of their ancestor Jonadab. Verses: Prov. 4:1-4; 9:10; Jer. 35:1-17 Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

We all need money to live. With the ever-increasing cost of living and the invention of so many new things to make life better, getting rich can sound like a good plan to solve that problem and acquire everything we want. But wealth is deceptive in that it is inherently unstable. One day we can have it, and the next day it vanishes. Illustration: Sean Russell’s disastrous 2017 investment in bitcoin. Verses: Prov. 23:4-5 Teacher: Jerry Wierwille