There are a number of applications of this, even to those who know the Lord. Sometimes, people get themselves tied to certain opinions which are not biblically right, theological opinions, ways of looking at life. If they only took time to think about it, they would see it is not Scriptural, that it is not the way they should be going, or the way they should be thinking. Why do they cling on to this idea which is no good to them, which is out of line with the Bible and will probably do them some harm in their Christian life? Possibly because they spoke out too early instead of thinking about it. It often happens to us. We can all fall to this. Early in thinking about things, we may become rather opinionated. ‘Well my opinion is so and so’, and we take a position and we argue vehemently with our friends, and then we cannot really abandon our opinion very easily. We become fixed to it. Why, to give up our opinion is almost a matter of pride, so we have got to cling on to it. And there it remains like a scar, a wound in our Christian lives; it is such a shame. The result is that good people, who given time would think this through from Scripture and probably come to quite different conclusions, are stuck with a dud opinion. Watch your lips. Do not become absolutely determined to champion a particular cause, when you have not even thought about it.
Another application, it may be that we as Christians can take a wrong turning. You can make some great decision, and you never really thought about it prayerfully, and you never sought the guidance of God to give you light on the biblical principles surrounding this matter. You rushed on and you took a decision, and you made a significant purchase. And now it is a millstone around your neck. Well, if possible, while there is time, get out of it, be big enough to get out of it, and back down, and say, I did not subject this to any biblical or spiritual consideration, or thought. I just did it, and I can see it is wrong, and I am going to get out of it.
Some may come and say, ‘I have made a purchase and it was not sinful in itself, but I can see I did it selfishly and wastefully, and unnecessarily, and I do not need it, and I should not have it; it is inappropriate, should I get rid of it?’ And quite often, it is clear that that is really what they want to do, and that is right, and we will say, ‘Yes, I think you should get rid of it. It is not the worst thing in the world, and it is not a moral sin, but you are right, you did not think about it, and get rid of it before the Lord.’