A Surety Thing

(Proverbs 27:13 KJV)  Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Our actions have consequences.  Here we see that someone will “take” (3947) what the young man had foolishly used to guarantee a loan.  Although this is a concern, I think the bigger concern is the interplay of good and evil involved in this passage. 

Under “actions” we need to include our thought life, our attitudes and motivations.  Sin that condemns us usually does not happen on the spur of the moment.  Those kind of things usually generate the sequence of repent, learn a lesson and move on.  What drags us down are the actions that are taken after weighing the cost and consequences and deciding to take the chance.  After all, who will know?

God will.

So?  God is listening to my thoughts.  That is why Jesus said to hate in our hearts was the same as murder.  I pray that He will cause me to grow in this vital area.