Our Life-Map

It is the same with the Word of God. As we study the Bible, it teaches us how to think. It gives us indicators or guidelines. It gives us precepts and principles. Precepts are “Speed limit: 100 kilometers per hour.” Principles are “Drive carefully.” Precepts are like “You shall not murder.” That’s very specific. Principles are like “Love one another.” It gives the reason why we should not murder anyone. So, don’t just look for a verse. You may not see a verse that specifically talks about your situation. But there are principles that apply to your circumstances. For example, you may not find the word “cigarettes” in the Bible. There are no precepts in the Bible about smoking. But, there are principles in the Bible about taking good care of your body. 1 Corinthians 6:12 tell us, “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial.” So, tell me, is cigarette smoking beneficial? The label tells us, “Cigarette smoking is dangerous for your health.” So, why smoke? Since it is not beneficial, it is not permissible. Another example, there are no precepts in the Bible about video games. But, 1 Corinthians 6:12 tell us, “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.” So, if it masters you or controls you, if it eats up your time from other productive activities, then it is not permissible.

So, for example, in choosing a career, the Bible does not tell us which to take. Instead, Ecclesiastes 10:10 tells us, “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.” This is one of the guidelines. “…skill will bring success.” The career that you would choose must fit the skill, the gifts and talents and the personality that God gave you. That’s the way God sharpened you. That’s how you would experience success in your career. A dull ax will take more effort than usual to cut a piece of log. So, also if you are not skilled do a certain task, that task would be harder. Of course, we are to work hard. I am not saying that we look for an easy job. A job will always be hard. But it will be harder when our skill don’t fit the job. We are to work smart, not just work hard.

Another guideline is found in Proverbs 11:14, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.” So, you before you make a decision about which career to take, it would be better to seek as much advice as possible. A career orientation would be a wise move. You can also talk to those who are already in the field you are considering. A counselor can also help you. Most of all, you can ask your parents. Take their advice. That’s how the Bible makes us ready for every good work. We can’t go wrong when we go right.

Let us read again 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” It says here that the Bible “is useful for teaching”. That means that it shows us what is right. Also, the Bible “is useful for… rebuking”. To rebuke is to point out errors. That means it points out what is wrong. So, through the Bible we can distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. Then, the Bible “is useful for… correcting”. To correct is to straighten us up. That means it shows us how to be right. It does not only tell us what is right but it also teaches us how to be right. And then the Bible “is useful for… training in righteousness”. That means it shows us how to remain right, how to finish what we have started. That’s why the New Living translation goes like this: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.” That’s how practical the Word of God is. It shows us what is right and what is wrong, how to become right and how to remain right. We can’t go wrong when we go right.