Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 

Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 

I've been cleaning our swimming pool for 38 years, so I know a little bit about what happens if you don't keep it clean and maintained with proper chemicals. It doesn't really take that much effort to keep it clean compared to the effort and expense it takes to clean it once it turns green with algae. Those experiences help me stay on top of it.

Proverbs 22:3 teaches us that if we are prudent, we will see the consequences of our actions and make necessary changes. The foolish man doesn't plan or think ahead and makes life hard for himself.

We have a principle that we study sometimes on Friday nights that we got from the RU program: "It's easier to keep the heart clean than it is to clean it after it has been defiled."

• It is easier to walk with God than to not. It is easier to develop a devotional life than not. It is easier to go to all of the church services than not. Your life will be better if you love God with all your heart and want to please Him. Christians who try to take shortcuts find themselves walking in poison oak. The Christian life might not be easy, but it is 'easier than.'
• It's easier to not defile our hearts with lusts, anger, bitterness, envy, pride, etc., than to uproot them once they have developed roots in our soul.
• It's easier not drink than to try to stop drinking and to fix all the health issues and personal problems drinking caused.
• It is easier to never smoke cigarettes or marijuana than to repair the damage they do to body and brain.
• It is easier to never gamble than to continue to try to fix the money problems caused by gambling. I just read a news article that 20% of adults in Arizona are struggling because of gambling.
• It is easier to never get involved with pornography than it is to try to stop.
• It is easier to keep yourself pure sexually than to clean up the mess fornication and adultery leaves behind.
• It is easier to walk with God with a clean heart than to try to clean a hardened-in-sin heart. God forgives a repentant sinner immediately, but the consequences for previous behavior must still be faced. God is a merciful God and He will give us the strength and power we need to overcome. Health problems, relationship problems, financial problems, etc. don't just go away. We have to deal with them in a new manner as Christian walking with God. Let's keep short accounts with God.

Ron Cox - Director of HOPE Ministry