Monday Morning Munch No. 86 – Sowing Wild Oats

I’ll never forget the day this cute guy named John* looked at me and said, “Sophie, you are exactly the kind of girl I want to marry.”

I gasped. I mean, how can you not melt just a bit when someone tells you that?

But John wasn’t finished.

“I’m serious,” he laughed at my gasp. “You’re sweet, love God, serve others, always try to do more to help, you help me with everything I’m going through and you make me laugh.

“You’re exactly the kind of girl I want to marry. But I want to sow my wild oats first.”

Whoa. Um, thanks?

SOWING THE WILD OATS

….also known as the syndrome: OPENLY REBELLING BEFORE CLEANING YOURSELF UP.

And it’s not just John who is infected with this disease. Oh no, it’s worked its ugly talons into many a heart around the world and it’s devastatingly sad.

Why is it sad? I mean, why not taste some of the world before turning to Christ?

Oh, I don’t know, maybe because everything this cheap world offers is fleeting, temporary, unsatisfying and will never fulfill its promises.

Not only that, but we’ll have to answer for every wild oat we sow. And as someone once said, “Be careful when you sow your wild oats, one day you’ll have to reap the harvest.”

Who knew that bit of wisdom was biblical? 

Check it out:

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” -Ecclesiastes 11:9

God’s grace is sufficient to cover our sins, including the wild oats you may have already sown, but that doesn’t mean you’re released of all manner of consequences.

You’re free to choose but not free of the consequences of that choice.

Again, lead—don’t follow—your heart into the truth (Proverbs 23:19).

God’s ways are infinitely more pleasurable and satisfying than any of the wild oats you might be tempted to sow.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -Psalm 16:11

“I have one reason why you should walk away from that temptation right now. One reason: God is better.” – Francis Chan

*name has been changed