Look behind you

Proverbs 29:4 A leader of good judgment gives stability;
an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste. (The Message)

Proverbs 29:4 By justice a king gives a country stability, bot one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.NIV

Will you be able to say that those who came behind you benefited from you? As a parent will your children have stability or a "trail of waste"?

If you want to know the true character of someone then you only have to see the "trail" they have left behind them. Solomon is telling us about Kings who exploit people for their gain or even take bribes. As we know in America, a President is usually shown for what he has done after he has left the White House. It is only after their decisions have been implemented that we suffer or benefit from their leadership. The same is true with our children. What trail will we leave for them to follow? Will they have a trail that forwent good judgement in order to make another dollar? Will they have a trail that determines right or wrong on opinion of the moment? Will they see a trail that tried to take shortcuts that only made the trail longer?

How do we keep from having a trail of waste?

Proverbs 29:5 A flattering neighbor is up to no good;
he's probably planning to take advantage of you. (The Message)

In order for you to have good judgement you have to be careful of those who use persuasive words and flattering speech. Everyone likes to be praised but if you are receiving praise to be influenced in a direction then it is not praise at all. When someone praises you it should be because of what you have done or who you are. If it is any more than that than it is not praise at all.

Proverbs 7:21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.


People will praise you to get you to do what they want. In order for us to not leave a path of destruction behind us we have to be careful that we do not throw away judgement for a manipulative compliment. We can not allow the compliments that come our way to keep us from making wise decisions and causing us to leave a trail of waste. (Read all of Proverbs 7 to see a young man who gave into manipulative praise)

Remember that good judgement will always be seen down the road. The truth will always come out, even though it may take time. If the trail behind you is littered with waste choose today to change and make a difference tomorrow. You can not go back but if you do not change your behavior, then you will continue to leave a "Trail of waste" . Don't make excuses for your past but accept it for what it is, change, and move on.