What can I do to avoid future regrets?

Matthew 7:12“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

When we treat others the way we like to be treated, we avoid future regrets in our relationships.

2 Corinthians 1:12We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings.

1 Timothy 1:19Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

Hebrews 13:18Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.

1 Peter 3:15-17You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

The Bible tells us to listen to our conscience and always do what is right. This will help keep us from sin and its attendant regrets.

Matthew 27:3When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse.

Thinking through the full consequences of our decisions in advance will keep us from making decisions we will later regret.

1 Thessalonians 5:22Stay away from every kind of evil.

If we stay away from the places and people who tempt us to sin, we will have less to regret.

Psalm 1:1-2Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

To avoid future regrets, we should immerse ourselves in Scripture and surround ourselves with people who will give us good advice.

1 Samuel 19:9-10One day when Saul was sitting at home, with spear in hand, the tormenting spirit from the Lord suddenly came upon him again. As David played his harp, Saul hurled his spear at David. But David dodged out of the way, and leaving the spear stuck in the wall, he fled and escaped into the night.

Proverbs 14:29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

We can avoid future regrets by not acting on impulse in the heat of anger. A hasty mistake has lasting effects.

1 Samuel 15:24Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.”

To avoid future regrets, we should let our confidence in the Lord, not our fear of people or events, determine our course of action.

Exodus 23:2-3“You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.”

To avoid future regrets, we should not let our peers pressure us into doing things we know are foolish or sinful.

Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Proverbs 29:11Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

Ephesians 4:29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Colossians 3:8-9Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

James 3:2, 5Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. . . . In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.

To avoid future regrets, we must control our tongue. Our greatest regrets are often caused by foolish words. Once spoken, a harsh word cannot be taken back. And we shouldn’t just avoid hurtful words; we should test our words by asking, “Is what I am about to say truthful? Is it good? Is it helpful?” If it’s possible we might regret what we are about to say, we shouldn’t speak at all.