Before you engage in an activity, do you consider the consequences? Or do you just plunge right ahead—“leaping before you look”?

All actions carry consequences, good or bad. You may have heard this spoken of as “cause and effect.” Do you know that this is a law, just as sure as gravity? Proverbs 26:2 states, “The curse causeless shall not come.” In other words, there is a cause for every effect.

For example, if you do not study, you will fail your exams or score poorly. If you do not get enough sleep, you will be tired the next day. If you do not eat properly, you will eventually become sick. If you do not practice, you will not make the sports team. For every effect, there is an underlying cause.

There are many situations in which this ever-present law comes into play. Based on the decisions you make, it can either work for your benefit or to your detriment. This unseen law can build you up—or bring you down.

Obviously, we all want to lead happy, successful lives. We all want to avoid making mistakes that could lead to ruin.

You can learn to use the law of cause and effect to your benefit!

The Hard Way or the Better Way

There are two ways from which we can learn to avoid trouble. The first is by actual experience. Frequently, this involves unknowingly doing the wrong thing, and then through painful experiences learning it is not the right thing to do. You may have heard your parents call it “learning the hard way,” or “learning through the school of hard knocks.”

Perhaps as a child you burned your hand after being warned not to touch the stove. Or you were scratched by a cat or bitten by a dog for pulling its tail. At some point, you probably had to learn the hard way.

There is a better way to learn: from the experiences of others, especially adults. You should regularly seek advice and learn from your parents, aunts, uncles, teachers and other respected and responsible adults. Many mistakes can be avoided if you listen to those with wisdom and experience.

Of course, you can also learn by reading about the lives of others. Valuable lessons are contained in books written about famous people.

There is another place where you can get advice. The Bible contains many stories written for our learning (Rom. 15:4). There is an abundance of sound advice given by individuals. One such person is a king who lived over 2,500 years ago.

Wise King

King Solomon was famous for his wisdom. In fact, he was the wisest human being who had ever lived until Jesus Christ (I Kgs. 3:12). He was so wise that many kings and other prominent people from around the world came to hear his wisdom. One such person was the Queen of Sheba. Skeptical about his famous reputation for wisdom, she came to test him with difficult questions. But after hearing his answers and seeing his wise administration, and the beauty and orderliness of his palace, she believed (I Kgs. 10).

Although he was wise, Solomon made mistakes. For instance, he disobeyed God and married women of other religions despite knowing it was wrong. These women turned his heart away from God and from His blessings (11:1-12).

Solomon learned many lessons in his life, and as a result became wiser. He was also granted wisdom by God (4:29). This wisdom—which can greatly benefit you—is primarily recorded in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. While his advice is valuable for people of all ages, much of it is specifically directed to young people.

Obey Your Parents

Most teens today do not listen to their parents. Parents are considered old-fashioned and out of touch with reality. Many today believe their parents do not understand them or the issues they face. As a result, disobeying parents is common throughout society.

Are you tempted to disobey your parents? To disrespect them? Heed Solomon’s advice: “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother” (Prov. 1:8).

Your parents have much more wisdom and experience than you. They can guide you in the right direction and help you avoid harmful mistakes.

Spend time with your parents. Seek their advice. You might be surprised by how much they know. Notice what Solomon said: “The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9).

Your parents have experienced or been confronted with many of the same things as you. They have also seen similar problems in society: drugs, gangs, alcohol abuse, bullies, violence, depression, trendy styles, stress, consequences of premarital sex, problem relationships, broken friendships, etc. Make sure you seek their advice.

Keep Good Company

Are you tempted to hang out with a crowd that has a reputation for getting into trouble, violence, bullying, constantly swearing, not studying, listening to offensive music, constantly tinkering with their cellphones, dressing in provocative clothes, partying or getting drunk?

Do you consider them role models? If you want to lead a successful life, then avoid bad company—or else it will corrupt you. It will influence you into bad habits and doing things that are contrary to God’s Way.

This scripture says it well, “Be not deceived: evil communications [companionship] corrupt good manners” (I Cor. 15:33). Associating with bad company will eventually lead to destructive habits and possibly a bad reputation. Just as dead flies can spoil expensive ointment, one mistake can ruin your reputation (Ecc. 10:1).

Avoid Quarrels

Do you become angry easily? Are you quick to get involved in quarrels? Do you take pride in your temper? Are you tempted to “lose it” when provoked by others, when you do not get what you want, or when someone tells you something you do not want to hear?

Quarreling is not a sign of strength, but weakness. Being temperamental is a sign of a lack of character: “He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Prov. 25:28).

When you fly into a rage, you become defenseless. You start reacting without thinking. This allows others to manipulate you, and therefore control you. They know what sets you off. As the saying goes, they can now push your buttons. Lashing out can result in a heap of problems with others—and even with men’s laws.

By contrast, maintaining a calm head helps you to think through whatever situation you are facing. It helps you to consider potential solutions and choose the best one: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city” (Prov. 16:32). Staying calm keeps you from doing things you will later regret.

Another way to avoid quarrels is to not stir up strife with your tongue. Whenever you are provoked by others, remember the following rule: “A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1). Raising your voice, shouting or uttering biting, sarcastic comments only serves to provoke or intensify arguments or disagreements.

Stay Away from Violence

Today violence is promoted in television shows, music videos, magazines, video games, and on the Internet.

Violence is often thought of as something good. It is seen as a sign of strength. It is popular for teenagers to see themselves as “bad.” By this, they mean they will respond violently with overwhelming force if anyone “messes with them” or “disrespects” them.

What if your peers ask you to perform violent deeds with them? How should you react? “My son, if sinners entice you, consent you not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily [secretly] for the innocent without cause…My son, walk not you in the way with them; refrain your foot from their path” (Prov. 1:10-11, 15).

Involvement in violent acts will quickly get you into trouble. It may even cost your life.

You should also be careful of becoming friends with angry people. Their attitudes will eventually infect you and you will become just like them (22:24-25).

Work Ethic

In school, are you working diligently at your studies? Do you complete your homework in a timely manner? Or do your parents have to continually push you?

What about when your parents ask you to perform chores around the house? Do you work hard to do the best job possible? Or do you just do things as quickly as you can in a slip-shod fashion so you can get back to what you really want to do? Do your parents consider you to be a hard worker?

If you want to succeed in life, you must learn the value of hard work: “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute” (Prov. 12:24). Whatever you do, give it your all (Ecc. 9:10). Do not perform a task halfheartedly.

Lazy people eventually have little, or even nothing. This is their “reward” for their lack of effort (Prov. 13:4). Do not let this happen to you. Do not allow yourself to be a slacker!

Solomon was a great observer of nature, from which he learned many lessons. Next time you see a colony of ants, notice how hard they work and learn from their examples (6:6-11).

Do not wait for your parents or others to ask you to perform certain tasks. Take initiative, be proactive, and work hard to accomplish a job. Others will notice your attitude and you will eventually be recognized.

Notice: “See you a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [unknown] men” (22:29).

Hard work leads to success.

Fear God

There is much wisdom from King Solomon in the Bible, wisdom that will greatly benefit you. Do you want to become successful? Then take time to study the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and apply their principles. If you do, you will be well on your way to success and keep yourself from much heartache and suffering.

The greatest piece of advice given by Solomon is found in the final chapter of Ecclesiastes: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (12:13). This is the key to success. Do what God says and see the benefits in your life.

Learn from the wisdom of Solomon.