Rashness

Acting without careful consideration of the possible consequences or risks.

Examples of rashness

Genesis 34:25–31 Jacob's sons; Exodus 2:11–12; Acts 7:24–25; Numbers 20:8–12; Psalm 106:32; Joshua 8:14–17 the king of Ai; Judges 11:30–31 Jephthah; 1 Samuel 14:24 King Saul; 2 Samuel 6:6 Uzzah; 2 Samuel 12:18 fear for King David; 1 Kings 1:5 King Adonijah; 2 Kings 5:20–21 Gehazi; 2 Kings 10:16 Jehu; 2 Chronicles 26:16–20 King Uzziah; 2 Chronicles 35:21–22 King Josiah; Habakkuk 1:6 the Babylonians; Matthew 8:19–20 a would-be disciple; Matthew 14:6–10 parallel Mark 6:26 King Herod; Matthew 26:33–34; John 18:10; Acts 19:36 the Ephesian crowd; Galatians 1:6 the Galatian Christians; 2 Timothy 3:2–4 a characteristic of the last days

Warnings against rashness

Proverbs 14:16; Ecclesiastes 5:2 See also Proverbs 6:16–18, Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 13:3, Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 20:25, Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 25:8, Proverbs 29:20; Ecclesiastes 7:9, Ecclesiastes 8:3; Isaiah 52:12; Zephaniah 3:7; Acts 19:35–36; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 Timothy 3:1–5

A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

Antidotes to rashness

Trust in the guiding presence of the Lord

Isaiah 52:12

For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.

Appreciating the importance of considered actions

James 1:19 See also Luke 14:28–33

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,