What have you done?

Scripture reference: Genesis 3:13

Introduction
What have you done? is usually a rhetorical question that does not need an answer. When God asks that, He already knows what you have done.

The implications of this question
i. You have done a wrong thing (sin)
ii. You are caught/what you’ve done is already known
iii. There are consequences

Adam and Eve
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God in Gen 3:13 asked Eve, what have you done? God already knew what they had done and He was only pointing out their sin to them. Much as they tried to push it on the other, they each received the consequences for their actions:
The serpent (Gen 3:14-15); The serpent was cursed above all animals and God put enmity between the serpent and Woman and between their offspring. Jesus crushed the head of the serpent on the cross
Eve (Gen 3:16); For Eve God greatly increased the pain of her childbirth. Also, her desire would be to control her husband but she would not be able to do so.
Adam (Gen 3:17); For Adam God cursed the ground for him. He would struggle to make a living from it. Thorns that prick would also grow from the ground.

Decisions have consequences
It is said that a man makes 55,000 decisions in a day! For women it can only be more. From the many decisions that we make every day, there is a possibility of making wrong decisions.
“If a person is taller than you, do not cut off their legs to become equal, rather grow up”- Seirra leone proverb. We cannot cut the legs of our leaders for us to be equal to them, we need to grow up instead.

Other Biblical examples of wrong decisions and their consequences
Hebrews 4:13 says that nothing is hidden from God. No sin is hidden from God. When He asks you what you have done, He already knows it too well.
Saul (1Sam 13:9-13); Saul was convicted by not keeping the commandment of the Lord. He was rebuked of doing a foolish thing. As a consequence, he lost the kingdom which would have been established for him forever had he obeyed.
Cain (Gen 4:10-12); Cain offered an unacceptable offering to God. Instead of repenting and offering the kind of offering that would be accepted by God, He envied and killed his brother Abel whose sacrifice was accepted by God. Cain was cursed for killing his brother.
Cain negotiated his case with God and God put a mark on him that no one would kill him. God is gracious and powerful enough to redeem us when we have made wrong decisions but the consequences will still be there.
Samson; Samson decided not to listen to his parents. Later he lost his hair and eyes. In Judges 16, he prayed for strength just one more time that he may avenge himself and die with the Philistines. Let us not take paths that will lead us to death.

Questions to consider before you make a decision
1) Have I considered the possible outcome for my actions?
2) Could this decision jeopardize my integrity or hinder my witness to the Lord?
3) Is there a better option that will allow me make a greater impact in God’s kingdom?
4) What biblical principles are guiding my decision?
Proverbs 25:26, do not give in to the wicked
2 Cor 6:14-18, do not team up with unbelievers
1 Peter 2:9-12, We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, God’s own special people

Conclusion
We are responsible for our actions no matter the circumstances surrounding us. If you ask yourself, what am I about to do? you can avoid the question what have you done?