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No matter what you do—if it’s learning leadership or trying to make a decision—it’s easy to blow it. We’ve all made dumb decisions and gotten zapped for it. Every one of us could share a bonehead decision we’ve made.

As I look back on my own foolish decisions, the little phrase "if only" haunts me. If only I hadn’t made that financial decision, if only I hadn’t taken that job, if only I had been more careful, if only I had listened, if only I hadn’t given into the temptation, if only I hadn’t gone into debt or signed the document. What’s happening to us? Why do we make such foolish, naïve, ignorant, stupid decisions? We have perfected the fine art of self-deception.

I can make my bad ideas look like good ones. I can talk myself into wasting time and money. I can sweet talk myself into a wrong relationship or decision. See if any of these statements sound familiar? "I can quit whenever I want. Just one more won’t hurt anyone or anything. I haven’t had a drink in a week." We are pros at irrational excuses. Sadly, our self-deceived bad decisions end up costing us financially, relationally, emotionally and even spiritually. So much so, we get stuck in the quicksand of indecision.

Let’s be honest. We all have made bad decisions that we wish we could undo and un-live. None of us plan to marry the wrong person or make a foolish investment or file for bankruptcy or become an addict or get fired from work. Unfortunately, most of us don’t put any precautions or safeguards in place to ensure a happy ending either. We need a foolproof grid, a filter or standard to live by that will keep us out of those situations that leave us with regret and pain.

Last year, I read a fantastic book by a pastor named Andy Stanley, entitled The Best Question Ever. It’s a question he discovered that has the power to foolproof our decision-making process. His book has become the basis for this series we’re launching. In his own words, Stanley describes what makes this question the best question. "Three things. First, it can be applied to every decision you ever make for the rest of your life. Second, it is an easy question to answer; in most cases you’ll know the answer immediately. Third, it is a question that pierces the fog of self-deception. Bottom line: what makes the Best Question Ever the best question ever is that it is the most helpful question ever."

This best question ever is based on three verses out of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. In the Bible book of Ephesians, Paul writes to frustrated Christ followers who are trying to live the Christian life in a pagan culture—just as we are. He offers them the antidote for avoiding bad decisions. It’s the best question ever.

Paul begins with this warning in Ephesians 5:15, "so be careful how you live…" If you want to live a god-pleasing life, you must be careful--not careless—in the way you live. The word "careful" literally means "to be on the lookout"—be cautious how you do money, dating, relationships, marriage, and careers. Be on the lookout for addictive/destructive behaviors.

Then he lays out for us a new standard or grid for how we can foolproof our choices. Ephesians 5:15 goes on to state, " not as fools but as those who are wise." The best question ever for measuring, judging, evaluating our every decision or opportunity is simply: What is the wise thing for me to do?

Typically, we’re not asking that question. Instead we’re asking the wrong questions—questions culture asks. How far can I go without getting into trouble? How close to immorality can I get without being immoral? How far over the speed limit can I go without being pulled over? How much indulging can I do in some addictive behavior without becoming an addict? How far can I bend the rules without getting caught? I never heard Roger preach on this? It’s okay, isn’t it?

These are the wrong questions to be asking. The questions are not: Is it legal? Is it moral? Is it right? Is it acceptable? Fool proofing our decisions is based on the question: What is the wise thing for me to do? We’re not supposed to live as the unwise or fools, but as the wise.

Just because something isn’t illegal doesn’t make it right for you. Just because the dealership is offering 0% interest for five years doesn’t make it okay for you to buy a new car. Just because the bank will loan you money, doesn’t mean you should buy a house. Consensual sex doesn’t make it right. Just because there is not a "thou shalt not" attached to a situation, doesn’t necessarily make it a "thou shalt." "Thirty days, risk free" could be an invitation to a disaster.

Take a moment and think back to your biggest regret that you wish you could undo or un-live. How different could it have been if you had asked and applied the best, most helpful question ever and run your decision through the lens of wisdom. What is the wise thing for me to do?

The Apostle Paul drives the point further in Ephesians 5:16, "Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days." To live a careful, cautious life means we must not blur the lines or cave in to the message of culture. We don’t live in a morally neutral world—there is a strong undertow that drags us away from wisdom toward evil and self-deception.

As a kid, my family and I would visit my cousins near Galveston, Texas each summer. We’d always venture to the beach for a day of fun. I was amazed at how quickly the undertow would push us down the beach without us even knowing it. In the same way, we live in a morally evil undertow and if we aren’t careful it will suck us into some vice and away from wise decisions. Let me ask you, Does culture ever really get you to where you want to go? These are evil days.

Paul concludes in Ephesians 5:17, "Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do." Don’t be a fool, thinking you are immune to the undertow of an evil world, but instead try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.

The word "understand" doesn’t mean "comprehension." Literally, it means to "face up to" what God’s plan or will is for you. Stop playing games. Stop pretending. Stop your justifying. Stop making up excuses. Stop your rationalizing. Rather, take some time to ask this question, let it penetrate your heart, embrace the answer, and then do the wise thing. It’s time to face the facts about your self-deceptive, foolish hearts and live out God’s wisdom in your attitudes and actions.

When it comes to asking the best question ever, we need to ask it in three different ways because each version gives you a unique perspective on your situation and the decision you need to make. The first way challenges you to ask the question by looking in the rear view mirror. "In light of my past experiences, what is the wise thing for me to do?" Rather than in light of what everyone else is doing, it’s based on the last time you got the invitation, dated, got the credit card application, faced a compromising situation, saw a bargain, was offered free money—Ask: what is the wise thing to do in light of my past circumstances or experiences?

No one has the identical past or history. Therefore, each of us is predisposed to certain weaknesses and strengths relationally, financially, morally, ethically, and professionally. Consequently, what is right and safe for you may not be right and safe for me. That’s why each of us must ask the question in light of our own personal experiences and history. Our past must always be consulted when we’re asking the question.

Secondly, ask the best question in light of your current circumstances. In light of what just happened or in light of where I am currently in my relationships, finances, health, emotions, and walk with God—what is the wise thing for me to do? Life is seasonal. What is appropriate today may be completely inappropriate or unwise a month from now. What is foolish today may be prudent tomorrow.

So in light of my past experiences and my current status, what is the wise thing for me to do? Finally, ask the wise question in light of your future. In light of my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do? Where do you want your finances, dating, marriage, kids, career, health, and relationship with God to be in the future?

Sadly, unwise decisions of the past and present have robbed us of our future. When we make decisions without any thought as to how they will impact our future, we rob ourselves of our preferred hopes and dreams. It’s the future grid that brings today’s choices into proper focus.

For some of you the best question is uncomfortable and threatening because you know the answer, but you feel obligated to defend your cause. When the best question butts heads with your current choices and your chest gets a little tight and your palms get sweaty, you can take action and make a change or rehearse the old worn-out excuses of self-deception.

Are you ready to acknowledge what you know in your heart is true? Are you prepared to ask the best question and follow through? Imagine how your life could be different. Imagine how responding to one commonsense question will take you where you want to go.

Here’s the Heartland Fool Proof Series Challenge—it’s not easy, but will you ask the best question in every area of your life? In light of my past, present and future, what is the wise thing for me to do? Let me close with the key verse of our series. Proverbs 28:26 says, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."

Imagine where your life would be today if you had lived out this verse ten years ago, five years ago, six months ago, or last week? Imagine the hurts and pain and regrets you could have been delivered from? Ask God: Give me the wisdom and the courage to know what is right and the courage to do what’s right even when it’s hard and goes against the undertow of culture.