The Conclusion

Go ahead, if you must

God directly addresses Ecclesiastes 11:9 to young people; all others ignore it at no less peril. So whether you are young, younger, or older, listen up! If you feel you must "walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes," go ahead (Ecclesiastes 11:9). You are, after all, a free moral agent, endowed by the Creator Himself with the absolute freedom of choice. Live as you want, do as you wish, sow all the wild oats you care to -- it is your life to invest or waste as you choose.

You must have in mind clearly, though, that God's free rein by no means constitutes His blanket endorsement. Don't ever forget that along with your freedom of choice goes God's right to judge. And make no mistake -- God will most definitely judge. Remember the end of the verse which I partially quoted above: "But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Just in case you need further New Testament confirmation of this, here you have it:

"But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds" (Romans 2:5,6).

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Galatians 6:7,8).

But there is a better way

I know that seeds always reproduce after their kind. I think that is a very useful natural law that God has established. And when I plan and plant a garden, I take advantage of that law. But I don't do so by deliberately planting thorns, thistles, and various weeds (of which there exist ample choices). Absolutely not!

Then why do we humans so frequently insist on planting the wrong seeds in the moral and spiritual senses? The law of reproduction is as true in the spiritual and moral realms as it is in the natural realm. Yet so many waste that law's opportunities by sowing to the flesh instead of to the Spirit. Make the best choice instead! "Remember now thy Creator" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Keep Him in mind as you plant; let Him guide you.

And find fulfillment