Godly Choices
Hebrews 12:14 -17
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. (The Message)
Any ungodly act–whether it involves substance abuse, sexual immorality, or “stepping on” coworkers to get ahead–endangers one’s future for the sake of present gratification. Even the unremarkable choices facing us can impact the rest of our lives. So we should guard against the following attitudes, which can lead to sacrificing what is worthwhile for something with no lasting value.
Allowing appetites to rule us–Everyone has inborn needs, such as the desire for food, sleep, and pleasure. While these are natural and God-given, they can become the driving force in our life if we are not careful. Believers should have the spiritual fruit of self-control, which governs these yearnings (Gal. 5:22).
Being blind to what’s truly valuable–The Lord’s priorities are contrary to what the world considers important. Unless we guard our heart (Prov. 4:23), we can easily be lured by pursuits with no lasting worth.
Failing to Consider Consequences–Eve didn’t contemplate what might ultimately happen if she ate the forbidden fruit; she focused solely on the immediate benefit (Gen 3:1-19). Nor did Samson think about repercussions from interactions with Delilah, and he paid dearly (Judg. 16:16-23). How easy it is to make a rash decision because the immediate benefits seem good. The Lord wants us instead to pause, pray, and evaluate the possible outcomes of our actions.
What decisions are you facing? Prayerfully consider what is driving you, and before making choices, think about potential effects of your actions. R1
R1 Taken from In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley/ Crosswalk
