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How to Make Right Choices By Larry Greider Some of the many decisions we make every day turn out well -- others not so well. What can we do to make better decisions?
ow good are your decision-making skills? Have you ever wondered "What if I had ... ?" -- especially when you didn't achieve the outcome you had expected? Perhaps you never realized that the Bible is a book about making wise decisions. Not only that, it's filled with examples of good and bad decisions and their outcomes. It shows that good decisions based on right principles lead to good results. If you make emotional decisions based on anger, lust and selfishness, you should expect poor results. The Bible reveals a principle that applies in many areas of life: You reap whatever you sow (Galatians 6:7). Sometimes this direct correlation isn't obvious; but as we grow older, the results of our decisions becomes clearer. If you look at the Bible as a textbook on making decision, you'll find many helpful hints. If you want to make right choices, you can save yourself a lot of trouble if you take a closer look at the examples recorded for us in God's Word. The first child makes a bad decision The first child, Cain, born to the first parents, made selfish decisions that led to a painful life. Cain's decisions led to his status as the first murderer; he killed his own brother and was banished from his home. How did Cain's life turn so tragic? "... He [God] did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it" (Genesis 4:5-7, emphasis added throughout).
"And He [God] said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.' And Cain said to the LORD, 'My punishment is greater than I can bear!'"(verses 10-13). Cain chose poorly and reaped a life of curses and misery. A blundering king Another illustration of choices and their far-reaching implications is to be found in the life of the first king of Israel, Saul. Saul was confronted with a dilemma when the warring Philistines threatened the nation of Israel. Saul felt pressured to act. The responsibility of leadership weighed heavily on his shoulders. What should he do? He knew he should consult with the prophet Samuel. But, when Samuel did not arrive after seven days (which was when Saul expected him), Saul made a rash decision. He decided to present an offering to God himself, something he wasn't entitled to do.
Samuel responded: "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue ... because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you" (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Saul forfeited his kingship, lapsed into depression, turned to a fortune-teller for help, attempted murder and in the end took his own life. His decisions cost him dearly. Are these examples relevant to us today? Perhaps they seem remote and out of context in our modern world. However, we should keep in mind that the principles still apply. Don't forget that we exist for a purpose. God created us with the potential to one day be a part of His family. Learning to make wise decisions based on God's instructions is one of the primary lessons everyone needs to learn. God tells us not to rely on our "own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death," He tells us (Proverbs 14:12). How, then, do we learn to make wise decisions? Keys to right decisions
When we daily make wise decisions, stemming from a desire to live up to our potential, we make life less pressured and more rewarding. Paul encourages us to maintain this right perspective so that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). Cause and effect Centuries ago God inspired Moses to present to the children of Israel the same choices we must face. Moses directed the congregation of the Israelites to assemble to hear and understand that their choice to obey God -- to do His commandments -- would lead to life. On the other hand, choosing not to obey would lead to death. "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19). May you choose wisely! Copyright 2003 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: decisions choices Cain and Abel Saul
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