Choices (4)

Making Right Choices

As we come to the end of this series on choices, I will share some practical steps that help us make the right choices in different situations or circumstances that we face as believers in Christ.

1. Choose to follow explicit commands of Scripture: There are many direct instructions in the Word of God concerning many issues or matters that we face in life. We can always be sure that when we make choices in obedience to such direct commands of God’s word concerning anything, then those choices are the right choices. For instance, God’s word is explicit in instructing believers on the issue of forgiveness (see Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13) so we should know the right choice when we have any grievance against anyone is the choice to forgive.

2. Choose to follow clear promptings by the Holy Spirit: Not all of our choices can be made based on direct Scriptural instructions since the Scriptures do not address every detail of our lives. However, believers in Christ have been introduced to a living dynamic relationship with the Holy Spirit and we are guided by Him (1^st Corinthians 6:17, Romans 8:14-16). We read instances in the book of Acts where believers in Christ were directed clearly by the Holy Spirit as they made some particular choices (Acts 13:1-3, Acts 16:6-10). We need to always remain sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to obey His voice when we clearly sense His directives as we make choices in life.

3. Choose to follow principles from the Word of God: Quite a number of times in our lives we face some decisions and yet there are no explicit commands in the Scriptures or clear directives of the Holy Spirit in those particular instances or situations. I have learnt to follow some principles from God’s word to guide me in making choices in such situations. Some of these principles include the following:

·         Consider the eternal over the temporary, or long term over short term benefits: Esau only looked at the short term benefit of instant gratification of his hunger like we saw last week but Moses did not look only at temporary benefits (see also 2nd Corinthians  4:17, 18)

·         Consider spiritual benefit/profit/advantage: As we make choices we need to consider this crucial principle. Will this choice edify me as a believer? Will it build me up? Or will it slow me down in my walk with God? ( see 1^st Corinthians 6:12, 1^st Corinthians 9:27, 1^st Corinthians 10:23 and 1^st Corinthians 14:26) We can decide rightly on many of our choices in life using this principle from God’s word.

·         Consider whether it will glorify God: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory” (1^st Corinthians 10:31). Sometimes when we make choices, we ought to consider whether those choices will bring glory to God in any way. This helps us avoid many wrong turns along our paths in life.

4. Choose to approach the right people for advice: Last week, we looked at bad advice as one of the factors that could influence us to make wrong choices. In contrast to such bad influence of ungodly advice, God in His grace has placed different people in our lives whose advice become valuable when we are at some crossroads in life (see Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22, Proverbs 20:18). So I encourage you to seek godly advice from the people God has positioned in your life for such times. I have benefited immensely from many such people over the course of my life.

 

5. Choose to pray: The last practical step I will discuss in regard to making choices is prayer. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b NIV). We are encouraged to ask for wisdom with an assurance that we will receive from God (James 1:5) but even aside this, prayer helps us to deal with many of the factors that influence us to make wrong choices. Sometimes our prayers do not necessarily change our situations or circumstances but actually we ourselves experience huge transformation in the place of prayer. As our Lord faced the most difficult period of His earthly life in He felt so much agony, He chose to pray and He was strengthened as He prayed (see Luke 22:41-45). Prayer produces an inner calmness and unblended tranquility in our hearts even in the midst of external pressures and extreme emotional turmoil (Philippians 4: 6, 7). So in times of pressure or difficulty, confusion or anxiety about choices, we can always pray to our Father. 


Watch out for the next series on Effervescing Thoughts titled "Who Are You?". It focuses on recognizing our true identity as believers in Christ Jesus.