Who loves to hear the words, “do not?” No one does! When we were kids, many of us did not like to hear the words “do not” spoken from anyone, anywhere, with any authority.
There is something about those two words that makes kids want to do the opposite. In fact, it makes adults want to do the same. It says in Proverbs 1:15-16, “My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.” There are those words again!
You may be thinking, “I would never be sucked into something that would be against God’s word.” I get that. We all have good intentions. But let’s get real. The Bible makes it very clear that all of us sin and we are all capable of doing the opposite of what He wants us to do.
So what do we do?
First, we need to decide if God’s word holds authority in our lives. If we believe the Bible is inspired by God, which I do, decision making becomes much simpler. Whatever God’s word says on the subject, I do.
Second, we are to stay right with God’s word in the midst of the decision, even if things become difficult (which, by the way, they will). I have made financial decisions not to go in debt that were in total contradiction to popular belief because God’s word says not to go into debt. Thank God I followed His word on that subject.
Third, we are to think through our decisions and not act hastily and emotionally. We know what God’s word says about business practices, dating practices, and money decisions before we are in the heat of the moment. If we already have made the decision to follow God’s ways of doing things, then it is much easier to fight off the temptation to do otherwise.
So what is it that you are confronted with? Have you already made the decision based off of God’s word or not? Do you know what God’s word says about money, relationships, sex, etc.? If not, now is the time to look for the answers and make the decision. Not when it is right smack in front of your face. I don’t know about you, but I have never made a good decision in the heat of the moment, if you know what I mean.
David Towner is the author of Today Is My Favorite Day and the Pastor of The Harbor Church in Odessa, FL. He has three daughters, Shana, Kari, and Rebekah and four grandsons, Caleb, Cohen, Cade, and Jack.