Best Choices….

Steve Minor, Think August 2012

 

               The Bible makes it clear that we are to make wise, healthy choices as Christians.  Jean-Paul Sarte is credited with saying “We are our choices.”  The family you have today has developed through the choices you’ve made together!

 

               Solomon writes in Proverbs 4:25-27, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.  Ponder the path of your fee; then all your ways will be sure.  Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your food away from evil.”  that kind of life is what I desire for my children to live.  It’s the kind of life that has purpose, direction, and pure actions.  The question we need to ask is, “As a parent, have I given my family the tools they need to make the best choices in this difficult life?”  When we have our values in place, only then can we make the right decisions.  Hopefully the following questions can help your family establish their values and standards when they are faced with life’ difficult choices.

 

1.      What does the Bible say?  His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).  Does my family dig into God’s Word to find the answers of life and seek divine guidance?

               2.  Would my Lord do it?  “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1John 2:6).  The fact is, when we walk, thing, and breathe Jesus, our choices will reflect Him!

               3.  Am I being a good example?  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (Timothy 4:12, ESV).  “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven”  (Matthew 5:14, ESV).  Do my family’s choices encourage others to go to Heaven?

               4.  Would I want everyone to know I did it?  “For nothing is hidden that will not be make manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17, ESV).  We are children of light, and our choices should be open for all to see.

               5.  Could it hurt my body?  “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your own body”  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV).

               6.  Would I want it done to me?  “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them” (Luke 6:31, ESV).

               7.  Is it putting God first?  “But see first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17, ESV).  Is God honored in every area of my family?

               8.  Might it be wrong?  “But test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil”  (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).  If it bothers your conscience, your family might need to take more time to pray about it before doing it.