WHEN MAKING DECISIONS
Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.
Genesis 13:12
Decisions. We all make them every day. From what to have for lunch to possibly moving to a new city and a new job, we are confronted with decision making on a regular basis. So … how well do you do when making decisions? Do you know how to make them God’s way?
Are you familiar with Lot? He was Abraham’s nephew and a believer in Yahweh God. But, like so many believers today, Lot was worldly. He was a guy who thought he could have his cake and eat it, too. He was given the choice regarding where to live, and he made the decision to pitch his tents toward Sodom.
At the time, it didn’t seem like that big or bad of a decision. Financially, it made good sense. His flocks and herds would get full and fat on all the lush grass in the area around Sodom. The spiritual side of the decision was another story, however. And that side proved monumentally devastating. Moving toward Sodom was a decision that wrecked and ruined his life, his wife, and his family. Sodom and Gomorrah were such wicked cities that the fire of God eventually fell and consumed them in everlasting judgment (see Genesis 19).
DECISION MAKING 101
I want you to consider Lot’s terrible choice for a moment and ask yourself these three important questions when you make choices:
1. Where does this choice lead? What is the potential end result? An unequally yoked marriage? An unwanted pregnancy? A sexually transmitted disease? A drug/alcohol addiction? For Lot, moving toward Sodom was a big step in the wrong direction. Getting close to Sodom was akin to a recovering alcoholic moving next door to a liquor store. Not a good move if you want to stay sober.
2. Will this choice help me grow and glorify God? Lot’s new friends were Sodomites, people the Bible describes as “wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.” As you look at the friends you have chosen for yourself, are these people picking you up or are they pulling you down? As a pastor, I have seen good, godly people derail and crash spiritually. The reason? They chose friends who were a bad influence. The Bible says, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20). Choose your inner circle of friends to be those who walk in the light with the Lord.
3. What does this choice say about my heart and character? What did Lot’s choice say about Lot? Although he was a believer, his heart was not right toward God. He was focused on sin and self, gold and greed. He wasn’t seeking first the Kingdom of God … and it became obvious as his life unfolded. I pray often, “Change my heart, O God. I am prone to wander. Help me Lord to love You and Your will and ways supremely.”
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
