How important is it as Christians that we make the right decisions in our lives? And also, how do we even know what is the right decision to make versus the wrong decision? Once we have figured out what is the right decision to make, then who and what do we look towards in order to make that right decision?

“Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” 1 Kings 18:21. Isn’t that interesting that question that Elijah poses to the nation of Israel, how long halt ye between two opinions? How many people today are also stuck between two different masters, two different lifestyles, and ultimately two different decisions?

Many Christians go to church one day of the week and have an excellent outward appearance of godliness, much as the Pharisees in Jesus’ time did; but then for the rest of the week their heart is filled with corruption, wickedness, and all manner of evil. They believe that serving God half heartedly and when it is convenient for them will make them worthy of His kingdom, but how sadly mistaken they are. They believe it is enough to serve and honour God one day of the week and then the rest of the week they satisfy the desires of their own selfish heart.

And how many young people have we seen in this church who have been brought up to respect and honour God and to know the truth, but throughout their youth they have an obsession and an infatuation with sin and the pleasures of this world? They never openly deny God, and in fact they may still attend church regularly and say they believe in God and want to be saved. However their actions speak so much louder than their words and their actions show that their heart is far from God and they have very little desire to serve Him with all their heart. So these young people and older ones as well who have a form of Godliness but never truly come to the foot of the cross and surrender all to Jesus, who are they actually serving? Are they serving God or are they serving Satan, the founder of all evil?

To answer the question, we read in Matthew chapter 6:24. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” From this verse it is quite clear that if you serve God then you will end up hating Satan and everything that he stands for, including all the pleasures of the world, no matter how much you may have once loved them. And if you love Satan and the pleasures of sin, then eventually, despite your efforts to keep up a good appearance of holiness through regular church attendance and tithe paying, etc. you will end up hating God and all the principles and morals that He stands for. According to the Bible it is humanly impossible to be serving and honouring both God and the prince of darkness at the same time.

But one important thing to remember is that God expects us to give Him our whole heart, soul and being. So therefore if we are serving God with 95% of our heart but there is 5% of our heart which is holding on to sin, are we actually serving God? The answer is a sure and most definite NO! So that means even if there is one little sin we are holding on to and just love too much to give up, then ultimately all the power of the gospel is lost upon us and we have made our decision for sin and Satan. So it is interesting that if we choose to serve Satan he doesn’t mind if we openly proclaim that we love God and want to honour Him as long as our actions and our personal lives speak otherwise. As long as Satan can get us to hold on to one sin or one selfish desire then he knows that we are under his captivity and we are his slaves. He also knows that if we continue to hold on to that one sin or selfish desire, then ultimately it will cut off our connection with God completely and we will drift further and further away from God until our final destruction is complete. So God expects complete and total surrender and obedience to His precepts and commandments. However, Satan only wants a small piece of our heart because he knows that this small piece of our heart, which resists the love of God, will be our downfall in the end.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

How interesting is this question posed unto Israel by Joshua. If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord choose you this day whom ye will serve. How many people in the world today seem to think that God is being unfair and unjust in asking us to serve Him with everything that we are. He is a kind and loving God who loves us unconditionally and does nothing but encourage and support us, yet still people think it is unfair that we are expected to serve Him. He came to this world as a man and suffered a life full of hardship and toil and then was crucified by those same people He came to save; and still people don’t want to serve him and think it is too much to ask. He gives people chance after chance to serve Him and gives his grace and forgiveness freely to all those who want it and still people harden their heart against him.

But how inspirational is it that Joshua said “But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord?” Isn’t that something that every one of us should be saying every day of our lives? Even if the rest of the world is choosing to serve Satan and openly disrespects God and tramples upon His Ten Commandments we will serve the Lord. Even if the stand we make for God is openly criticized and we are persecuted for His name’s sake that will not stop us from serving Him. Even if we are brought to prison and to a martyr’s death we will not compromise on a single one of our principles!

Examples of Wise Decisions Found in the Bible

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11: 23-27

Did Moses make the right decision when he chose to turn his back on the pleasures of sin and chose to suffer affliction with the people of God? It took great faith to do what he did, but Moses knew that despite the fact that he would be called upon to suffer hardships and afflictions, God would be with him through every trial he had to face. And he chose to face a life full of hardships and trials rather than a life of ease and pleasure without God.

All of us are facing the same decision in our lives today! We can choose the popular course that the world expects us to choose and enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season or we can choose to suffer affliction with the people of God. But before making your decision remember that the pleasures of sin only last for a season whereas when you stand with the people of God, the Lord gives the gift of eternal life. Also remember, even if our lives may seem harder than those people who chose the wide road to destruction, whenever we face an obstacle, however insurmountable it may seem, we have God on our side; and if we allow Him, He will fight our battles for us. On the other hand, when people in the world begin to suffer tribulations, they often give up hope very quickly because they have nowhere to turn. And as sad as it is, many of them turn to drugs and alcohol in a futile attempt to deal with their problems and some of them even end up committing suicide. And this terrible end begins with their decision not to serve God but instead to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Another example of someone in the Bible who made a wise decision even in the face of great adversity was Daniel, choosing to still pray to the God of heaven despite the fact that this action could very well end his life. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” Daniel 6:10-11.

“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Daniel 6:16.

“Daniel was high in command. The accusing host of evil angels stirred up the presidents and princes to envy and jealousy…. These agents of Satan sought to make his faithfulness to God the cause of his destruction….

“The king was ignorant of the subtle mischief purposed against Daniel. With full knowledge of the king’s decree, Daniel still bows before his God, ‘his windows being open.’ He considers supplication to God of so great importance that he would rather sacrifice his life than relinquish it.

“God did not prevent Daniel’s enemies from casting him into the lions’ den; He permitted evil angels and wicked men thus far to accomplish their purpose; but it was that He might make the deliverance of His servant more marked, and the defeat of the enemies of truth and righteousness more complete…. Through the courage of this one man who chose to follow right rather than policy, Satan was to be defeated, and the name of God was to be exalted and honored.

“Early the next morning King Darius hastened to the den and ‘cried with a lamentable voice,’ ‘O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?’

“The voice of the prophet replied: ‘O king, live forever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me’….

“Daniel in the lions’ den was the same Daniel who stood before the king as chief among the ministers of state and as a prophet of the Most High. A man whose heart is stayed upon God will be the same in the hour of his greatest trial as he is in prosperity, when the light and favor of God and of man beam upon him…. The power that is near to deliver from physical harm or distress is also near to save from the greater evil, making it possible for the servant of God to maintain his integrity under all circumstances, and to triumph through divine grace.”  CC 255

Shouldn’t this great Bible story inspire each and every one of us to also make the right decision–the decision for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Here was Daniel, one man in a heathen nation and he still showed no fear and he didn’t hesitate to do the Lord’s will despite him knowing full well that his obedience to God would cause him to be cast into a lion’s den. What great faith in God. And also what great love Daniel had for the truth and how highly he valued doing what was right and making the right decision in every circumstance in life.

Daniel viewed talking with his best friend, Jesus on a daily basis as a privilege and an honour and it was something that he didn’t take lightly. He viewed it as such a privilege and an honour that he was willing to lay down his life in order to continue pursuing this privilege. He would rather maintain his connection with God and stare death in the face then have his connection to God cut off and continue living. It is said that every human being faces hundreds of small decisions each day. And as a Christian every time we come to one of these decisions we are to seek that which is God’s will, and rather than make the decision based on our own judgment we are to make the decision that God would want us to make. And even if the decision the Holy Spirit has impressed us to take will lead to us being ridiculed or persecuted or even killed, we are to make the right decision nonetheless.

How beautiful it is that God allowed Daniel’s enemies to accomplish their purpose to a certain point but then He said, “No more; my servant Daniel has not completed his work here on earth.” And it was to make the victory of the truth more complete that God allowed this to happen.

Examples of Unwise Decisions Found in the Bible

“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19: 16-22.

“’If thou wilt be perfect,’ Christ said, ‘go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.’

“The lover of self is a transgressor of the law. This Jesus desired to reveal to the young man, and He gave him a test that would make manifest the selfishness of his heart. He showed him the plague spot in his character. The young man desired no further enlightenment. He had cherished an idol in the soul; the world was his god. He professed to have kept the commandments, but he was destitute of the principle which is the very spirit and life of them all. He did not possess true love for God or man. This want was the want of everything that would qualify him to enter the kingdom of heaven. In his love of self and worldly gain he was out of harmony with the principles of heaven.

“When this young ruler came to Jesus, his sincerity and earnestness won the Saviour’s heart. He ‘beholding him loved him.’ In this young man He saw one who might do service as a preacher of righteousness. He would have received this talented and noble youth as readily as He received the poor fishermen who followed Him. Had the young man devoted his ability to the work of saving souls, he might have become a diligent and successful laborer for Christ.

“But first he must accept the conditions of discipleship. He must give himself unreservedly to God. At the Saviour’s call, John, Peter, Matthew, and their companions ‘left all, rose up, and followed Him.’ Luke 5:28. The same consecration was required of the young ruler. And in this Christ did not ask a greater sacrifice than He Himself had made. ‘He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.’ 2 Corinthians 8:9. The young man had only to follow where Christ led the way.

“Christ looked upon the young man and longed after his soul. He longed to send him forth as a messenger of blessing to men. In the place of that which He called upon him to surrender, Christ offered him the privilege of companionship with Himself. ‘Follow Me,’ He said. This privilege had been counted a joy by Peter, James, and John. The young man himself looked upon Christ with admiration. His heart was drawn toward the Saviour. But he was not ready to accept the Saviour’s principle of self-sacrifice. He chose his riches before Jesus. He wanted eternal life, but would not receive into the soul that unselfish love which alone is life, and with a sorrowful heart he turned away from Christ.”  COL 391-393

So here we see the story of the rich young ruler who was faced with a decision as to whether he should go and sell everything he had and give to the poor and go and follow Jesus. But how sad it is that he chose his riches before Jesus! He had the choice of treasures in heaven and spending an eternity with Jesus, but he chose the riches of this world which only last a season and then they are gone. How many people in today’s world are the same as this rich young ruler and are rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing? They don’t feel their need of Christ or their need of making any real change in their life. Today’s world is the same as the world before the flood in which they were eating and drinking and giving in marriage and all the while they were making their decision to trample upon the truth and upon God’s law. And because they were making their decision to trample upon the truth and upon God’s law, they were also making their decision to be eternally lost and to experience the wrath of God which was displayed by the flood. And the people in today’s world are also making their decision to trample upon God’s law and to make an idol out of their houses, their lands, and their riches. Therefore the people in today’s world will also experience the same end as the people before the flood; and it will be an end of destruction and of eternal death.

How many people in today’s world are also the same as the rich young ruler in that they want eternal life but they will not receive into the soul that unselfish love which alone is life? They want all the pleasures of the world and heaven also.

“And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.” Judges 16:4-5.

“Samson in his peril had the same source of strength as had Joseph. He could choose the right or the wrong as he pleased. But instead of taking hold of the strength of God, he permitted the wild passions of his nature to have full sway. The reasoning powers were perverted, the morals corrupted. God had called Samson to a position of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness; but he must first learn to govern by first learning to obey the laws of God. Joseph was a free moral agent. Good and evil were before him. He could choose the path of purity, holiness, and honor, or the path of immorality and degradation. He chose the right way, and God approved. Samson, under similar temptations, which he had brought upon himself, gave loose rein to passion. The path which he entered upon he found to end in shame, disaster, and death. What a contrast to the history of Joseph!

“The Lord has in His Word plainly instructed His people not to unite themselves with those who have not His love and fear before them. Such companions will seldom be satisfied with the love and respect which are justly theirs. They will constantly seek to gain from the God-fearing wife or husband some favor which shall involve a disregard of the divine requirements. To a godly man, and to the church with which he is connected, a worldly wife or a worldly friend is as a spy in the camp, who will watch every opportunity to betray the servant of Christ, and expose him to the enemy’s attacks.

“The history of Samson conveys a lesson for those whose characters are yet unformed, who have not yet entered upon the stage of active life. The youth who enter our schools and colleges will find there every class of mind. If they desire sport and folly, if they seek to shun the good and unite with the evil, they have the opportunity. Sin and righteousness are before them, and they are to choose for themselves. But let them remember that ‘Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.’”  CC 135

What a sad history we have before us in the story of Samson; a man who had such great physical strength but so little moral strength.

It is quite interesting that Joseph’s temptation with Potiphar’s wife was forced upon him; however Samson went out seeking temptation and seeking the woman of the Philistines. This is a prime example of how putting ourselves on Satan’s enchanted ground will lead to us falling short of God’s honour and glory and falling into sin. If we know we are weak in a certain area we should never put ourselves in a situation in which that temptation will be put before us.

Also it is clearly shown here that Samson’s life is an example for each and every one of the young people in our church; when they are choosing a partner they are not to choose someone from the world because there will be definite consequences.

Samson chose to follow his own lusts and passions rather than being obedient to God and it ended with him losing the great strength that God had given him and ultimately he lost his life. He could have done so much greater good if he had simply been faithful to God and served Him with all his heart.

Some pointers on how to make better decisions

Make the decision to let God be God. You’ll never make progress in this area as long as you refuse to give up control. It certainly isn’t easy, and it certainly doesn’t happen overnight, especially if you’re a control freak as I once was. It almost drove me completely nuts when I began giving up control of things. But it helped immensely when I realized there was somebody a bit more qualified than me in charge of my life.

Study the Word of God. The only way you’re going to get to know God and His character is to study His Word. It won’t take long before you are able to judge situations and circumstances with a new view. Decisions are easier because you already know in advance the direction you want your life to take.

Surround yourself with people who are further along in the journey. There is no reason to learn every lesson yourself when you have perfectly good examples right in front of you. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we often counsel one another from what we’ve learned through our own mistakes. Take advantage of this counsel and learn from the mistakes of others so your own learning curve is not so steep. You’ll be very glad you don’t have to go through every mistake, as you learn from observing and listening to others. But, trust me, you will still make plenty of your own mistakes. You can take comfort in knowing that one day your mistakes may serve to help someone else.

Never give up. Be glad about your progress. Let yourself off the hook. You didn’t start showing poor judgment overnight and you won’t always show good judgment now, just because you want to. Just be happy you’re making progress and you’re seeing your life improve. Little by little as you gain wisdom from God’s Word, you’ll begin to see the results reflected in your decisions. AMEN.

Richard Eaton

Canada