This is the last email about making choices as a Christian. Sometimes you will feel a real battle raging inside. One part of you really wants to say yes to something, but there’s another side of you that wonders if it might not be pleasing to Christ. The struggle can be intense at times. In fact, you may be spending more time thinking about doing what you really want to do rather than what God would want you to do.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16-17
You might want to print this email and keep it inside your Bible. Here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to make up your mind about some matter in your life – big or small, short term or long term.
Does the Bible say it is wrong?
John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.”
1 Samuel 15:22 “Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed (listen) than the fat of rams.”
Think of something the Bible definitely says is wrong.
Is it to please me or the Lord?
John 8:29 Our Pattern said: “I do always those things that please Him.”
Think of something that you are 100% certain would please the Lord today.
Could it hurt or harm my body?
1Corinthians 6:19 “What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Think of some examples of things that could hurt or harm your body physically.
Could it hurt or damage or defile my mind?
Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
On any given day, what could we be exposed to that could cause negative thoughts or contaminate our thinking?
Will it enslave me, trap me or trip me up?
1Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. (no advantage or no profit): all things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any (I will not be dominated by anything.).
Identify some examples of things that could become addictive or a trap for a person.
Is it good stewardship?
1Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards (manager) that one be found faithful.”
Stewardship suggests good management of something that we are responsible for – e.g. our time, our money, etc.
Will it glorify God?
1Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Philippians 1:20 “Paul said: …that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all courage, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified (honoured) in my body...”
Will it profit and edify others?
Hebrews 10:24 “Let us consider one another to stir up love and good works.”
1Corinthians 10:33 “Paul said: even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
We aren’t isolated islands all on our own. Christians have to think about others when we make decisions. The unity or oneness of Christians is important to the Lord. Christ emphasized it in the Upper Room with His disciples the night before His crucifixion.
Will it help me to serve the Lord better? Will it help to preserve me and help me to prosper as a Christian?
1Corinthians 9:19 “For though I am free from all men, yet have I made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”
1Corinthians 10:23-24 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify (build-up). Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour.”
Is it worth imitating?
1Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul was trying to be an example to other believers. I have followers too.
Philippians 4:9 “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do: and the God of peace will be with you.”
Could it cause others to stumble?
1Corinthians 8:9 “But beware lest this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”
Romans 14:21 “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.”
Read Romans 14:1-4,19-21
Will it help my light to shine brighter in a dark world?
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light SO shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.”
A Christian should have a certain distinctiveness that marks them out from those who do not know Christ. Your friends and colleagues who are not yet Christians should be able to see a very distinct difference between your life and theirs – your priorities and theirs; how you spend your money and time and how they spend theirs; your outlook on life and theirs; etc.
Is it the best?
Philippians 1:9-10 “And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment; that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.”
Will my Owner be happy with my choice?
1Corinthians 6:19-20 “You are not your own. For you were bought at a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Assignment for today:
- Keep this list for future reference.
- Are there other questions that could be added to this list that I adapted from someone else’s list?
