DECISIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES 

 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8). 

LESSON 4: TWO MORE PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER

As we look over our original list of potential decisions found in the introduction, we will continue the third principle and use an additional one to make an application to each one.  What decisions would we make as we keep each of God’s laws in mind?  Let us make the decisions that would bring eternal treasure and not the temporary satisfaction of the fleshly desires. 

Third Principle:  LIVING BY FAITH, LOVING GOOD & HATING EVIL (continued from lesson 3) 

King Saul offered a sacrifice in his own wisdom (1 Samuel 15:15, 22-23); however, it was in direct disobedience to a command of God, and God rejected King Saul’s sacrifice and him.  To walk according to His word, in faith and in obedience has always been what is necessary and important. 

Sometimes walking by faith requires taking the strong meat of God’s word and exercising our senses to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).  We must not use our own judgment to decide.  There may be many times when something may seem good to us, but we must use the word of God as our criteria for evaluation.  We are to love righteousness and hate iniquity (or evil) as Jesus did (Hebrews 1:8-9).  As we make decisions, our choices should be toward good and toward righteousness; and against iniquity and evil.  It is only through His word that we can discern what is good and what is evil. 

We are not to seek evil but hate it; we are to love good and seek it (Amos 5:14-15).  What do our decisions say of us?  Do we truly want what is good, or are we going after our own fleshly desires?  We must abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thes 5:22). 

The love of money or a desire to be rich is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:9-10).  We should especially be careful about this particular temptation.  What does the wisdom of this world tell us?  Would the one walking by sight acknowledge such a command? 

Do we want to be someone who is of God or as one who has not seen God (3 John 1:11)?  As we come to every decision in life, we need to follow that which is good and not that which is evil.  If we abhor that which is evil and cleave to that which is good, which direction will our decisions take us (Romans 12:9)? 

We need to realize the whole world lies in wickedness or evil and constantly be on guard (1 John 5:19).  Will we allow ourselves to marry or otherwise be unequally yoked together with the wicked?  It doesn’t take much to be a partaker of evil deeds; we should be careful where our decisions lead us (2 John 1:11). 

Fourth Principle:  SEEKING GOOD OF OTHERS, NOT OUR OWN; BEING A LIGHT 

We are not to seek or love the praise of men.  We are not to live and make decisions simply to gain man’s approval and honor.  Instead we are to make the decisions that would gain God’s praise (Romans 2:28-29)—even seek to have God’s praise.  We cannot disregard man even though we are not to seek the praise of man.  We are to provide things honest (good) in the sight of all men, living peaceably if it be possible (Romans 12:17-18). 

Peacemakers are among the blessed.  In making decisions, we need to consider the impact of our decisions on others (Matthew 5:9).  In lowliness of mind, we are to esteem others better than ourselves, looking on the things of others and not our own.  We are to be a servant like Jesus was, ministering to others as opposed to expecting others to minister to us (Philippians 2:3-8). 

We are not to seek our own but the good of others.  We are not to insist on doing something (simply because it is our “right” and does not break any civil law) without regard to its impact on others.  We must consider the effect of our action on others, whether it is expedient and whether it edifies (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).  We are even to let our liberty be judged of another’s conscience, as we do all to the glory of God.  We are not to seek our own profit, but the profit of others (that they may be saved), and definitely never give any offence (1 Corinthians 10:29-33). 

We are not to make any decision that would lead to putting a stumbling block in our brother’s way; we are not to do any thing that would make our brother stumble, offend, or become weak.  Instead we are to follow after the ways that make for peace and that edify (Romans 14:13, 19, 21).  Just proving something is lawful and okay, does not give us license (or the right) to do it.  To be determined to do such a thing without considering its impact on others is to be puffed up in knowledge without love (1 Corinthians 8:1-13).  Love demands that we consider the impact of our decisions and our actions on the lives of others.  Love demands we make the decision that edifies the other person.  Failing in this is no small matter; such can cause a weak brother to perish by sinning against Christ. 

Our decisions need to demonstrate several attitudes and actions toward others (brethren in this context).  We need to demonstrate compassion, love, being pitiful and courteous, rendering blessing (and not evil and railing) for evil and railing, refraining the tongue from evil and lips from guile, seeking peace (1 Peter 3:8-11). 

Our study has brought us back to Romans 12:17-21.  Our decisions need to be toward providing things honest or good in the sight of all men.  One way we do this is never to repay evil with evil, never avenge ourselves but provide things honest, pursue peace, give place to wrath, overcome evil with good.  We are to be as the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16).  Do our decisions reflect this?  In making any decision, will we be shining forth as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (Philippians 2:15)?  That should be our goal.