THE WISDOM OF MAKING RIGHT DECISIONS
Key Text: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 KJV
Life is basically a long series of decisions. Some are small, like whether to eat rice or swallow, while others can change the direction of your entire life, like who to marry, what career to pursue, where to live, what business to enter, or which opportunity to accept. The interesting thing is that many wrong decisions do not look wrong at the beginning. Sometimes the wrong road has good lighting, beautiful scenery, and even people cheering you on. That is why wisdom is more valuable than excitement.
Lot made a decision based largely on what looked attractive. When Abraham gave him the opportunity to choose where he wanted to settle, Lot lifted his eyes and saw that the plain of Jordan was well watered, looking like the garden of the Lord. It looked like a fantastic deal, but the Bible later tells us that Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. He made a geographical decision without sufficiently considering the spiritual environment attached to it. This teaches us something important: what looks good to your eyes may not always be good for your destiny. Your eyes can see an opportunity, but only discernment can see what comes with it.
One of the greatest mistakes we make is assuming that every open door is automatically a God opened door. Sometimes a door is open simply because somebody opened it. Sometimes an opportunity comes because your name was recommended. Sometimes something is available because you have the money to pay for it. That does not necessarily mean God is saying, “Go ahead.” Samson had access to Delilah, but access was not approval. David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but opportunity was not permission. Wisdom teaches you to pause before you proceed and ask, “Lord, is this merely possible, or is this profitable?”
Prayers and Confession
I receive grace to pause when I need to pause, wait when I need to wait, move when I need to move, and say no when I need to say no. My decisions will not destroy what You are building in my life. I will not be carried away by what looks good while ignoring what is spiritually dangerous. I declare that I have the wisdom of God. I discern rightly. I choose wisely. I will not be deceived by appearances. My decisions are ordered by God’s wisdom, and my steps are directed by the Lord. Amen.
Reflection
What decision are you currently making that you need to stop and examine beyond how it looks?
Further Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5, Genesis 13:10-13, 1 Samuel 24:4-7, Proverbs 14:12
