Introduction

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet you with the love and warmth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We gather here today under the banner of His grace, in the fellowship of His love, and in the pursuit of His wisdom. We come together as active participants in the unfolding story of our faith, as we seek to understand more deeply the truths found in the Word of God.

Our focus today is drawn from the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs 1:7, we read, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

How often do we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of life, torn between the path of godly wisdom and the path of worldly advice? How often do we struggle to make the right choices, to resist the allure of sin, to turn our backs on the fleeting pleasures of this world, and to walk steadfastly in the path of righteousness?

The late, great theologian, J.I. Packer once wrote, "Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it." Wisdom is not merely about knowing what is right, but it is about choosing what is right, and having the courage to follow through with that choice, regardless of the cost.

Today we will be looking at the consequences of ungodly choices, the challenges in making godly choices, and creating strategies for better choices. May the Lord grant us the grace to make choices that honor Him, that reflect His character, that advance His kingdom, and that bring glory to His name.

Consequences

In the pages of the Bible, we find numerous accounts of individuals who made choices that were not aligned with God's will. These choices, driven by pride, lust, greed, envy, etc., led to dire consequences. The story of Adam and Eve, for instance, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of disobedience. Their decision to eat from the forbidden tree, in direct violation of God's command, resulted in their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the introduction of sin into the world, and the curse of death upon all humanity.

Similarly, we see in the life of King David the tragic consequences of ungodly choices. His lustful desire for Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, led him to commit adultery and subsequently, murder, to cover up his sin. The repercussions of David's actions were severe. His family was torn apart by strife, his reign was marred by rebellion, and his relationship with God was severely damaged.

In the New Testament, we find the account of Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Driven by greed, Judas chose to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His choice led to his downfall and eventual suicide. His life serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of ungodly choices.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, warns us about the consequences of living according to sinful nature. He writes, "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21).

In contrast to the destructive consequences of ungodly choices, the Bible also presents the blessings and benefits of godly choices. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses sets before the Israelites the choice between blessings and curses. He urges them to choose life by obeying God's commands, promising that they and their descendants will live long in the land that God is giving them.

The story of Daniel and his friends in the foreign land of Babylon provides a powerful example of the blessings of godly choices. Despite the pressure to conform to the pagan culture around them, they chose to remain faithful to God. As a result, they were blessed with wisdom, favor, and protection.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, encourages believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. He urges them not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. He promises that by doing so, they will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the blessings of godly choices. He pronounces blessings on the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted because of righteousness. He assures them that theirs is the kingdom of heaven, that they will be comforted, inherit the earth, be filled, receive mercy, see God, be called children of God, and have a great reward in heaven.

In conclusion, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that our choices have consequences. Our choices can lead to destruction, while other choices can lead to blessings. As followers of Christ, we are called to make choices that honor God, that reflect His character, and that advance His kingdom. May the Lord grant us the wisdom and courage to do so.

Making a Choice

As we navigate the complexities of life, we are often confronted with the daunting task of making godly choices ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO