Right Choices

From the moment we enter the world there is the development and exercise of a very powerful right and ability. Though greatly influenced by experiences and acquired information, this aptitude remains within our possession throughout the course of life. It is the ability to choose. We learn to choose preferred food, friends, hobbies, jobs, and ideology based upon what seems to be right from our perspective. Sometimes there are choices made between what seems to be the lesser of two objectionable things, like paying taxes vs going to jail. Given the present circumstances and understanding, actions taken for the course of life come from an established perception of what is right. This is favorable as long as that perception is formed from truth. If, however, what seems to be right is actually far from the truth, like Eve with the fruit and Judas with the money, there can be devastating consequences. It is critical, then, what the source is for how things seem to be. It is also possible for better choices to come from bettering that source. The experienced pilot has learned to adjust the source of what seems right from a deceptive visual reference to the actual truth produced by his instruments. Because there is no longer reliance upon an unreliable source of truth, choices can be made that will ensure safe flights.

For all of life’s choices there is a source of actual truth that will completely adjust how things seem to be, from precarious notions to established righteousness. Rather than just relying on past experience and natural senses, we have the Spirit as our source of truth. He has come to teach and guide us into all truth. We can continually choose to act upon His direction and yield to His ways. What seems to be right can be moved from the sands of imminent destruction to the Rock of our salvation. Though hope may have been lost for making this move, as long as there is breath, there will still be an opportunity to choose life over death. The way that seems right can be altered from what was leading to death to the certainty of eternal life.

Notes

The ability to choose is our greatest power/peril.

Joshua 24:15 (NIV) 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NKJV) 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

How are choices made? – Seem

Seem:

1. to appear to be, feel, do, etc.
2. to appear to one's own senses, judgment, etc.
3. to appear to be true or probable: It seems likely to rain.
4. to appear or pretend to be such: to seem friendly.

Proverbs 12:15 (NIV) 15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 18:17 (NIV) 17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

For the right choice to be made – must have right source for how things seem to be.

Example of a pilot – must look away from unreliable seem to fixate on the truth.

How to validate our seems/ensure safe, right choices:

Look away/unto

The truth requires spiritual perception.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV) 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Our truth comes right from the unchanging standard/instrument

John 16:13 (NKJV) 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Renew mind to Spirit seem

Ephesians 4:20-24 (NKJV) 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Flesh and the spirit are antagonistic against one another.

Galatians 5:16-17 AMPC [16] But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). [17] For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

To be carnally minded is death. Spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:5-8 NKJV [5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. [8] So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Change your mind!

Romans 12:1-2 AMPC [1] I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

KingdomDynamics Renewal of the Mind, To “renew” is “to renovate,” implying a restoration to freshness or to an original state. It intimates the potential of redemption’s power to reinstate features of God’s original intention for humanity and a recovery of many potentialities of the human mind and soul as designed before the Fall. The “mind” constitutes the intellect or understanding, but also includes all that is described in the word “mind-set,” that is, the feelings and the will. Being “transformed” by the renewal of the mind indicates a literal “change in the form or formulas of thought or being.” This describes redemption’s provision of power to instill godliness in us— a power that transforms 1) our thoughts, which lead to formulating 2) our purposes, which proceed to dictate our actions; and, thus, 3) our actions become character-determining habits, shaping the life and setting the course for the future.

The path to godly living is not complicated, nor is it energized by the flesh, but it does call the believer to willing submission to the Father’s provision and ways.

Overview:

• Our ability to choose is both powerful and perilous.
• Our choices are determined by how things seem to us.
• To ensure right and safe choices, must validate the source of appearances.
• We have the Spirit of truth to guide past the unreliable outward to the actual truth.
• For choices to follow truth the must be mind renewal to Spirit’s leading.
• When our “seems” align with the truth, our choices demonstrate the powerful will of God.

Prayer:

“I am grateful that, in Your love and understanding of me, You have given me the ability to freely choose You and the truth that only comes from You. As I do so now, fill me completely with Your Spirit’s revelation of truth so that my choices no longer follow what seems right to the world. Secure me in the way that is right, pure and effective for Your glory.”

Declarations:

• As I have received the revelation of Christ’s love for me and chosen His new life, I continue to choose His way over all unreliable alternatives.
• With every choice of Him, my mind is being renewed so that what seems right is the actual truth.
• I look away from what the world provides and focus only on what is revealed in Christ.
• As my mind is established in the way that seems right in Christ, so my choices will be productive for the glory of God.
• I will make my way prosperous and have good success as my mind is fixed on Him.