In the previous post, we looked at God’s faithfulness and how we need to respond to that, including making right choices.

Our best life happens when we choose to serve Him, based on His worth, greatness, and character.  

Before he died, Joshua exhorted all Israel to “…choose this day who you will serve…” Josh. 24:15

This applies in two ways– There’s our original choice to give our lives to the Lord and serve Him; and then we have to keep choosing that daily— in every situation and decision!

So, how do we do this?

1. Use a “spiritual walker”. 

“Walk by the Spirit so you don’t gratify the desires of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16

Physically, people use walkers to maintain their balance, support weak legs, and keep themselves from falling. 

Spiritually, the same applies, when we lean on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance– He gives us firm and confident balance in every area of life, the support we need to overcome our weaknesses, and protection from falling into sin due to temptation.

2. Master our choices from their source.  Choices don’t just happen out of nowhere— a sequence leads to them.  Here’s the sequence:

    Input–> thoughts–> (words)–> actions

Let’s unpack this: 

First, stuff comes into our minds and hearts.  Can we control what comes in?  Yes! We can’t always control what’s out there and what we’re exposed to, but we can limit our exposure to harmful elements.  For example—during the current coronavirus pandemic, that’s exactly what the government is mandating us to do—limit our exposure to this contagious and potentially-deadly virus!

Then, even if we are exposed to sights and sounds/words that are harmful for our emotional, mental, and spiritual health, we don’t have to take them in!  Turn away.  Shut our eyes and ears.  Leave—the conversation, the movie, the (whatever it is).  Keep our immune system strong and let it do its work!

Why?  Because what we take into our minds leads to what we ponder—i.e., our thought-life and “self-talk”. 

This reminds me of our house—The aroma of whatever I cook or bake that day permeates every room, especially upstairs.  Sometimes even the next morning we’ll wake up and feel like we’ve been transported to an Italian or Chinese restaurant! J 

This is also why we’ve trained our dog to do his duty outside.

It’s also why Scripture exhorts us to “take every thought captive…” (2 Cor. 10:4-5) – So we can examine it—like immigration control– and either allow it reside in our minds or deport it.

Why?  Because our thoughts lead directly to what we say and do. 

“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Lk. 6:45

Sometimes, especially with quieter people, that abundance spills straight over into action, bypassing any verbal expression.  But whether words to action, or just action, whatever spills over will either give or destroy life—our own, others’, or relationships.  Think a spring of fresh water in the desert vs. nuclear leakage!

3. Focus on the Lord and seek His face. 

“Blessed are those…who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face.” Ps. 89:15

When we focus on His face, it gives us the LIGHT we need to walk safely and choose wisely. 

Any of us who’ve ever gone camping can identify with this.  There we are, deep in the forest, hiking a trail (or just trying to get to the latrine and back) on a cloudy, moonless, night, longing for light.

What if we are in a group and only one of us has a flashlight?  (Seriously, this has happened to me before).  Everyone in the group tries to get as close to that light as possible, so we can see it.  We keep our eyes glued to it every second and follow its exact movements so we don’t get whacked by a tree branch, crash into the tree it’s attached to, or end up lost in the woods!

In other words, that light becomes our guide to choosing our steps carefully, so we can end up where we’re supposed to without stumbling, getting hurt, or becoming a hungry bear’s breakfast.

Making right choices doesn’t come naturally, automatically, or easily, but it can happen when we set ourselves up for it in these ways.  The key is to first DECIDE that’s what we want to do. 

How about you?  How “bad”, or actually good, do you want it?