Galatians 5:13–18 ‘For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.’(v17)
When we make a decision we settle something. It offers us the opportunity to choose between two or more opportunities, and then to live on the basis of our decision. Our human nature often prefers to postpone decisions for they appear so final. We wonder what might have happened had we made an alternative choice.
Too often we sit on the fence, unwilling, or unable, to make our decision; this is indecision and leaves us in no man’s land, pinned down by enemy fire from every direction. One purpose of Scripture is to guide our decision-making, even though taking choices always involves effort and testing.
The Bible describes the flesh as that part of our humanity that struggles to hold fast to God when confronted by the many temptations that stir our inner desires. These appear to offer us personal satisfaction and fulfilment. All of us live in search of happiness, or good fortune and a prosperous life. Nothing wrong with such aspirations, but Scripture identifies happiness as the fruit of obedience to God’s Word and way, only found when we actively live by the Spirit.
The many alternatives born of our sophisticated society cannot meet the deepest needs of the human heart, which God identifies as acceptance, love and identity. Paul describes this internal warfare, which assaults every aspect of our psyche, as presenting us with a choice between freedom and imprisonment. We constantly face a choice between serving God or ourselves.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Josh. 24:1–15; Psa. 25:1–15; Matt. 13:44–46; John 7:16–19.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: What decision have you pushed into the long grass? Why do you find decision-making difficult? Consider making all your decisions on the basis of Scripture.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, I choose to replace my indecisiveness with obeying Your Word. Amen.’
Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash
