Could it be that I, like so many other people down the street, around the corner, and across town have a tendency to bury my head in the sand when making decisions that should be grounded in wholesome, old fashioned honesty, without ulterior motives in mind? I pray not!
I look around and it appears that a trend is becoming more and more prevalent for which today’s populous is saying by their actions, “I’ll get them before they get me.” It is a clear attitude of, “Do unto others before they do unto you”—full of malice.
The integrity and moral values of mankind are spiraling downward in a steady decline, while the actions of people that were once looked upon by society as being abnormal and lacking purity are now becoming the norm and acceptable ways of living in this new age. It is frightening to see how emotions and personalities are becoming out of control, which lack honor, decency, and nobility.
Think about it, the offspring of this generation are going to be the future leaders of this country—influenced by their parents as they follow in their footsteps. It is a sobering thought to say the least. What decay lies ahead for America
(Matthew 24:3-8), “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives , the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ ” vs.4 “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’” vs.5 “‘For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” vs.6 “‘And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.’” vs.7 “‘For nations will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.’” vs.8 “‘All these are the beginning of sorrows.’ ”
As for me, I refuse to fall prey to this declining society, and I reject any notion that enters my mind that I will change and become like it. I walk daily in God’s Spirit and allow Him to direct my coming and going, while maintaining sensitivity to His voice. I strive to remain in tune with God’s way of thinking and in step with His way of walking. The corruption and vice that's around will not rub off to contaminate and make me unclean as long as I keep my eyes upon the Lord.
(1 John 4:4), “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
No one wants to be on the losing end of something, and I’m no different. It is how a person looks at losing that determines if sleepless nights are experienced, or anxiety and depression prevail. I believe when God is in control, an individual sleeps well at night, because all things work out according to His good pleasure. The peace of God surrounds those that live for Him.
When people attempt to manipulate others, including God, the “caution boundaries” that have been established, become outdated and unimportant in the minds of those trying to work the system, as it were. For these scheming individuals, all of the tranquilizers known to man; the most educated psychiatrist; and even yoga will not help them pillow their heads at night in peace to get a good nights rest.
There is nothing wrong with having a plan for life as long as God is included in the equation and development of it. Too many people, today, desire their own style of living; excluding God from the scenario. They prefer the ungodly plan of achieving their goals as apposed to God’s perfect plan.
The methodology of justification speaks loudly its disregard for the feelings of others—giving little respect if any. People become oblivious to the needs of those around them and really don’t care anyway. The word lose is not in their immediate vocabulary of the most favored words to use. Losing is not in their game plan at all.
A man that I once worked for made this statement more than one time. “If you watch the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.” I observed this man verbally abuse people and misuse his position in negative ways. I was ashamed of him. It seemed to me that money was his God, and the more he obtained the more miserable he became. I believe his ultimate plan was to win at everything he did and not lose at any cost. He had a nasty disposition at time with an impulsive nature. I was happy when we parted company.
Addressing another thought, I pose this question. Why is it that upstanding, true-blue lovers of the American flag that love truth, justice, and the American way, not excluding Christians, are faced with tests in areas of stewardship, going the extra mile, or just doing the right thing for someone?
I believe that it is God’s way of drawing people closer to Him. He shows us that when we obey His statutes, He then gives us the desires of our heart. He prospers and makes good His promise that all things will be added unto those that call upon the name of the Lord.
Tests have a way of perfecting a person. They help teach us that by walking, talking, doing right by people and God, and taking on the image of Christ, others around us can learn through our example. God uses situations to draw mankind to Himself. If they would stop long enough to listen to sound doctrine, look into the eyes of Jesus, and turn from their compulsive, self-centered ways, they would realize that God’s perfect plan is the most wholesome way to live.
How many times have you found yourself experiencing a meltdown, because of a mind or hairsplitting decision that teetered from side to side on the line of demarcation, which left you feeling that your ability to choose the right and honorable thing to do was being tested?
As your heart skipped a beat and you took in a deep breath of air; as you exhaled slowly, you probably heard these words being uttered, “It’ll be okay.” As you breathed out your next breath you heard, “Or is it?”
Thin line decisions are the most difficult of all decisions to make. One part of you, because of something to gain or something to lose, beckons you to think selfishly, while the other part is pulling in the opposite direction. There is a clumsy, misfit feeling that comes over you. It is not fun to be torn in two different directions with the nagging question, “Which decision is the right one to make?”
Most people acknowledge that there is safety in council as stated in (Proverbs 11:14), but even in some counseling sessions the individual that is doing the counseling, whether a friend, family member, or professional psychiatrist, chances of being stirred in the wrong direction is possible, if not probable, depending upon their position in Christ.
Let’s face it; they are prone to err in judgment as much as anyone else, although using someone as a sounding board can be helpful in many cases and most enlightening. There is safety in council.
(Proverbs 11:14), “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
In the humanistic sense or humanistic way of thinking, people lean toward making you feel good rather than giving you a negative thought. They don’t want you to go away having wished that you hadn’t come to them in the first place.
Friends and family members mean well and want to help, but on occasion they give poor advice, because of error in judgment and a desire to spar feelings. For whatever reason, they may feel that you are justified in making a decision a certain way, and justify the decision based on what they themselves might do given the same circumstances.
We can get caught up with dwelling too long on something that we might lose if we decide a certain way, so we find ourselves in an endless process of justifying our actions for the decision that we want to make; at the same time sensing in the back of our mind, words telling us something totally different. It's the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Justification can be the trap that snares good judgment, thus, causing us to make bad choices and wrong decisions. It clouds the mind just enough to allow reason to choose unwisely. Justification from others can be confusing at times. It sets in motion a “release factor” that causes us to side with them and say, “Yes, I am justified in doing it this way.”
Be careful. Do you want to be justified in the eyes of your friends, family members, and even your own eyes? Truth comes when a person asks, “Am I justified in the eyes of God?” This question gives the correct answer every time.
When God is included in decision making, answers come much quicker. There is less turmoil and stress to contend with. One’s conscience is at rest with itself, and peace resides, which replaces confusion.
When we do what Jesus would do, were He here making the choice, the decision will always be the right one. I would much prefer to experience God’s perfect plan than slithering through life having my eyes blinded by the dry, chocking dust that is kicked up because of justification and wanting my plan.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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