Today I am giving you a choice between good and evil, between life and death. Deuteronomy 30:15
We were barely more than acquaintances when she asked for my opinion on a dress she bought for a special occasion. At first glance, I thought to myself, “Is this a joke?” I almost laughed. Why, oh why had she asked for my point of view? My humble opinion was that the dress was hideously clownish. I didn’t know her well enough to give an honest answer. In confusion, I felt waylaid by her request. I needed to make an instant decision: Do I tell the truth and possibly hurt her feelings, or do I lie?
I received a call from another lady who also wanted my opinion. A temptation was compelling her to cross a line she had drawn. I believe she wanted my approval. I did not give it to her; instead, I told her to pray and think hard before making a decision.
We don’t always have that luxury of time when making a decision. Temptations can take us by surprise. Typically, our choice to sin is a split-second decision. At that time, we often pick the option that seems the easiest. In the end, it usually makes life difficult.
God knows this and loves us unconditionally. If we go to Him and ask for help in this area, He is ready and willing to meet our needs. When we stay grounded in His word, scripture can be our backbone. Continually praying keeps us plugged into our source of strength. Steering clear of triggering situations can help. In other words, an alcoholic would be wise to stay out of a bar, a drug addict may need to find some new friends, and a sex addict may want to bring the computer into a public area of the house and steer clear of a porn shop.
When you find yourself at a place of instant decision-making, take a deep breath, and say a quick prayer. God will be your mouthpiece, and if you choose a victory for Satan, God will help you revive. He knows about temptation, and He knows we can be weak. He also loves us enough to forgive and use our brokenness to make better choices in the future.
Father, Help me to choose good over evil and life over death. In Christ, I pray, Amen.
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