“Bad Decisions” Conclusion
Conclusion
We have multiple
examples in the Bible of people experiencing the consequences of bad
decisions. But we can also observe the
consequences of poor choices that were made in recent history. In our current time, we have the ability to choose from a smorgasbord of church
denominations. Unfortunately, the
creation of different denominations has caused division within the body of
Christ. Some of the denominations were
founded in response to people being hurt or disappointed by another
denomination. While the founders of the newly
formed denomination may have had good intentions or may have desired to point
the denomination in a positive direction, we have nonetheless witnessed the
damage that those good intentions has had. In
the majority of examples that we could use to illustrate the consequences of
bad decisions, one theme is resoundingly clear: the
consequences of bad decisions are rarely ONLY felt by the ones who MADE the
decision.
There are times when people lack the insight to make sound decisions. Sometimes decisions were made emotionally and because the person failed to see the big picture at the time, they fought against anyone who differed in opinion or belief. For example, there have been many complaints because some do not appreciate the idea of men using the same restroom as their wives or daughters. However, when the church was voting against the LGBT community receiving SPECIAL rights, we were accused of discriminating against them.
While
many are uncomfortable with the idea of the opposite sex having access to the
same restroom or locker room as them, they have to understand that it is a
right that has been afforded to the LGBT community, and for many of the people
who take issue with this arrangement, it is a right that they voted in favor
of. The problem is that many people do not
understand the subtlety and deceptiveness of Satan. So while they were supporting special rights
for the LGBT community, they were not fully informed of what some of those
rights would consist of. Stanley
Monteith stated, “When liberty leads to the loss of order, the demand for order
will lead to the loss of liberty.” In
other words, in order for us to get men out of the ladies room, it may come at
a cost to some of the freedoms we currently enjoy.
Finally, as history
has shown us, it is important for us to make good and sound decisions. Unfortunately, poor choices do not always
present themselves as such, and as Proverbs 14:12 warns us; “There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of
death.” So how do we place
ourselves in a position to make the best decisions possible?
First of all, we have to be willing
to obey His WRITTEN instructions. Some
assume that they are following God when they have not taken the time to read
what He expects of us. Secondly, we have to be humble enough to place ourselves under the instruction of people who have a proven record of being sound in the faith and making wise decisions. God will either
speak to us through His word or He will allow us to receive wise counsel from
others. Decisions should never be made
based on how we FEEL concerning an idea.
Feelings do not make wise counselors.
