Make the Wise Choice

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by Jason McKinnies

Key Verse

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV)

There is a great assumption that if “something” isn’t wrong, then it must be alright. Many assume that if a sermon hasn’t been preached about the direct issue they are facing, or they haven’t found verses directly related to it, if other Church people are doing it, then many will believe what they are doing is a right thing.
We then move to a thought process of ‘ “how close can I get to sin without actually sinning!” How many times can I take fire in and not get burned?

Stop asking the question is this wrong for me, and start asking is this wise for me.

 

  1. Walk Carefully 

Walking carefully gives us the idea that we are to scope out the situation and think ahead to the domino effect this decision will have when we make it. Get an idea of what is to come before it’s too late.

We are to walk carefully because the arena in which we are walking is a dangerous one.

 

  1. Understand the Will of the Lord– Ephesians 5:17

Paul is telling us to “face up to what you know in your heart is the will of the Lord”. You know the right thing to do, it’s in your heart and you know what is true! As long as you are honest with yourself, you’ll know the wise decision to make.

Choices have consequences, we must make wise choices to avoid tough consequences.

 Lot made a choice as to where to live, and as a result he
      experienced:
      1) War and kidnapping – Genesis 14
      2) Oppression and torment by the ungodly citizens of Sodom
(2 Peter 2:7-8)
      3) Loss of all his possessions, death of his wife, and incest with
         his daughters – Genesis 19
    David chose to commit adultery with Bathsheba, and as a consequence he suffered:
      1) The death of his infant son – II Samuel 12
      2) A daughter molested by her half-brother – II Samuel 13
      3) That son killed by her vengeful brother – II Samuel 13
      4) A rebellion led by that son, who shamed him publicly, and whose
         death brought even more grief to David – II Samuel 15-18
Choices have consequences.
  1. 3 Types of People – Who will you be? 
  1. The Fool
  2. The Scoffer
  3. The Wise

 

Proverbs 28:26  (NKJV) – He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

 

Fool = knows what to do but doesn’t do it.
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
 Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation(Pr 26:7). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Scoffer = He’s a lot like the fool, he knows what to do and doesn’t do it. Then the scoffer takes it a step further by criticizing the wise.
24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
 The New King James Version. (1982). (Pr 21:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Wise – knows what to do and does what he knows to do.  (Homework assignment list out the attributes of the wise using a concordance or search engine)
20 There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
 The New King James Version. (1982). (Pr 21:20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
5 A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
 The New King James Version. (1982). (Pr 24:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

10 questions to ask yourself in making a decision.

1.What does the bible say about making decisions?

Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 3:5-6, I Corinthians 10:31, II Corinthians 6:14, Proverbs 22:7, Philippians 4:8

2.Do I have all the facts? (do I know the whole story)

Proverbs 18:13,17

4 sides to a story.

3.Am I being pressured by time or people in making a premature decision?

Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 21:5

Another’s procrastination doesn’t equal an emergency on my part.

4.What motives are driving my decision? 

Proverbs 16:2, Proverbs 20:9

Why do I do what I do?

5.Have I considered past experiences in making this decision?

Proverbs 26:11, Proverbs 17:10

Find someone who will tell you where the potholes are and how deep they are.

6.Have I asked for counsel from multiple people?

Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 18:1-2

Multitude of counselors there is safety.

Friends for seasons and for reasons.

No meeting after the meeting!

7.Have I disregarded any warning red flags?

Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 16:25, Proverbs 27:6

Have I blown past the stop signs?

Don’t ignore the checks, the checks are pointing you to a better decision.

You will not be the exception to the rule. Past performance equals future results, unless there is an encounter with Jesus.

8.Have I considered the outcomes and consequences for my course of action?

Proverbs 14:1,15, Proverbs 27:12

What’s the domino effect of this decision?

9.Could this decision cause my integrity or my witness for the Lord to be questioned?

Proverbs 25:26, Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 20:7, Proverbs 22:1

Is it keeping your life above reproach?

Can your good be evil spoken of?

10. Will this allow me to make a greater impact for God’s Kingdom?

Proverbs 11:30

Only what you do for the Kingdom will last.

We must make maximum impact for the kingdom.

 

 

If you lack wisdom, ask God to give it to you.

James 1:5 (NKJV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 

Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

7           The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

Butfools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV

10          “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

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