The God-given Right to Choose

Very seldom does anything exist in total isolation. God in Genesis 1:26 declared, "Let us make man in our image,” implying Jesus was an equal participant in the creation of mankind. John 1:3 confirms with this reminder, “Through him all things were made.” God is creator of the family, where attachments endure for life.

Temptation entices its victims to discard God’s boundaries. Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden to doubt God’s simple rules. Satan’s objective was to cripple her faithfulness to God. The cutting edge of temptation is filled with deception.

God did not abandon Eve to Satan’s power but gave her the option to choose. While we can't be perfect, God empowers us with wisdom and insight to fight every temptation. He does this because of his great love and desire for fellowship with us. Be wise and permit God to rescue you from the snare of temptation.  

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If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.

~James 1:5 God’s Word Translation

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Facing Down Temptation

Everyone has fallen prey to temptation’s allurement. Temptation is unavoidable, and I'm not referring to being lured into a heinous crime or being seduced by obsessive sexual lust, but by enticements that may appear harmless. The temptation may be to overlook appropriate Christian ethics in everyday living.

A reason for discarding Christian values in social settings is cutthroat competition that disregards the Golden Rule. A common conviction is that you have to "play it safe" and maintain the status quo by standing firm in your comfort zone, which is a defense against risking failure.

The key to resisting temptations to play it safe and risk nothing is found in James 1:5: “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to provide a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him." After asking God for wisdom, be prepared to use what he gives in ways that honor him.  

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For inasmuch as [Jesus] has suffered himself by being tempted, he is able to give immediate help to any who are tempted.

~Hebrews 2:18 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Embracing Wisdom's Discipline

Every individual looks to the past to search for understanding of what is currently being experienced. Obsessing about the past can be a relentless search for unreachable solutions. However, looking back to gain understanding can be the motivation to change what hasn’t worked and to discover what will work.

Wisdom requires discipline to be successful. A genuine desire to use wisdom that is aligned with the purposes of God for the good of humanity must be present. Psalm 111:10 teaches that respect for the Lord God is actually the beginning of true wisdom. Those who possess true wisdom and understanding can't help but praise God for it.

Wisdom and understanding provide a strong foundation for making decisions to be honored and blessed by God. This includes wisdom for making decisions that affect your life and the lives of others. Now is the time to ask God for wisdom so you can live a healthy, productive life that is pleasing to him.                         

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[I pray] asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

~Ephesians 1:17 New Living Translation

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Uniting Patience with Wisdom

When living in an evolving, changing world, it's not easy to be patient. Lack of patience is credited with overreacting to minor issues. Boundaries of tolerance tend to fail as anxiety and worry increase. The more difficult it is to cope with life’s transitions, the more we need godly wisdom to flourish and survive.

Samson consistently came up short on patience and wisdom, which was responsible for his making unfortunate choices. Samson chose revenge for managing the crises he brought on himself. In his book, The Soul’s Natural Food, Jacob Anatoli declares that “wisdom cannot enter into the malicious heart."

 Patience and wisdom conjoined together make it possible to look at life’s joys and sorrows from God’s perspective. To receive wisdom, earnestly ask God for it. Commit to studying God's word so you can apply its wisdom to your life. Share what you learn to build confidence in God’s calling on your life. May God bless and strengthen you with patience and wisdom today. 

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 A wise man patiently restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit.

~Proverbs 19:11 The Living Bible

 

The way to become wise is to honor the Lord; he gives sound judgment in all who obey his commands. He is to be praised forever.

~Psalm 111:10 Good News Bible

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