July 2 , 2007

Why Is Everything Black or White? Part 2

We talked about being hot or cold and not being lukewarm in “Why Is Everything Black Or White Part 1?” In many things that we experience daily the choices that we make can and should be based on what we have learned through prayer, study of God’s Word and Godly Wisdom. But what about the times when you need direction and the answer is not so obvious, it is not spelled out in black or white? We have all been in situations where we are faced with two options and they both appear to be good choices, neither option if chosen appears to be bad or something that would hurt us or someone else, how do we make a decision in those cases? How do I choose between two good things?

Some choices are obvious because of the short or long term repercussions, example: A single parent has to decide between attending a meeting at church or supporting her son or daughter at an extracurricular activity to cheer them on. The obvious answer would be to go and support your son or daughter, since you are the only parent, unless there are some other factors to be considered. Both options are good ones, supporting your child may be something only you can do, the meeting can be handled by various other people within the church. For many of us there are other choices that we make daily that are not so easy.

Which job to take when more than one is being offered and they both appear to have promise and far reaching ability for advancement.

Which school to put your child in when one will be a financial sacrifice for the family, but will provide the child with a much better education. The sacrifice will cost your family in other areas.

How to choose when God presents two potential mates for you as marriage partners?

Which relationships should I retain and which ones are no longer good for me? Sometimes we do have to change our circle if we intend to move where God wants us to move.

Which church do you attend when you and your mate come from different religious backgrounds?

And the list of choices we have to make on a daily basis goes on and on and on.

Well the bible does not tell us which job to take, which school to put our children in, which mate to choose or which church to attend, but the bible is clear that God has sent us His Holy Spirit to guide and direct us. In John 16:5-16 Jesus says, 5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
 12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

When the answer is not black or white, seek the Holy Spirit through prayer for direction, then heed the direction/counsel that He gives you. Our failure to accept His counsel has resulted in failed marriages, financial disasters, relationship issues and emotional setbacks. How the Holy Spirit speaks to each one of us is different. For you He may speak through dreams and visions, He may show you by setting up roadblocks or making a situation impossible, more difficult than it ought to be.

If you are not sure if God is trying to give you direction through the Holy Spirit ask God for clarification and don’t move until you get it. Many of us have made the mistake of seeking the counsel of others only to find that they either had something to gain or lose from the advice they gave or they did not have our best interest at heart, either way their counsel would not be wise especially if the direction God was attempting to give you was related to them.

  Weekly Scripture:

John 16:13-16
13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

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