If you’re staring down a decision and it seems like a good idea to you, make sure it’s also a good idea to God. (It’s also a smart thing and check in to see if He hasn’t already said which direction to go — or not.) I know what you’re thinking, “Duh, that seems pretty basic,” but hear me out. I cannot tell you how many times I get myself in a pickle and realize if I’d just checked in with God I wouldn’t be in this mess. Life gets hectic and sometimes autopilot kicks in — please tell me I’m not the only one — and autopilot is not our friend.
Eve looked at the tree and thought to herself, “That looks good.” Chapter 3, verse 6 says, “The woman saw that the tree was good for food.” Sure, it may have looked good. It very well may have been the tastiest thing she’d ever eaten up to that point but God had already said, “Do not eat of that tree.” Some things you just don’t have to pray about.
In his journeys, Abraham, on two separate occasions, lied about Sarah. (Genesis 12:11-20 and Genesis 20:1-18) He feared for his life, for she was very beautiful, and told people that she was his sister. Which is technically true as she was his half-sister. It seemed like a good idea to him, but I assure you, if he’d inquired of the Lord he would’ve gotten a different answer. Let me just tell you, you cannot live your life on technicalities and half-truths. A half-truth is still half a lie and a lie will separate us from God. And separated from God is not somewhere you want to find yourself.
There is a phrase is Acts 15:28 that ought to stick with us. “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us.” Noticed who’s first in that statement. Who do we check in with first and who’s opinion ought to carry more weight? The Holy Spirit. He will never lead us cross grain with His word. Once you hear from Him, don’t even bother checking in with yourself. Does it seem good to Him? Then go for it.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
(1 Corinthians 13:1b)
Things Pondered 