We are faced with decisions every day, most of which are decisions to do right or wrong.  You as well as I are asked to go various places with acquaintances, but I learned discernment early on from mistakes that I made.  Incorrect decisions.  Decisions that placed me in situations that a Christian should never find themselves.  I learned quickly never to do those things again. While in those situations I was miserable.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?”    II Corinthians 6:14

I have had acquaintances that want to socialize with me, but I never allow it.  I know the lives that they live out side of work, and don’t involve myself.  Anything that would destroy my influence for good is a boundary that I don’t cross.  I know what Scripture tells me about influence, and follow that instruction.  Some of these people are involved in divorces, and are looking for some place to go, but their lives are at odds with their spouses, arguments, allegiances, and I do not allow that in my home.  I do not need irate spouses showing up at my door, nor anything else of a questionable nature.

“Be not deceived:  evil communications corrupt good manners.”   I Corinthians 15:33

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil;  neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: . . . .”   Exodus 23:2

Then there are times when other decisions have to be made in which we are asked questions of a business, work related nature, and at times we are tempted not to tell the truth, for it would cost us.  However, the cost of having lost our influence, and integrity far outweigh anything we would gain in this life.  Our souls are much too important than to be tempted in that way.  Judas Iscariot succumbed to temptation by selling his Savior for 30 pieces of silver and then hung himself, for he could not live with the sin of what he had done.  He was always concerned for himself and not others, and especially his Lord.  He could have been forgiven.  “If”

“And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray  Him unto them.  And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money.  And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.”     Mark 14:10

“Then Judas, which had  betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.  And they said, What is that to us?  see thou to that.  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple,and departed, and went and hanged himself.  And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.”     Matthew 27:3-6

In our daily lives, let us always use discernment, and do those things that are righteous and pleasing to Him.  Doing right will make for a peaceful life, sleep is much sweeter and His ears are open to our prayers.

“Do right for the sake of right, for there is reward enough in the virtue of doing it.  In the struggle between good and bad, look not at how the world is lining up, but rather at how right and wrong are shaping up.  Let that determine your course.  And then so follow it that you can say each night, ‘I am so glad this day I have done the right.’ ” 

          ~ Leroy Brownlow

Eileen Light