Think About the Effect Before the Choice is Made

S-Live According To Your New Life

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Free Gift of Freedom

L-You Are Never Free From This Conflict

"So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law." Galatians 5:16-18

He is four, yet so wise for his age. His struggle to comprehend what Christ does when He takes residency within him, leaves him frustrated and sad at times.

He struggles with making the right decisions. Therefore leaving him to question if Jesus is really even in his heart.

We have these conversations often.

"Mommy, I just don't know how to be good."

"Mommy, I just don't want the devil to be alive, I don't like it, it makes me so sad. "

"Mommy, I know Jesus is in my heart, but I just can't be good."

"Mommy, I just need someone to help me."

These words pour out of the mouth of our sweet four year old. They are heartbreaking, hard, real, challenging, eye-opening, and push us to our knees together often.

He is curious, He wants details, He has questions, He has a vulnerable heart. A strong willed nature. He has a mind that remembers EVERYTHING. He soaks everything in. He meditates and chews on all of it.

As we read stories in the Bible he asks questions and makes comments that literally amaze me and my husband.

He never wants to close the Bible until he has asked every question possible. His desire to understand and know is beyond comprehension.

So as I approached this passage, we began to talk. We have more grown up talks then we do mommy son talks. He challenges me, brethren.

Choosing Jesus and good decisions is a choice. It's one we will have to do until Jesus takes us home. But we don't have to do it alone, the Holy Spirit helps us. Jesus sent help!

The most powerful help there is.

This brings a calmness and peace to his little heart. It reassures me that he gets it. We remind him often that Jesus will help him, but he has to do his part, he has to make the choice to do right. And he can because of the Holy Spirit living within him. But he has to understand, if he seeks to be good on his own human effort, he will fail every time. But if he seeks the help of the Holy Spirit and allows Him to be in control, he will be able to resist bad choices and produce fruit. (Everyday we learn and talk about the effect our choices have on us, others, and on Jesus. This helps him understand and think about the effects and what choice would be the best, Jesus pleasing choice. This is a work in progress for all four of us.)

Brethren, this is something we all struggle with, whether we are 4, 44, 54, 64, or 84. The choice! Today, will I choose to live according to my new life in the Holy Spirit, or will I choose to do what my sinful nature desires. Will I seek to be good by my own human efforts or by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Sadly there are more that choose their sinful nature than the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you know how much power is in the word "Choice?" More than we will ever be able to grasp.

Everyday we are given choices and every choice has a powerful effect! 

The choice to love or hate
The choice to serve or be served
The choice to forgive or not to forgive
The choice to be angry or nice
The choice to be happy or joyful
The choice to gossip or build others up
The choice to obey or not to obey
The choice to be good stewards or greedy
The choice to be humble or greedy
The choice to use speak truth or lies
The choice to be merciful or merciless
The choice to be kind or hurtful
The choice to be humble or prideful
The choice to selfish or selfless
The choice to be first or last
The choice to praise or complain
The choice to be negative or positive
The choice to trust or doubt
The choice to be faithful or unfaithful
The choice to give or take
The choice to choose Jesus or deny Jesus
The choice to work hard or be lazy
The choice to be bitter or let go
The choice to hold records of wrong or to extend grace
The choice to want or be grateful
The choice to be free or live in enslaved
The choice to pure or impure
The choice to be used or useless
The choice to share the truth or not share the truth
The choice to reflect Christ or reflect the world
The choice to stand out or blend in
The choice to be transparent or fake
The choice to quarrel or be a peacemaker
The choice to want or be content
The choice to gripe or be grateful
The choice to give life or take life
The choice to be jealous or confident
The choice to be insecure or secure in Christ
The choice to be weak in flesh or strong in Christ
The choice to busy or available for Him
The choice to put self first or Christ first
The choice to commit or not commit


"And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict." Galatians 5:17

What does your life produce?