How to Turn to the Right
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 10:12-13
What does the Lord your God require of you? … To obey the Lord’s commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good. Deuteronomy 10:12-13
“Gather around, ladies and gentlemen, and feast your eyes on this magnificent bottle of pills. Just one capsule a day and you will automatically and flawlessly know the difference between right and wrong. That’s right—one capsule a day and you’ll never make a bad choice again. Who will be the first to pay one hundred dollars and take home this bottle of miracle pills?”
How hard would it be to part with a mere hundred dollars to make sure you made the right choice in every decision of life? Not very. Whenever you couldn’t tell if something was right or wrong, you’d just pop a pill.
Well, there’s no such wonder drug. But there are some questions you can ask yourself that will help you make the right choice:
The Personal Test: Will doing that thing bring me closer to Jesus?
The Practical Test: Will doing it bring good results?
The Social Test: Will doing it help others be more like Jesus?
The Universal Test: What would the world be like if everyone did it?
The Scripture Test: Does the Bible clearly label it wrong?
The Stewardship Test: Is it a waste of God’s talents invested in me?
The Missionary Test: Will doing it help others see Jesus in me?
The Character Test: Will it make my character stronger?
The Publicity Test: Would I want my friends to know about it?
The Common-Sense Test: Does it show everyday smarts?
The Family Test: Will it make my family look bad?
God put you here on Planet Earth and released you to experience life at its best. But that’s why he made certain things off-limits. He knows everything isn’t good for you. He knows there are places in life where you can fall down and get hurt, and he doesn’t relish the idea of scraping you up off the pavement.
So let God guide you in your choices by helping you choose what is right. He isn’t down on your fun at all. He wants you to have a whole lot of it—but without even a hint of regret. The limits he puts in your life are to protect you!
TALK: Do you believe that God is looking out for what’s good for you? What evidence do you see?
PRAY: Say thanks to God for his plan to protect you from harm and provide for your best.
ACT: Are you wondering if some activity is right or wrong? Put it to these tests!