“Choice,” a noun, an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. We all must make choices. Our choices reflect our values – those things that we hold most dear and form the most central part of our identities. A Christian’s choices, therefore, should reflect Christian values. Christian values are determined by on what Christ places value. Christians must learn to make choices that reflect the choices that Christ would make Himself if He were in our position. Paul described this lifestyle of making choices consistent with Christ the following way. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11).
In essence, Paul was saying, “choose light.” In other words, choose the way of the Spirit. Choose the way of Christ. We are to be “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” Consider the survey of translations of this statement:
- “Trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
- “Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.”
- “Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
- “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.”
- “Try to discover what the Lord wants of you”
The point is clear. Christians are to live their lives in such a way that carefully discerns what course of attitude, speech and action reflects the Spirit of Christ. At this point, many of us get confused and discouraged. Many situations arise in which the course is not always clear. Sometimes we can be guilty of making choices that are misguided and even abusive because we convince ourselves that our selfish motives for our choices are actually one in the same with the will of God, although, when pressed, we cannot find any Christ-centered justification for our actions.
So what are we to do? Is there a good way to determine whether an attitude, a form of speech or an action is pleasing to the Lord? Admittedly, many situations are difficult and there may be multiple courses of action that would be justified. The point of this article is not to make us constantly doubt ourselves, but rather to give a framework that will help us to make Spirit-led, Christ-honoring and light-reflecting choices.
I submit to you that we have a very clear picture of what a Spirit-filled life looks like in the description of the “fruit of the Spirit.” “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Christians who are filled with and led by the Spirit bear this fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, I believe these descriptions of the fruit of a Spirit-filled person give us an inspired framework with which to evaluate our choices.
Love
Is this decision loving? Does it take into account the highest benefit or good of others? Does it reflect the love of Christ? Does it promote love? Would an unbiased observer interpret this decision as loving?
Joy
Does this decision promote Christian joy in myself and others? Does this decision cause my Christian joy to be magnified? Will this decision have a negative impact on my Christian joy or that of others?
Peace
Does this decision promote peace? Does it promote inner peace and harmony? Does it promote peace and harmony among brethren? Would an unbiased observer say my actions promote peace?
Longsuffering
Does my decision reflect patience and longsuffering, even in the midst of difficulty and agitation? Does it give others the benefit of the doubt? Does my decision take into account how longsuffering God has been with me? Would an unbiased observer interpret my decision as being longsuffering?
Kindness and Goodness
Is this decision made out of kindness and affection for others? Does it seek to bring blessing and benefit to others? Even if it is an unpopular decision with others, is it done in the spirit of kindness?
Faithfulness
Does my decision reflect my trust in God? Does my choice promote my own trustworthiness of character? Will this decision cause others to have more or less trust in me?
Gentleness
Are my words and decisions characterized by harshness? Is my decision considerate to others? Is this decision motivated by a self-asserting spirit? Would an unbiased observer interpret my actions as gentle?
Self-Control
Is my decision reflective of a self-seeking spirit? Is my decision a result of lack of personal restraint? Is my decision an attempt to bind my preferences and opinions on others?
Sometimes decisions must be made where we have to choose greater of two goods. Sometimes there are competing good reasons for choosing different courses of action. In these instances, we should pray for the wisdom of God (James 1:5). However, most decisions are clear when we apply the “Spirit-filled” test to them.
The alternative to choosing light is choosing darkness. The alternative to being led by the Spirit is being led by the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17). The way of the flesh looks like this: “Now the deeds of flesh are evident…immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASU).
Those who make their choices that reflect fleshly attitudes, words and actions are excluded from the kingdom. “I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things [things of the flesh] will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21). Which way will you choose?
May God help us to choose light, to choose the way of the Spirit and to choose the way of Christ. May God help us to turn away from every evil thing and every way characterized by the flesh.
