I entered a blog post titled “Choices” on August 11. Feel free to read it if you would like. Some of what I want to share with you today is related to the same subject, however, it has a different twist.

I stated in the “Choices” post that we make about 35,000 decisions in a day! Those decisions are made based on our preferences and according to the knowledge and understanding we have of the subject matter.

Let’s consider for a moment, the sources we depend on for knowledge and understanding. For quite a few of us today, these are the most common sources of information and knowledge we have … professors, teachers, politicians, celebrities, TV shows, the internet, or the news media. Maybe you get information from family members or friends. Our knowledge comes from what we have learned and from those through whom we have learned it.

So, many of our decisions come from our own opinions and/or the opinions of others we’ve been swayed by. I have found that, often, we have opinions, make decisions, and take action based on misinformation from sources that are not entirely accurate, are biased, or simply not based on truth.

A case in point, a number of years ago, we were watching a news report showing video of anti-American protests that were taking place at the Cairo, Egypt airport. The protest was large and the video was showing that it was turning very violent. This caused us to become very concerned for the safety and welfare of my aunt, who was a missionary there. A family member called the American Consulate expressing our concerns. You can imagine our relief and yet shock when we were told there were no protests taking place at the Cairo airport. Upon further investigation, the videos being played on the “news” had been taken years before and were kept on file by the network. I would dare say, the network intentionally put false news on to stir up political opinions of the populous.

Let’s look at what the Scripture tells and warns us, about putting our trust in men.

Jeremiah 17:5 (NLT), “This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.”

Psalm 118:8 (NKJV), “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” ‘Trust’ as used here, means: to make a refuge, have hope in, to trust. “Confidence’ means to set one’s hope and confidence upon.

Psalm 146:3 (NKJV), “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.”

Isaiah 2:22 (NASB20), “Take no account of man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?”

We must constantly guard what things we allow to come into our hearts. There are many deceiving voices in the earth today, all trying to sway you and turn you from the truth. We need to ever be cognizant that the decisions we make are based on truth.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT), “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

2 Peter 3:17 (NIV), “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.”

Proverbs 3:5 and 6 (NLT), “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

God’s knowledge is unfathomable (not able to be measured)!

Romans 11:33 and 34 (NKJV), “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?"

Isaiah 55:8 and 9, (NLT), ”My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” The word ‘higher’ used to describe His ways and thoughts means, to be exalted.

We must remember that we need to seek out God as our absolute source of truth. Some men deliberately mislead, some are deceived and report what they believe to be true, however, it is not always so. (I.e. our fearing and believing that my aunt would not be able to leave Egypt without putting her life in tremendous jeopardy.)

Most of the media tells you what they want you to believe. Most politicians tell you only what they believe you want to hear and once elected, do whatever they desire.

We all desire strongly to know who we can trust. In all honesty though, only God knows who can be trusted for a certainty. Why? God sees the heart of man and does not take into account what that one looks like, or even what he says.

Jeremiah 17:10 (NLT), “But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

1 Samuel 16:6 and 7 (NLT), “When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the LORD's anointed!" 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Satan’s desire is to do all he can to destroy God’s Kingdom on this earth.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT), “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

John 10:10 (ESV), “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Satan’s greatest weapon is deception.

John 8:44 (NLT), “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Revelation 12:9a (NLT), “This great dragon--the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world--”

The Lord has promised to instruct, guide, and counsel those who seek Him.

Psalm 32:8 (NLT), “The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

James 1:5 tells us if we lack wisdom, we need to ask God for it, because He gives to all liberally.

Psalm 25:12, (NLT), “Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose.”

Proverbs 18:15 (Berean Study Bible), “ The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.” The heart of those who want to know the truth will seek it. It is always wise to seek to know the truth before we form opinions or make decisions.

God has given us His Holy Spirit to reveal truth. We must learn to hear His voice. John 16:13 (ESV), “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

We receive instruction and guidance from the Word of God. God’s Word as revealed by His Spirit is always right. Psalm 19:8 (ESV), “the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes”

We see very clearly the most important decision and choice we need to make is to learn the Truth according to God’s Word. Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NLT), “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, 'Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?' 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, 'Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?' 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it. 15 "Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. 17 "But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, 18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. 19 "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Isn’t it amazing to realize that God gives us the free will to choose between life and death? In verse11 we are informed that it is not too difficult for us to understand nor is it impossible!

We need only to make a quality decision to follow Him and seek His way.

You choose!

Jesus in speaking to the disciples said in John 17:17 (NASB20), “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

We can make right decisions and choices. We don’t put our trust in man for knowledge or truth. In John 5:30 (NLT), Jesus said. “I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.” Jesus sought wisdom and direction from the Father and did His will!

We need to seek wisdom from the One who has all wisdom.

We need to acquire truth from the One who is Truth.

Receive direction and guidance from Him before making decisions of what you say or do!

This should be our habitual lifestyle!

NLT New Living Testament

NKJV New King James Version

NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020

NIV New International Version

ESV English Standard Version