Anatomy of a Bad Choice

Scripture:
Genesis 25:34, “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew and he ate and drank and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”

Observation:
Esau made a horrible decision. As the oldest in his family, he was entitled to the birthright — the majority of the family inheritance and, more importantly, the honor and responsibility for leading the family after the death of his father. But one day, on an impulse, he gave it away. He traded the lasting spiritual blessing of leadership for the immediate gratification of a temporary need — the birthright for a bowl of soup. After the bowl of soup was gone, he despised the birthright. He regretted his choice deeply and every time he thought about the birthright and all that he lost, he was remorseful and mad at himself — ever reminded of the consequences of his foolish choice. It took years to undo what he chose to do in the heat of that moment, and some of the consequences he never got over.
 
Application:
Every day I have to make choices about my own life. I don’t want to choose poorly like Esau. A poor choice is made when I exaggerate my need. Esau convinced himself if he didn’t eat right then he would die. That was not true. And impulse choices are most often poor choices. I will also choose poorly if I listen to my body and flesh rather than making a choice based on a bigger picture. My flesh cries out for immediate satisfaction of a passing need — hunger, thirst, sex, pleasure, all are things my flesh might demand. But my physical desires must be governed by a higher spiritual truth and passion. I can either do life my way listening to my urges and fulfilling my own immediate desires; or I can do life God’s way walking after His purposes and desires. I will also make a poor choice if I don’t consider the consequences past the heat of the moment. Giving in to poor choices haunts you. If I buy something I can’t afford and put it on credit, every month I’m reminded of my foolish and costly mistake. In the same way, when I make a sinful choice the consequences haunt me too. Though God can forgive me in an instant through Christ, the result of my sin sometimes lingers. Like Esau I can lose money, relationships, peace, rest, joy, and then experience anger at myself along with a load of guilt that is overwhelming.
 
Prayer:
Lord, I ask you to help me choose wisely. Today as I make decisions, would you help me to get beyond impulses and the desire for immediate satisfaction of my temporary needs and let me see the downside of sin, which ruins my life. Remind me today Lord to look to you and to your way. Father, remind me to stop and seek your wisdom, guidance and counsel before I make any choice that could have devastating consequences for me and my family and church. I thank you for your Holy Spirit who lives inside of me to guide me. Speak clearly and loudly through Him in my life. God, I want my choices to make you glad and bring you glory. Help me today to choose wisely and make decisions that lead to blessing and not regret.

— Chip Henderson, senior pastor