How Will Our Decisions Affect Others?

One of the biggest mistakes we make in life is forgetting how much our actions influence the people around us. Every day we are tempted to make decisions that may be the best thing for us but could have a devastating affect on the people around us. If we want to make wise decisions, we need to ask, “Will our choice harm other people?”

That’s the opposite of our culture. Our culture teaches us to think only of ourselves. But God expects us to think more of others than we do ourselves. In fact, the Bible says that one day we’re going to be judged by God on how our decisions affected other people.

Romans 14:12-13 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong”.

We may not like hearing this, but whether we like it or not, we are being watched — all the time. If we’re a parent, we should be especially aware that little eyes are always watching us. We’ve got to be careful about what we say and do because we’re influencing not just our life but the next generation as well.

Show respect for authority. If a police officer pulls you over for a ticket, even if we think he’s wrong, we treat him with respect. Don’t call in sick when our family is actually going to the beach for the day. Don’t brag in front of your kids about all the ways you’re ripping off Uncle Sam in taxes. Don’t watch the awful stuff that’s on TV and in the movies with your kids. Think about if you should be watching it at all.

Mature people limit their freedoms for the benefit of others. Because we’re afraid of what other people think? Of course not. We do it out of love. In situations where there is no clear right or wrong, we have to ask ourselves, “How will my decision affect other people?”

My Challenge for us today is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our life daily to help us STOP and think of how our decisions will not only effect ourselves but the people watching!