Man was created with the power to choose, and each person is ultimately responsible for his own choice.

Some choices look foolish but are really good and others look good but turn our to be foolish.

When Abraham’s, and Lot’s servants were quarreling over pasture land, Abraham told Lot “Please  let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren” (Gen. 13:8). When Lot was given the preference in choices, “he saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere...Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom” (Gen. 13:10,12). The choice looked good, but the consequences of that choice were disastrous for Lot’s family. It has been well said, “not everything that glitters is gold.”  The wise writer said, “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared?” (Prov. 6:27,28). People who “play with fire” usually get burned. Paul said we should “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). We can choose our actions, but not the consequences of those actions.

The choice of Moses seemed foolish, but was wise. He was Pharaoh’s grandson and surely could have enjoyed pleasure and treasure if he had remained in Egypt. If you had the choice between living in a palace and herding sheep in mountains and deserts, which choice would be wise? We know that Moses make the choice to “suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin”

sin” (Heb. 11:24). The pleasures of sin would have been temporary, but where is Moses now? (Mt. 17:1-3) Where do you suppose Pharaoh may be?

      Jesus talked about a broad way and a difficult way (Mt. 7:13,14). The gate that enters the difficult way is narrow, but the gate that enters the broad way is wide and so easy to enter! Why would anyone choose to enter a difficult way when he could enter an easy way? The reason is that choices have consequences. The way of sin leads to death (Rom. 6:23) and one who “sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption” (Gal. 6:8). The way of sinful pleasure may look good, but it is deceptive.

The choice of living for Christ may bring temporary disadvantage. A person may have hard times, just as did Moses, but “he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:8).

The Bible is filled with examples of men who made the right choices. Joshua said “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). Elijah challenged the Israelites to choose whether they would follow God or Baal, but he chose to follow God (1 Kgs. 18:21,22). In spite of all his suffering, Job said “I know that my redeemer lives” (Job 19:25).

The lures of Satan may be enticing, but God’s word is a hook-detector, and warns us against swallowing his lure.