Shedding Light on Choices Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Shedding Light on Choices------------------------------ Date: 10/11/2001 Keywords: "armor" "behavior" "dark" "decent" "deeds" "light" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Romans 13:11-14* 11. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Question On what criteria would you base a "decency" judgment?   Practical help Yesterday's study examined some of the wayward characteristics of darkness and encouraged you to wear an armor of light. Looking at verse 13, you see Paul expanding on the "deeds of darkness" just in case you weren't sure what they are. You might think it unnecessary that Paul mentions the details, but many (maybe even you and I) could be clueless as to what activities are morally bankrupt in God's eyes. If you haven't spent much time (or any time) in God's Word — the Bible — your sense of honor, ethics and moral purity could be altogether off base. Paul knows that's possible, so once the armor of light shines and reveals the "deeds of darkness," there's a personal evaluation to be made. Are these things decent in God's eyes? Search God's Word. He tells you about behavior that pleases him and also about behavior that doesn't. He will provide you criteria by which to test a deed so you can make a God-honoring choice. It's a one-two punch: Put on the armor of light so you can see, then — seeing things in a new light — seek God's criteria to make choices that please him. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version, © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.