We live in a world that tells us, "You can decide what is right and wrong." This deceptive concept is nothing new, as it is the same decision Adam and Eve made—to choose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil rather than the tree of life.

They were tempted by the serpent—just as we are still to this day—to believe the lie that the only way to know what is right and wrong for us is by our own experience and authority. The truth is, however, we are given a choice and can stand in the grace of our loving and all-knowing powerful God.

In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God promises us: "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 you're descendants might live! 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" (NLT).

I’ve heard an analogy that’s been used many times over the years: that our lives are like a 12-ounce pop can. Every time we choose to live by our own ways, we are led astray by deception and sin and receive a dent in our can. In repentance and by the power of God's grace and forgiveness, the dents in our can and our relationship with God can be popped back into place, but the consequences of our choices still stand. Just as it is with dents in the can, it is impossible to smooth out the scars from our sins, no matter how hard we try. God will forgive us and by his grace and Spirit we can overcome, but there will always be physical consequences for sin.

The lesson to be learned is that sin is not something to experiment with and it only brings damage. We can be eternally thankful for a loving and merciful God who removes our sins and restores us to Him by our Savior Jesus Christ. We can and should choose God’s wonderful way of life. Humbly submitting to Him as the authority of our lives leads to a fulfilling relationship of trust and security with God the Father and Jesus Christ. With that in place and by studying His Word daily to learn his definition of right and wrong, we strengthen our will against sin and walk the path toward eternal life in God’s family.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).