I had a good conversation with a friend the other day but he said something that really concerned me. He is doing fairly well in life right now and enjoying his pursuit of success. His attitude is full of optimism. But he made a statement that literally gave me chills. He stated that he is “willing” his achievements. He is predetermining each day that he will do well. The optimism is certainly positive and influential but I believe his understanding is misled. Certainly our creator designed us with a free will. But our free will still is utilized with influence and I believe that influence is one of two things. We are either influenced by the will of God (or more appropriately in response to our fear of God) or we are influenced by the enemy which sometimes that influence can appear good. “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

The ten commandments are known as the moral law. And that moral law is embedded in your heart. I mean think about it….you feel an uneasy guilt when you lie, cheat, steal, etc. Your conscience knows even before you do it that it is wrong. This is what sets us apart from all other living creatures. I can tell you when my dog pees on my floor he feels no guilt. When a squirrel makes his way into your attic and chews on some wiring he feels no guilt. And when a bear wanders into your yard and destroys your bird feeders and tears through the trash he feels no guilt. We are unique in the fact that God created us in His image. Full of desire to do good, to love one another. Imagine a world in which all people reacted appropriately to the guilt of sin and rejected it. Every decision we make in life can be compared to God’s commandments. Does our decision help or harm another? Is our decision done in honesty or deceit? Does our decision please our creator or does it reject Him? On the day of judgment will our decisions in life be accepted as good or as bad?

Simply read the commandments and then think of your own life’s decisions. Are the decisions of your life, the things that you “will” for yourselves in line with God’s will for you or are they influenced by an enemy that responds with worldly rewards which carry no value for your eternal future? Seek God’s will in your life. Understand that He truly wants good for you but more importantly He wants your trust and love and to give you His free gift of salvation. Faith is to take a step in the same direction the evidence is taking us. Read your Bible, study it, and understand it. Do not believe the great deception that it requires interpretation. It is a literal guide to your life.