by: Dr. Allen Domelle
Genesis 13:10
“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.”
The decision that Lot made in the verse above completely changed his future. He probably did not know that his choice would have so much power. His one choice led to losing his wife, two daughters and sons-in-law. His one choice led to immoral conduct with his two remaining daughters. His one choice led his life from one of promise to one of ill repute. Nobody ever thinks of Lot without thinking of what sin did to his life. Sadly, any good that he did in his life was never recorded because of that one choice.
I have seen scores of people throughout my ministry destroy their lives through one decision; they never thought their choice would become so destructive. Many times, these people who made these bad choices at the time thought it was a promising one only to learn later that it was the worst decision of their life. We can learn from Lot and the scores of people who through one choice turned a life of promise into a life of turmoil. The verse above shows us the rationale of Lot’s destructive choice.
First, he chose by convenience. It was more convenient to pitch his tent toward the well-watered plains than it was to choose a land where he would have to toil to feed his flocks. Convenience is never a part of the will of God. Many times God’s choice won’t be convenient, but it will always be right. Convenience should never be the basis of any decision.
Second, he chose by pleasure. The green grass of Sodom and Gomorrah looked much more pleasurable than the desert land of Canaan. Friend, what may look like green grass could be weeds. Just because something may feel right doesn’t make it right. Never make choices based on feelings, because those feelings don’t take God’s Word into consideration.
Third, he chose by sight. There wasn’t one time when Lot made a choice based on faith. Every choice you make should be a decision of faith. Any decision that does not involve faith is sin. Your eyes can deceive you, but waiting to make a decision by faith will always reveal the right path you should choose.
Fourth, he chose the path of least resistance. There seemed to be less work if he chose the plains over the land of Canaan. Sometimes the path of greatest resistance is the right path. You will miss some of the greatest opportunities that God has for you if you always choose the path of least resistance. God has a better opportunity to reveal Himself through you through the path of greatest struggle. I’m not saying that the path of least resistance is always wrong, but you should never base your decision off this parameter.
What Lot thought was convenient became inconvenient. What he thought would be pleasurable became a heartache. What he thought would be the path of least resistance, became the path of great resistance. Never allow your flesh, feelings or intuitions to be the basis for any decision, but every decision must be made by principles based upon Scriptures.