Decide Right or Wrong

 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25

Who decides right and wrong?  In today’s world, that decision is often based on an individual or group.  What is the danger of relying on ourselves for right and wrong?  The human heart cannot be relied upon to either assess or adhere to a sound code of morality. In Jeremiah 17: 9, the Bible clearly tells us that despite every good intention, our hearts are inherently wicked—"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?” History has shown us over-and-over again human nature cannot be relied on to consistently make right decisions.  So, what or who do we rely on to guide us in our decision making--Jesus.

Carpenters and builders use a plumb line to measure the accuracy of a structure.  A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a structure is centered. God's plumb line helps us maintain our plumb line of decision making.  When we use the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions, we most often stay centered in our lives.  But, when we rely on our own understanding, the plumb line starts wavering.

Judges 21: 25 explains there was no king to determine justice and morality at that particular time.  Even today, the plumb line of following Jesus’ way is often rejected.  We need to rely on His Word and Holy Spirit to keep accurate—Philippians 4: 7:  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Officials are guided by a plumb line as well.  Our training, rules study, past experiences, evaluations give us a center point-a plumb line.  Just as we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily decisions outside of officiating, use that same power to guide our officiating decisions.  Then, right or wrong, we have confidence in the decisions we have made-whatever the result.

Sometimes it takes a wrong turn to get you to the right place.