Great Bible Examples 1) From Abraham we learn the value of faith (Romans 4:16). 2) From Joseph we see how God works through His providential care (Genesis 45:5; 50:20). 3) From Job lessons of patience and endurance are clearly taught (Job 1-2). 4) From Paul lessons of examining one’s faith (Acts 26:9). 5) From Lot lessons in making the right decisions or choices (Genesis 13).

Making The Right Choices Genesis 13:11

Genesis 13:11 “Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.”

Making The Right Choices Lot & His Choice

Lot & His Choice 1) He is Abraham’s nephew. “This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot. And Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans” (Genesis 11:27-28).

Lot & His Choice 2) Lot sojourns with Abraham. “Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan” (Genesis 12:5).

Lot & His Choice 3) Lot and Abram both rich. “Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD. Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents” (Genesis 13:2-5).

Lot & His Choice 4) Problems between herdsmen. “Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left” (Genesis 13:6-9).

Lot & His Choice 5) His choice – on the surface seemed good! “And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD” (Genesis 13:10-13).

Making The Right Choices Lot & His Choice Results Of Choice

Results Of His Choice 1) There was war & kidnapping. Several kings mentioned in Genesis 14:1-10 were at war with each other. “Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed” (Genesis 14:11-12).

Results Of His Choice 2) Troubled by the conduct of the people. “and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2 Peter 2:7-8). In Genesis 19:1-11 you can read of the conduct of the citizens in Sodom.

Results Of His Choice 3) Loss of material possessions. “Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground…Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave” (Genesis 19:24,25,30).

Results Of His Choice 4) The death of his wife. “So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed…But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:17, 26).

Results Of His Choice 5) The shame of incest with his daughters. “Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father…Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day” (Genesis 19:32, 36, 37, 38).

Results Of His Choice 6) This happened though he was righteous. “and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2 Peter 2:7-8).

Making The Right Choices Lot & His Choice Results Of Choice Our Choices

Our Choices 1) Whether to follow the Lord? “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). This choice will determine where we spend eternity. It will also have a bearing on our other choices made in life.

Our Choices 2) One’s career. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). The choice that one makes can have a lasting effect upon your marriage, family, and service to God. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Our Choices 3) Our spouse. “For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband” (Romans 7:2). This decision will to a great extent determine your degree of happiness in this life. A mate should be selected that will help you get to heaven, not hinder your progress.

Our Choices 4) Your friends. “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26). “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Our Choices 5) Where you live. “Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD” (Genesis 13:12-13). Would this be a good city to raise my children? What kind of place is this morally speaking? Can I live here without the evil effects of the city influencing me to do wrong? Is there a faithful church in this city?

Making The Right Choices Lot & His Choice Results Of Choice Our Choices Right Choices

How To Make The Right Choices 1) Ask God for wisdom! “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). J.W. Roberts says, “Wisdom is the common sense to put into practice the principles and instructions given in the revelation of God’s word.”

How To Make The Right Choices 2) Seek advice from other Christians. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).

How To Make The Right Choices 3) Make decisions with the Lord in mind! “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23).

Making The Right Choices Lot & His Choice Results Of Choice Our Choices Right Choices Wrong Choice

Wrong Choice – Now What? 1) Lot followed the Lord’s instruction – he fled the city. 2) Peter went out and wept bitterly for denying the Lord (Matthew 26:75). 3) Paul accepted the forgiveness offered through the Lord for persecuting the church and became one of its most able defenders (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). 4) I must repent!!!

Wrong Choice – Now What? The wrong thing to do is to continue in the path chosen because of pride and an unwillingness to admit the wrong done!!!

Making The Right Choices Lot & His Choice Results Of Choice Our Choices Right Choices Wrong Choice