Dumb Criminal Decision-Making

Dumb Criminal Decision-Making

Daniel Courington

I have always liked dumb criminal stories. One such story that I saw at a very young age was that of a criminal who went to a convenient store to commit an armed robbery. The man asked for change for his $20 bill and the worker, obviously thinking nothing about it, opened the drawer. As soon as the drawer was open, he pulled a gun and asked her to empty the cash register. Somewhat startled, but relatively calm, the worker emptied the cash register to the man and he ran away with the money. His total take from the register was $17. The Problem? He left his $20 bill sitting on the counter.

Isn't this how Satan works? Satan wants us to make decisions that, even before the punishment comes, don't make sense. The robber in the story above was arrested almost immediately, convicted of armed robbery and spent a considerable amount of time in jail. At the end of the story, the man found himself with less money than he came with and spending time in prison. While I watched this on my television and thought about how ironic it was, I realized that this one decision would affect him not only now, but for the rest of his life. Here are a few principles about making decisions that will help us become better Christians:

When making decisions, realize the short term consequences of your actions. In the robber's mind, what was in the cash register appeared to be better than what was in his hand. The robber knew ahead of time that his chances of getting away with this wrongdoing were small to none. He committed the crime because to him, at that point in time, it was a risk he was willing to take. I doubt he considered the consequences a whole lot. There are millions of pregnant teenagers, people living with STD's, and prisoners in jail today because they did something without thinking about the consequences it would bring. Solomon wrote about the pleasures of sound wisdom and discretion. Pro 3:21-26 My son, do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion, (22) and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. (23) Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. (24) If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (25) Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, (26) for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

When making decisions, consider the long term effects of your decisions. Not only did the robber not consider the short term consequences, I highly doubt that he thought about the struggles he would face in finding a job some day or building a family. Sometimes Christians have the same problem. With salvation in our hands and heaven as our home, we see something in this temporary shelter that we like and we partake of it. Some people end up living their whole lives for themselves without making any plans for their eternal future. This world is simply temporary and as we make decisions in our homes, churches, and schools we need to make these decisions with the understanding that we are filling a temporary body that is on loan from God. As a reference to sexual sin, Paul says: 1Co 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

When making decisions, remember that your decisions affect all those around you. 1Th 2:10-13 (10) You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. (11) For you know how, like a father with his children, (12) we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (13) And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. Paul shows here that he knew his decisions and behavior would be emulated. He not only made decisions that would benefit him but decisions that would benefit all of those around him. Remember that when you go into your schools and offices wearing the name Christian, you are called to a higher responsibility in the decisions that you make. A scripture that you will hear me reference frequently, because it is my favorite scripture, fits well in this conversation: Rom 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Seek things that are above, and you and those around you will be rewarded beyond measure.

Like my mom always says: Always remember who you are and whose you are!