Choices That Lead to Godliness

By Donna Morley

Book Overview

Here is an excellent book for women who want to develop the ability to make wise discerning choices. Through studies of Scripture and with a casual writing style and humor, the author challenges the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581340621
• ISBN13: 9781581340624
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Choices that Lead to Godliness

Over the last 3 months, I have been reading Donna Morley's book, Choices That Lead to Godliness, with my girls' accountability group. We read one chapter each week, and then discuss what we had read, and what we were learning. I tend to go through books fairly quickly, so, for me, 3 months was a long time to spend in one book. But, this book was well worth the time spent! Whether in the big, life-altering decisions, or the seemingly minor, everyday choices, our lives are filled with moments that call for wisdom and discernment. In the introduction, Donna points out that, "our choices shape us. They determine what we are. They shape our lives and destiny. And we'll discover - as the apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 1:9-10 - that when we seek to make the best choices, we do what is excellent - and pleasing to God." (pg. 13) Throughout the book, Donna deals directly, and biblically, with many issues that we all face as we seek to "bypass the better and choose the best" (pg. 12), and cultivate true discernment. Each chapter is full of wisdom and biblical advice on making godly choices, but I'll just highlight a few that I found especially helpful: Gossip: In the first chapter, Donna addresses an area that women, especially, tend to struggle with - our words. She says, "Scripture tells us the reason we are to be discerning with our words and to choose them carefully is so they will be "helpful for building other up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph. 4:29, NIV). This is the beginning of godly speech." (pg. 19) It is so easy to get caught up in gossipy conversations...It comes in all forms. Sometimes, it is easy to identify, while other times it catches you completely off guard. In this chapter, she identifies (from Scripture) three types of gossipers, and explains how we can avoid not only sharing gossip, but listening to it as well. Even if you are not planning to share the contents of the conversation, listening to a gossip share her "tasty morsels," without confronting the gossiper, or defending the object of the gossip is still harmful. We would be wise to remember that "death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Proverbs 18:21) Friendships: "Some of us seldom think seriously about the role of friendships." (pg. 50) But, Proverbs 12:26 tells us "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray." (NASB) We need to be mindful of the impact that our friends will have on us - both for good and bad. I tend to want all of my friendships to involve deep, spiritually-challenging conversations. And, I become extremely disappointed when my friends "let me down" in this area. But, Donna pointed out that, while we should be careful to choose friends who will sharpen us, and influence us toward godliness, not all friendships (even among believers) will be spiritual friendships. They cannot all reach the same level of spiritual depth. Wh