The Price Of Freedom: Choosing Wisely

Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak

1 Corinthians 8:9

Freedom is a dangerous word.

We are free to choose. We are therefore free to act.

Yet the consequences that arise from our actions we are not free to evade. Just as we know that when we trip we will fall, we know that when we act we will invite consequence.

We need no great insight to understand that this is the order of things.

Nor are the consequences of our actions borne by us alone. As we do not live in isolation, neither do we act in isolation, and neither are the consequences of our actions borne in isolation. Even if we act alone, the consequences are often shared.

If I strike another in anger, one consequence will likely be that I will have to answer for that assault, and at least pay a fine. However, he whom I strike also bears a consequence—he must bear the injury and the indignity that comes from being struck. The action may be mine, but that consequence of injury and indignity is surely his.

We need but only a moment’s reflection to understand that this is also the order of things.

Nor are the consequences borne by others as simple as them being the direct result of our actions. Some consequences arise long after our actions are completed. Some consequences arise long after our words are spoken.

As we do not live in isolation, and as we do not act in isolation, it follows that many if not all of our actions are witnessed by others. The words we speak are heard by others, to be either accepted or rejected. Our actions may set in motion chains of events which touch a good many more lives besides our own.

It follows, then, that as our actions can impose consequences upon others, our actions necessarily become a call for choosing by others. If I strike another, that person must choose whether to defend himself or no, and must choose again whether to strike back or no.

Our actions thus have the potential to become the predicate for someone else’s choices, and the catalyst for someone else’s actions.

If our actions invite consequence down upon our own heads, it follows that the actions of others invites consequence down upon their heads.

But if our actions become the predicate for someone else’s choices and thus the catalyst for someone else’s actions, as their choices and their actions are thus a consequence of our actions, so too are the consequences of our actions invited down upon their heads.

Our actions have the potential not only to inflict consequence upon others directly, but indirectly as well.

People are accountable for their actions and thus for their choices. I must account for all that I do, and for all that I choose to do.

Yet as we do not live in isolation, no choice is ever made in isolation. My choices are often influenced by the actions of others, which is to say by the choices of others. It necessarily follows that my actions (and therefore my choices) influence the choices and therefore the actions of others.

I am not accountable for the choices of others, nor for the actions of others. Yet because I must account for my actions I am accountable for influencing the choices and therefore the actions of others. If my actions influence others to make a particular choice or go down a particular path, I must account for having that influence.

I do not want to make bad choices or go down a wrong path. Necessarily it follows that I do not want to encourage others to make bad choices or go down a wrong path. To the contrary I want to encourage others to make good choices and go down the right path.

Therefore I must be mindful in my choices, and in my actions. I must be mindful of the influences others likely have on my choices, and guard against influences leading to bad choices and wrong actions. I must be mindful also of the influence my choices may have on others, and guard also against being an influence on others leading to bad choices and wrong actions.

It is not enough to consider whether an action is right or wrong in its own right. I must give thought also to how others are likely to see that action, and what conclusions they are likely to draw from it.

I must acknowledge that if I am seen as selfish, unkind, unjust, or in any way “not good”, I surely have played a part in others seeing me that way.

I must acknowledge that if I wish to be seen as generous, kind, just, and in all ways “good”, I will surely play a part in others seeing me that way.

My choices and therefore my actions are not made either good or bad solely on the perceptions of others, but I must acknowledge that the perceptions of others is an element in determing which choice the good choice, and which action is the right action.

I must acknowledge that how others hear my words plays a part in determining what words I should use. I must not shy away from speaking truth, yet I must always strive to use the best words possible, and strive also to avoid words which may be taken wrongly.

I must not shy away from acting in a true, just, and righteous fashion, yet I must acknowledge that acting in a true, just, and righteous fashion includes acting in ways that are less likely to be misinterpreted or misunderstood.

I must acknowledge that perception, while not the sum of reality, is nevertheless a part of reality.

If I wish to be God’s shining light to the world, I must give careful thought to how and where I radiate that light. I must choose and act in ways which not only match the example I wish to set, but which are readily seen to match that example.

If I wish my life to be a testimony of what is good and righteous, I must give careful thought to all that I say and do, that my choices—my words and actions—are good and righteous but are also readily seen as good and righteous.

At all times, I must be mindful to see the actions of others, and to hear their words. If my choice is to influence others to make certain choices and move down certain paths, I must be attentive to their actions and their words, that I might see that they are making those choices and moving down those paths. If my influence proves to be other than what I wish, I must adapt accordingly.

Thus we can see that consequence is more than just a single entity. Consequence is a neverending chain of choices and actions, all arising from the singular choices we make and the singular actions we take. Each choice, begetting each action, gives rise to its own unique consequential chain.

Once a choice is made, once the action is taken, the chain of consequence begins, and must run its course. The taking of an action is the initiation of the chain of consequence.

The only control any of us can have over that chain of consequence is in the action which starts the chain unfolding. Once we act, consequence must proceed as it will to the very end.

What we are forced to realize when we look at these consequential chains is that our control, our influence over any and all outcomes is limited solely to the scope of what we can choose for ourselves. No choice we make can ever dictate anyone’s actions but our own. At the same time, the choices we make can influence the choices and actions of others. Thus our influence coincides with our ultimate impotence.

If we are to choose well, and especially if we are to set the good example for others, we must be mindful of that influence we have even as we accept our ultimate impotence. People will do as they choose to do, but the reality of our influence does not let us completely off the hook if we inspire others to do a wrong thing.

We are reminded when we look at these consequental chains that man is eternally a social animal. We do not exist in isolation. We exist in families, in communities, in societies. What we do as individuals invariably impacts others, even as we are impacted by what others do.

We are free. We are free to choose, and we are free to act.

Yet to obtain the consequences we desire, we must choose wisely and act rightly. To achieve that which we want, we must be mindful and deliberate.

The eternal price of freedom: we must choose wisely.