I’ve recently diagnosed myself with something called the “Why Not?” syndrome. This is something that many Americans suffer from, especially those of us who have lived somewhat easy lives (otherwise known as basically all Americans. Don’t believe me? Read the book of Job). The symptoms of this disease are rather simple: when we are forced to make decisions, we often answer: “why not?”

This may not seem like a very fatal disease, but that is part of what makes it so dangerous. The disease takes root in our hearts when we fail to see the significance of our decisions.

“Let’s stay out just a few minutes past curfew.” …. “Why not?”

“Should I have one more bowl of ice cream?” …. “Why not?”

“You should come stay the night at my apartment.” …. “Why not?”

“Are you still watching this show?” …. “Why not?”

“Do you want to smoke some weed just this once?” …. “Why not?”

“Tell this little white lie, there are no consequences except that you get to keep yourself out of trouble.” …. “Why not?”

Over and over and over again we are faced with decisions that seem harmless. We have no clear sinful intent behind our unwise decisions and we may not even really feel a strong temptation to do anything wrong. We simply do it “just ’cause”. We don’t see the harm in such little decisions, especially because we have no malicious intent behind our actions. So we just do it. And most of the time, at least on the surface, it stops there. Nothing bad happens, and so we continue on in our lives of “why not’s”.

No one truly falls into an egregious sin. Every act of adultery started with a stray lustful thought. Every murder began with a little spark of anger. Every alcoholic started with a one drink. Every broken relationship started with a simple lie or half-truth. Every life-changing atrocity of a sin started with a “why not?” C.S. Lewis so profoundly said that “the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” Nobody sets out to end up in prison or destroy their relationship with their kids. It happens slowly, as we continue to brush aside the consequences of our actions…and all the while our heart hardens to the sinful tendencies within us.

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For us the battle is made up of a thousand little moments – choices between self and service. We fall, not when we face death, but when we face a traffic jam.” – Tim Chester

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Next time you ask yourself the question: “why not?”, take the time to truly consider what the answer may be. There are no insignificant choices in the face of a Holy God. Why not stay out a few minutes past curfew? Because it begins to plant a seed of rebellion within your heart. Why not have one more bowl of ice cream? Because it sets you on a path of gluttony. Why not stay at your girlfriends apartment for one night? Because the sexual temptation that looms may be more than you can bear. Why not continue to watch that show? Because it feeds into your laziness and constant need for entertainment. Why not indulge in the mystery of weed just this once? Because the destructive effects that could follow are not now within your sight. Why not save yourself some conflict with one little white lie? Because it creates a habit of comfort over truth, a slippery slope that leads to death.

To take this a step further, I think we are asking the wrong question. Perhaps, moving forward, there is a better question for us to ask ourselves than “why not?” Instead, every time we are faced with a decision, we should ask ourselves “Why?” Hebrews 12:1 calls us to “Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The Christian does not live a life of seeing how close we can get to “the line”. It is a life of running as far away from the line as we possibly can. Don’t ask yourself “why not?”, ask yourself “why?” Is the thing you’re doing helping you run with endurance the race that is set before you, or does it weigh you down?

Our lives are significant. Not because we are going to change the world, but because we live before the face of a great and glorious God. We are soldiers in a war (2 Tim. 2:4, Eph. 6:13) and runners in a race (2 Tim. 2:5, 1 Cor. 9:24-27). Every choice we make should press us on toward that goal as we continue to fix our eyes on the prize before us. Everything we say and do and think should help us to gain Christ. We should pursue Him with all that we have as if nothing else matters (Phil. 3:8-10).

Break free from the “why not” syndrome. This is a sickness whose path leads to death. To treat this disease, join Paul in asking yourself, “Why?” And if the answer is not “This helps me to treasure Christ”, then perhaps what you’re doing isn’t just useless, but an encumbrance holding you back from the infinite joy offered to us in Christ.

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It is better to lose your life than to waste it. – John Piper

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