Decision Making and the Will of God

Christians want to be in the center of God's will.  Having said that, many decisions are not explicitly spelled out in Scripture.  Such as, should I take this job? Should I move away?  Should I go to this college?  Should I end this dating relationship? The following article highlights some bedrock principles and practical questions that we should seek to apply to our unique situations.

"Decision-making can be a daunting task for anyone, but Christians have the unique advantage of making decisions that are informed by God's Word. To do so, there are at least three factors to consider.

1) You must obey the moral will of God as it is revealed in the Scriptures.

If Scripture prohibits the action in question, your decision is easy: don't do it.  If God's Word says to do something- do it.  "Nevertheless not my will by Yours O Lord" should be the cry of our heart!

Likewise, if one of the options in your choice causes you to neglect something God specifically commands you to do, you are required to make the choice that will allow you to fulfill your biblical obligation. For example, if God requires you to be an active part of a local church (serving, attendance, giving) -- Hebrews 10:25 indicates that He does -- any decision that prohibits you from that is against God's revealed will. In order to uphold God's moral will in your decision making, ask yourself, "What does God's Word say about it?" If it says anything, obey that (1 John 5:3). If it says nothing, you have freedom and do not need to fear missing God's will or sinning against Him (Romans 14:2-6, 22)."  Just remember to apply principles 2 and 3 (below).

Some related questions that one should consider are as follows: I. What does the Bible have to say about this decision?  II. Who can help me better understand what God’s Word says about this decision?  III. Make sure you are not the only one who holds to your interpretation (2 Tim. 2:15).

2) Good decision-making requires that you exercise biblical wisdom. 

Such wisdom comes from a diligent study of God's Word, coupled with God's generous provision. James encourages those who lack wisdom (which is true of all of us) to "ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). To make wise decisions, you need to gather necessary information, consider all the options carefully, seek godly counsel, and then choose the option that is most sensible (Proverbs 2:1-11).  If you have godly parents you should carefully consider their wisdom/perspective (Eph. 6).  If you have faithful shepherds who know and love God's Word you should seek out their wisdom/perspective (Heb. 13:17).  Spirit-filled Christians (note 1 Peter 2-4; Eph. 5-6; Col. 3-4) are submissive to the God-ordained authority figures in their life (unless those authority figures are giving unbiblical counsel).  God's providence is a wonderful thing to latch n to when making tough decisions."

Other factors one needs to consider are as follows, "Is The Pressure of Time Forcing Me to Make a Premature Decision?  Proverbs 19:2, Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who makes haste with his feet errs.  Proverbs 21:5, The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

Related principles to remember are as follows: "1) Beware of the 'once in a lifetime' deal/opportunity and the lure of instant gratification. 2. Don’t let the fear of missing out drive your decision. 3. When in doubt, leave it out."

Shepherding Souls to have All Wisdom

"When Paul instructs Timothy in Colossians 1:28-29 on the job description of a pastor, he makes an important qualifying comment that we often overlook. He says that—as you are admonishing and teaching every man to be mature in Christ—you must achieve this in the sphere of “all wisdom.” Plainly stated, wisdom is the wise application of truth in a variety of circumstances. And any time wisdom is brought up in Scripture, God is assuming we imbed the concept of fearing God in that statement (Prov 1:7). Any true wisdom we have flows out of a God-fearing heart (Jer 32:40). You might ask, why is biblical wisdom so closely connected with fearing God? Because wisdom is not merely an intellectual category, but more importantly, it takes shape in the moral realm. Someone can be very smart, but exceedingly unwise.

To walk in the fear of the Lord means that at every moment of the day you are considering what your God would want you do and then obeying Him rather than your flesh (Rom 6:16). And the only way we know the mind of God, and what we are to obey, is through his Word (Ps 119:9-11). Therefore a wise God-fearing man slows down as he considers every word he speaks and action he takes by saying, “What would my God want me to say or do right now based on what His Word says?” Therefore, to shepherd souls to become mature in Christ “with all wisdom” requires nuanced discussion on the implications of truth for a variety of scenarios. People need us to help them consider their various circumstances, motives, tendencies, past experiences, and current spiritual state (whether mature or immature, weak, faint hearted or unruly). They need help considering what it would look like to most fear God in every decision (Prov 14:16). Then, through careful shepherding, we must show them how to apply the truth with “all wisdom” based on the providential variables.

In our “Gospel-centered” language today, sometimes we’re afraid to just consider moral and ethical principles of wisdom. We’re so fearful of creating moralists that we forget that the Bible wants our people in moral conformity to His will (Luke 17:10).