Making Decisions Part 2

What is one of the most important decisions you have made recently?

When you make choices in life, what do you consider?  Some of us may take into account the benefit - "What will I receive in the end?"  Others may think about the cost, whether it is in money or time.  Some people may talk to others who know more about the subject in which you are thinking about making a decision.  Most things in life require a decision: even if you decide not to decide, you have already made a decision.

Now, let us consider a few things the Bible says about making decisions.

1. Pray and look for God's guidance in all your decisions
God knows everything.  He knows what we need in our life and we can always ask God about the decisions we make.  The Wise Man Solomon, through the wisdom God gave him, wrote in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Why does it say to "lean not on your own understanding?"  Because our understanding is limited and we do not know many things.  However, God knows everything.

What does it mean "He will make your paths straight?"  God will provide you the correct way in which you need to follow, so you will not have to wonder where you are going.

Sometimes God works through providence - opening some doors and closing some others.  We do not know the future, but God does and He wants the best for us, and He will give us the best things we need.

Other times, God has expressed His guidance in the Bible.  For example, in Exodus 20:15 God says, "You shall not steal."  This verse serves as guidance so that in our lives we do not make plans to steal or take those things that do not belong to us.  So, one test you can use when you decide on something is whether you can ask God for His help and His blessing in whatever you are deciding to do.

2. Consider the consequences and the results of your decision

Another test of deciding is how the consequences of your actions (or lack thereof) will reflect on you and on others around you.  Will your actions give glory to God and Jesus?  Will your actions encourage others to become Christians or follow God?

In 1 Corinthians 6:9 we read: "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."

How can something that we do become a stumbling block for the weak?  If we are doing something allowed that is legal, allowed, but not Biblical, then, we are becoming a bad example for others.  In Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

So, everything we do, not some things, should be done in the name of God and God will bless us if in whatever we do we give thanks to God through Jesus.

"Do not be deceived.  God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7)

What does it mean that "a man reaps what he sows?"  Whatever somebody does, whether good or evil, there will be results or outcomes that will be good or evil.  Whatever we do, there are consequences that come.  Sometimes, these consequences seem only to affect us, but because of our interactions we affect others.  So these consequences extend to other people as well.

Luke 14:28: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.  Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?"  In the same way that we estimate the monetary cost of our decisions, we need to keep in mind all costs of our decisions.

3. Place every decision in the hands of God

We can do our part - sometimes the majority of the work with regards to a certain decision - but ultimately the decision is in the hands of God.  In Proverbs 19:21 we read that "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  We can do everything through God who gives us strength (see Philippians 4:13).  God knows what we need and He will gives us exactly that, at the right time that we need it.

How do we place our decisions in the hands of God?  We need to pray to God about our choices, by doing our part, and by not worrying anymore about the issues involved in our decisions.

Whenever we make decisions in our life, we need to consult with God and pray for His guidance in our life.  We also need to consider the consequences and the results of our decisions.  Finally, we need to place our choices in the hands of God, trusting that He will bless us with what we need.