What do I want to wear today; the blue
shirt or the red one? Does God
care? Maybe today He does. Should I take that job at the store or stay
home to raise the kids? Does God want a
say in that decision or is it all on me to make? What about deciding which church to go to,
where to live, what to eat, what to buy to eat, how to serve, who to love, what
to watch and all those other decisions we have that fill up our lives.
Honestly, I am not a strong decision
maker. One time my sister and I (we are
very similar) stood over 20 min. looking at cakes in the store trying to decide
which one to buy for my Mom’s birthday.
In the end our brother walked up, asked what was taking so long, and
when we told him our concerns, he made the decision for us and we left.
It is great when we can allow someone
else to make decisions for us- like what’s for supper, but most of the time we
have to work it out- though we don’t have to do it alone. The Lord helps us by giving us His Spirit
(Jh. 14:16 ,17), “…when He, the
Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth….” (Jh. 16:13) and His Word, “Your Word is a lamp to
my feet, and a light to my path.” (Ps. 119:105). With those two things, we have a lot of
guidance. Here are a few steps to
consider:
(remember, some decisions should
be made as a couple)
Pray on the Decision
-Seek God first
But seek first the kingdom
of God
-Submit yourself to God and His will
God resists the proud, but He
gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit yourselves to God… Jm. 4:6,7
Decisions are an act of the will, and they are always
influenced by the mind, the emotions, or both.
Determine: do I choose to please myself, or do I choose to
please the Lord?
Be ready to accept and obey His answer
Write out the decision being made (if needed)
-Most decisions are usually about an action
in a moral (revealing or non-revealing shirt) or non-moral area (colour of
shirt)
-moral decisions can easily be found in the
Word
Ex.: In the same way also, I
desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and
sensibleness… 1Tm. 2:9
-Or it could be a personal (related to work) or family decision (which church to attend)
-Other factors involved
Seek direction
-Use God’s Word
I will instruct you and teach you
in the way which you should go; I will counsel you, My eye shall be on
you. Ps. 32:8;
What man is he who fears
Jehovah? He shall teach him in the way that he shall choose. Ps. 25:12
-Get practical and personal information that
relates
Ask
questions like: who is involved, what is expected, where it is, when is the
timing, why do I want to do this, how will it affect my family
-Get advice from more experiences counsel
Without wisdom, purposes are
defeated, but by many wise men they are established. Pr. 15:22
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to
advice is wise. Pr. 12:15
Prioritize God’s priorities for your
life
-Do you want God’s will above your own, your
own desires or the will of others? Jesus did.
(Jesus said) …not My will, but Yours be done.
Lk. 22:42
For I came down from Heaven, not
to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me. Jh. 6:38
-Will the outcome of your decision draw you
closer to God? Will it glorify him in your life? How will it impact those
around you? Is your intention to please God?
There is a way which seems right
to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death. Pr. 14:12
(Jesus said) For whoever shall do
the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother.
Mt. 12:50
Weigh it out
-pros, cons on all the information gathered
If
anything in the list violates the Word of God it is NOT His will.
-your spiritual priorities
Pray on it again with all the
information available
-Heed the applicable Word, to the Spirit and
reconsider all the information.
-Ask the Lord to direct your paths and wait
quietly before Him.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths. Pr. 3:6
Rest in Jehovah, and wait
patiently for Him… Ps. 37:7
-Make the decision
Sometimes
there is more than one good action to take according to all the above. In that case, God is likely allowing you the
freedom to choose for yourself.
Make the decision and act on it
-After all this, trust God in His help with your decision and that He is working in
and through you for His purpose in life.
Delight yourself also in Jehovah, and He shall give
you the desires of your heart. Ps. 37:4
For it is God who works in you
both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Php. 2:13
Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to
the glory of God.
1Cr. 10:31