Decisions, Decisions...

All of us have made big decisions that we later realized wasn’t the best choice. Think about one of those specific decisions. Now think, were the determining factors in making that decision? Did you take someone else’s advice? Was it what your friends were doing? Peer pressure? Did you follow your heart? Your feelings? Did you think it would make you happy?
 
In Acts chapter 1 this Sunday, Peter decided they needed to replace Judas with another man who was qualified to fill that apostolic office. But did you notice his determining factor? He based his decision on the inspired Word of God as he prayerfully considered what God had to say. The Word of God gave Peter clear application for making that decision as a leader.
 
As believers, when we go to make a decision, the first and natural thing we should do is ask ourselves, “Does God’s Word say anything about this decision I’m about to make?”

Boy, I tell you what, had I considered what God’s Word had to say before making decisions when I was a young man, it would’ve prevented a ton of unnecessary stress and problems in my life. I realized this after I got saved and started reading through the book of Proverbs. It was hidden wisdom finally revealed to me! That book became like a father to me (which is no surprise because it’s written as a father’s instruction to his son).
 
I’ll tell you about one of my poor decisions. Before I should have, I bought the big, fancy truck of my dreams. I had a solid job at the time, but the decision was based more on the pursuit of happiness than anything else and in the end, I was left as Proverbs says, “the borrower is slave to the lender.”  That truck glued me to that job, making me fearful of losing my job. It also prevented me from being able to freely serve the Lord wherever He might eventually call me. I could not really be available to go anywhere for the Lord as long as my taskmaster was the bank. And I was willing to go anywhere!
 
This world says, “Buy now and pay later!” but Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first His kingdom and righteousness and the rest will be given to you.” Now, with biblical wisdom and hindsight, I see what they mean by “pay for it later” because 1 Timothy 6:6-10 says those who desire riches pierce themselves with many griefs. Living and operating by the wisdom of the Word would relieve so many unnecessary problems and struggles in life and marriages.
 
Another example: Let’s suppose a single Christian is thinking about dating someone they’re attracted too. In that situation, it is easy to make a decision based on feelings alone. Before the single Christian does anything, they should consider the clear precepts of God’s Word: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” 1 Corinthians 7:39 says to marry only in the Lord. A man named Esau in the OT disregarded this kind of advice by marrying outside the Lord and it made life bitter for his family (Gen. 26:34-35). Remember, decisions affect not only us, but our relationship with God and those around us.
 
The best thing you can do to start making the solid decisions and operating consistently according to a Christian worldview, is to get to know your Bible. I know that reading the Bible through and getting familiar with your Bible can be a daunting task, but think of it this way – by reading only 3 chapters a day, you can read through the whole Bible in one year! Whenever you start a new job, there’s always new manuals to read and learn. As believers, it’s important that we get to know God’s manual for life. Jesus uses people of the Word, who know it and live it.
 
When you go to make that next big decision:

1. Consider what God’s Word has to say about it.
2. Consult with other mature Christians who know the Word.
3. Consider how this will affect your relationship with God and your family.
4. Pray for wisdom. (James 1:5)
5. Wait patiently.
6. Make a list of the positives and negatives & ask yourself: Is it wise?

In Christ with you,

Pastor Justin