“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. $34.95 SALE! “This Week at Unlocking the Bible” features new articles, radio programs, devotionals, and ministry updates, Judy Allen is an area director of Community Bible Study…. In some circumstances, God will speak to us specifically about our choices, while in others he seems to be silent. What Does the Bible Say About Decision Making? No longer. When making financial decisions, we need to sit down and perform some calculations, considering all costs. Ask the Lord to forgive you for making the decision and where possible, rectify the situation as the Lord instructs you. Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him. She had helped this individual quite a bit, and she could afford to continue her aid, but she was beginning to wonder if that was the right thing to do. Proverbs 24:27 reminds us there’s an order to certain things. There will be times the Lord will require something of you which makes you uncomfortable; it will move you past your comfort zone. Genesis 24:67. The fact that I am accountable only to Jesus is a tremendous relief to me. Will the decision you’re making require you to stop doing the very things God has asked of you? When we let self-interest direct our decisions, we have lost track of love and forfeited the influence of Jesus. A right heart is a heart of love for the Lord that is motivated by the gospel. Will everyone agree with it? Perhaps, you need to ask the Lord to cleanse your heart of any impure motives before making the decision. How should I best advise a friend or my child? If the thing you’re seeking to do doesn’t glorify God, your answer should be a resounding no. They require obedience to and dependence upon God. As we talked, it became clear that she should let her actions flow from her heart of love for God and for her parents. Photo Credit: Thinkstock-m-imagephotography, “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4). “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14). If you don’t have peace, I suggest you wait. The hiring manager told me there was quite a bit of travel involved with the job. And when we are confronted with decisions and hesitate, the decision is usually made for you, by default. Guideline #1: Face your decision. Ultimately, we are accountable to no one but Jesus. Each day of this plan provides a real-life case study on a tough decision, plus biblical decision-making principles that you can take to work. 0. At some point in life, all of us will be faced with decisions so difficult we don't know where to turn. Peter, at one point, looked over his shoulder at another disciple, and said, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? In fact, decision-making ability differentiates between poor and good, and between good and great, leaders. Proverbs 21:5. A counselor can help us see from a different perspective because sometimes we’re just too close to the situation. She wants to honor her parents, but to serve one of them seems to inflict discomfort on the other. In my friend’s case, she decided to continue giving aid. The Bible is filled with countless reminders that the Lord loves us, and that His Presence covers us, goes before us, and hems us in from behind. You and I have a lot of decisions to make every day. We all follow leaders. The Jews in Jesus’ day followed God’s Law, sometimes a convenient interpretation of the Law, and many of them had neglected to follow God himself. Ask about making decisions: Is God asking that we may make a mistake that will go against God’s will in making every-day decisions?… Ex. My friend worries about her father’s well-being, and her attempts at conversation with her mother about her father’s state are stymied. Using my example above about buying the car, it would have been foolish if I’d tried to buy the vehicle without first having a job or looking into car insurance rates. The exile of Israel was a time when God loved his people with steel. “There are six things the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him.” (Proverbs 6:16). Today we have God’s Word, truth breathed out for our faith and spiritual benefit (2 Timothy 3:16). Don’t make a move until you hear clearly from the Lord. “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” (Proverbs 24:27). 7 Session Bible Study. If God led you to the decision, one would think He would also give you peace in the decision. For example, we don’t need to ask the Lord if we should sin: the answer is already in the Bible. Another friend of mine was providing assistance to someone who needed help. Sometimes I will need to defend my decision to those who disagree, and Jesus will help me do that. If you don’t have peace, wait on the Lord. How can we use the Bible to make the right decisions? I don’t want anything that isn’t His will for my life. Making good decisions is a crucial skill, and the good news is, as believers in Jesus Christ, we’re not in this alone. Other times, I’ll ask the Lord to close any opportunity that isn’t from Him. Decisions are an act of the will, and they are always influenced by the mind, the emotions, or both. So, before making a significant decision, count the spiritual, emotional, and financial costs of that decision. Before you do anything else, get God’s perspective on the issue. Tough Decisions – Meditation Guide. It’s at those times that we need to apply practical wisdom. To not change your major to business or environmental studies or to pick a certain job over another. Questions I’ve brought to Jesus have been similarly difficult to pin down. All rights reserved. When Jesus made breakfast for his disciples after he rose from the dead, he and Peter took a walk. We’re fallible people, and we’ll make mistakes along the way. ... 13 thoughts on “ 20 Bible Verses on Wisdom and Making Tough Decisions ” Curtis Poor says: July 6, 2015 at 3:00 pm Reply. God tells us to put Him first, to obey Him and thus choose eternal life and blessings (Matthew 6:33; Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Photographer: Mike Boehmer Making Tough Decisions Proverbs 20:24 "A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?" A friend recently described a situation that she didn’t know how to handle. We deny ungodliness and worldly desires in light of the blessed hope of Christ’s return (Titus 2:11-13), trusting that His promises concerning eternity are true. As a Christian, my desire is to follow Jesus more closely and to let other influences fade. A recently published study asked people to make tough life decisions by flipping a coin. Interested in a few simple guidelines that will help you decide? When in doubt, leave it out. The Bible is replete with the knowledge to help us make wise decisions. He first changes our hearts, and our behavior will follow. The Bible does not, however, give specific guidance about many types of life decisions, including making career choices. I have found that when we carry rebellion in our hearts about a particular topic, that rebellion opens the door to confusion. For instance, when I wanted to buy a car, I could afford the payment. A lot of family and friends turned against me, I was asked to leave my church, I lost my reputation—and all I was doing was teaching a Bible study! Ultimately, the best way to make decisions is through a relationship with the Holy Spirit because He leads us into all truth. Jesus gave us a far better option, for he works in us from the inside-out. I am beginning this study with the assumption that most of us have known these verses for a long time. As you study Bible verses about decisions, one clear theme you’ll observe time-and-time again is your need for godly counsel to make wise choices. What should she do? A special note to those who’ve already made a wrong decision and are now reaping the consequences: pray. I was looking for a new job, and the perfect opportunity presented itself. In him I am approved in God’s sight, apart from anything I do. https://media.blubrry.com/lbfchurch/p/lbf.church/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TheChristianContrastW27.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download Below are 7 Bible verses that can be used for making tough decisions: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5). These three different categories all involve some important decisions, but some have a greater impact than others, particularly those decisions of Prudence and Righteousness. Unfortunately, sometimes the things God hates are the very things we find ourselves tempted by. Seeking help from counselors will help you succeed in life. Not only would it take me away from my young children, but it would also prevent me from teaching Bible study on Wednesdays. When we have a relationship with the Lord, our spirits are more attuned to His, and we can more easily and readily discern His will. The first thing to do to follow Jesus more closely is to examine our hearts. 4. It is a short course in knowing God’s will for your life. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7). If the Lord hates it, we would be wise to stay away from it. The Bible is replete with the knowledge to help us make wise decisions. While the Bible teaches that we reap what we’ve sown (Galatians 6:7), God is faithful and just. If the particular decision requires lying or deception, you can rest assured the Lord isn’t leading you to make the decision. Maybe the decision wasn’t the best, but Jesus will redeem the results of that too. It’s often a slow process, and even if the answer isn’t completely clear to me, I never fail to learn something about God, about prayer, about myself, and my faith invariably grows. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Bible is especially designed to help us make the most important decision, the decision to repent, change and follow Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives (Acts 2:38; 1 John 2:6). Here are 10 Powerful Verses for When You're Making Tough Decisions: I teach Bible study every Wednesday at my church. make decisions. What does God’s Word say? Copyright © 2020, iBelieve.com. If you have a testimony or story you would like to share or if you have a prayer request, please use the form below. When we are tempted with things we know are displeasing to the Lord, we need to reject them—quickly. Most of us follow some combination of our peers, people we admire, advertising, media outlets, and most importantly for Christians, Jesus. God isn’t going to encourage us to sin. In a interview with Parade magazine on May 18, 2008 US Senator Jim Webb tells a few stories about what helped form his ideas on decision… Righteous decisions are usually a lot more straight forward to make, and although some are more complex, it's fair to say that most are black and white. To follow Jesus more closely, we start with a heart of love, ask the Lord for guidance for specific decisions, and remember that we are accountable only to him. Solomon made both wise and foolish decisions in his own life, and the wisdom God inspired him to record in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes make a helpful decision-making Bible study. Kyle White. I turned down the job, and within a month, the Lord blessed me with a different job working from home. I don’t kid myself that I can brush off all of the other imprints, but I want Jesus’ influence on me to become irresistible. One of the first things a Christian should do when faced with a tough decision is to pray. Christians are faced with making wise decisions every day. You must follow me” (John 21:22). We have the tremendous privilege of asking Jesus what we should do. When I pray, I always ask the Lord to reveal His will concerning the issue at hand. If you don’t know which decision to make, the advice of a wise, trusted counselor can help you. July 6, 2015 June 29, 2015. Share. Don’t let the fear of missing out drive your decision. Photo Credit: GettyImages/fizkes In Jesus’ day to follow him meant to literally walk with him, to watch how he lived his life, to observe his interactions, to learn from him, and to follow his lead. The process of decision-making includes making a judgment about an attitude or action. With her heart full of love, she will determine what love for her parents looks like in this situation. And it starts when we walk with him in making the small decisions. 10 Bible verses for when you're facing a tough decision. Carey Lodge 02 May 2016 | 10:15 AM. I knew I didn’t want to pay for premium gasoline, which helped me decide against a few models I liked. I didn’t need to ask the Lord if I should take the job. For example, he wrote: “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the … Read these Top 27 Bible Verses-Making Tough Decisions … Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. We have the four Gospels as a written record of his actions, the rest of the Bible as inspired guidance, and we have the gift of the Holy Spirit. When you’re trying to make a significant decision, ask yourself if it glorifies God or self. Many times, the Lord will answer my prayer by giving me a Scripture which answers my prayer. But God’s word has clear guidance for us. Probably not. The love of God is, thankfully, merciful, and he is gracious to offer his love to encourage and strengthen us. Whether it’s about your career, marriage, finances, health, or children, there is a simple, workable plan for making biblical decisions that will keep you on track toward pursuing God’s dream for your life. He often uses other people, such as family, friends, mentors, and the church for wise instruction and advice. If you will learn what this passage really is teaching, and begin to apply it in your daily life, it will make a profound difference when you come to make those really tough decisions. “For which of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28). What does the Bible say about making tough decisions? Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. We’ll claim not to know what to do about a given situation when really, we don’t want to do what the Bible commands. How should I respond to an individual who hurt me? by Charles G. Moore 1. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.”. He’s with us always and promises to show us the way. If so, you should pray and inquire of the Lord. It could be that the thing you want to do isn’t evil or wicked; it’s just that your motives aren’t pure. However, peace is a fruit of the Spirit. But when I factored in the maintenance costs of and premium gasoline prices for specific makes and models, I was able to narrow my choices. The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. A wise counselor can help her see him more clearly and make the best decision. It is deceptively simple: just ask. Three Steps to Follow Jesus in Making Tough Decisions Step 1: Start with a right heart. If the Bible speaks on the topic, we don’t need to pray and fast about our decisions first. Unfortunately, many people don’t do first things first. But it’s a little more complicated than that. Here’s another tip: do you have peace in the decision? ... Daily-Bible-Verse.net was created to help you easily find those answers by providing a fresh Bible verse each day with an easy-to-understand Bible commentary. 1. There are several good options for use of my time; which one would be the most fruitful? Finally, big decisions must be committed to God. Pixabay. Add to Cart View Cart. We will never sell or misuse your information. “A man is a fool to trust himself! They may also force their own meaning on the Scripture they read. When I decided to go into ministry it wasn’t a popular decision. Jesus said that we are to love God and our neighbors, and that “all the Law and the Prophets hang” on those two commandments (Matthew 22:40). God never asks us to face the struggles and tough decisions alone. They merely jump and do whatever they want and trust God to work everything together for their good (taking Romans 8:28 out of context in the process). Applying biblical principles to the everyday issues you face and making tough decisions is a common challenge for all of us. There are many other tips I could add here: wait on the Lord, step out in faith, be led by the Holy Spirit, and fast being four of them. Photo Credit: GettyImages/KatarzynaBialasiewicz, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). They proved that an outside-in approach, following the Law to follow God, simply doesn’t work. An important element to making good decisions is to make sure that you are completely submitted to God’s ultimate plan for your life. The participants were making these decisions on the margin, meaning they … Life used to be simple. Beware of the “once in a lifetime” deal and the lure of instant gratification. However, there are times when we’re faced with making tough decisions. Let’s take a look at 10 practical tips from Scripture. Having faith to trust in God's wisdom is the key to making the right decisions. Decision making is one of leadership’s core competencies. It’s a wonderful and joyful moment of discovery when we find a specific Scripture that speaks to us in the decision making process. 2. 20 Bible Verses on Wisdom and Making Tough Decisions. “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133). For instance, should we buy house #1 or house #2? I don’t have to, and I won’t, make every decision perfectly. There are very few times when the Bible comes right out and talks about the love between a man and a woman – but it does so in the story of Rebecca and Isaac: ‘he took Rebecca and she became his wife, and he loved her.’. Some decisions are awkward, unpleasant or even excruciating to make. Faith in Jesus Christ means that he takes up residence in our lives, for we have died, and we are new creations. Questions to Ask. Decisions reveal values and intelligence. Paul, who provided godly guidance to many, wrote this bold statement to the Corinthian church: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). When making the tough decisions, it’s important to search the Scriptures that can speak to our situations. Her father has dementia, and her mother is in denial. Most of those decisions don’t have life-altering consequences: should I wear the blue skirt today or the black one? For example, there may be a young woman who loves her boyfriend. Celebrate Impact: Take a bold stance with Unlocking the Bible to proclaim Christ mightily in 2021! Having prepared your heart with love, and prayed for the correct response, you make a God-honoring decision. It sounds simple; love like God loves. The Old Testament has numerous examples of Israel promising to follow God’s Law, and I’m sure they meant it, but they failed time after time. Making Decisions Discernment Wisdom, Source Of Human Knowledge Discernment, Nature Of Discerning God's Things Heart, Human People Involved In Judgement Wisdom, Human Importance So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. But sometimes God’s love is tough. But Jesus is my Savior—even from unwise decisions. The decisions we make actually reflect the desires of our heart (Psalm 119:30). We want to glorify God in everything we do. It’s during those moments that we need wisdom from Scripture regarding the decision-making process. Photo Above: Moraine Lake, Alberta, Canada. He will extend mercy to us when we humble ourselves before Him. So, you have a major decision to make, and you’ve gone through the other nine tips I’ve provided. We often face ethical dilemmas in our work. However, there will be times when we honestly don’t know what we should do in a given situation. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. That is enough. Heather C. King says: But when we earnestly base our decisions on our unseen values, pray over them, make them thoughtfully, base them on wise counsel, and commit them to God, He can bless them. They may have difficulty walking by faith because it doesn’t always “make sense.” "This Week at Unlocking the Bible" features new articles, radio programs, devotionals, and ministry updates. Sometimes we get it into our heads that we want to do a certain thing, and then we struggle immensely when we begin to realize that God may not want us to move forward with that particular choice. I knew I shouldn’t. She wants to marry him, but she’s unsure whether she should marry him. Her parents are not well. Relying on worldly wisdom and devaluing walking by faith – Some people rely too heavily on logic, facts, knowledge, education, and personal experiences when making decisions. A right heart is a heart of love for the Lord that is motivated by the gospel. My friend’s love will probably look tough to one of her parents. Making decisions affects just about everything else leaders do. Sometimes, the easiest way to make a decision is to ask yourself if you’re able to walk in holiness. If you would like someone from our staff to call you, please include your phone number. Pray for guidance. They demand wisdom. Again, you don’t need to ask someone their opinion on most of the decisions you make every day. Should I order the tuna sandwich or the veggie wrap? Thanks for sharing and putting this together! It’s during those moments that we need wisdom from Scripture regarding the decision-making process. A Sermon on Making Tough Decisions. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. When I am praying about such an issue, and scouring Scripture for an answer, after a while—a day, a week, or longer—a response eventually settles in my soul. Memorization is simplified because we are living and breathing His word while sensing His presence with us. Another verse I like, which I refer to quite often regarding trust counselors, is Proverbs 15:22: without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors, they succeed. She is no doubt asking Jesus for her next steps. We need to obey the scriptures. “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14). And often, making a decision by default is one of the worst things that can be done. Bible verses related to Tough Decisions from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order John 5:30 - I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. When we face decisions, we take God into account and make those decisions in line with His promises and principles, not the immediate gratification of the flesh. When there’s something we want, we sometimes cut corners to obtain the object of our desire more quickly. However, there are times when we’re faced with making tough decisions. It was done out of a heart of love, with her Bible and a lot of prayer, and I am sure that she followed Jesus well. The question is, who’s leading? To follow Jesus today means exactly the same thing, only we can’t do it physically. Advice and wisdom are one thing; the decision, however, is between ourselves and Jesus. The first thing to do to follow Jesus more closely is to examine our hearts. God wants to help us make decisions. Let’s take a look at 10 practical tips from Scripture. Top 27 Bible Verses-Making Tough Decisions … Will God help us when we face tough decisions? 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