{"id":618,"date":"2017-03-19T07:08:00","date_gmt":"2017-03-19T12:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hanoverbaptistchurch.org\/blogpastor\/?p=618"},"modified":"2017-03-19T08:21:35","modified_gmt":"2017-03-19T13:21:35","slug":"what-does-the-bible-say-about-making-decisions-that-honor-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hanoverbaptistchurch.org\/blogpastor\/2017\/what-does-the-bible-say-about-making-decisions-that-honor-god\/","title":{"rendered":"What does the Bible say about making decisions that honor God?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cA wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.\u201d Proverbs\u00a014:16\u201318<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We make decisions, big and small, all throughout our days. Most decisions are seemingly made on autopilot, without much forethought, but usually in keeping with our acquired wisdom, habits, and traditions. In more irregular instances, we find ourselves faced with decisions that occupy new ground for us, but often come with the luxury of time to pray and think. Decision-making is bringing order to a chaotic situation. Decision-making is, for the dedicated Christian, bringing God-honoring order to the chaos that comes from living in a fallen world.<\/p>\n

When a man ponders his ways (Proverbs\u00a04:26f), he is attempting to simplify the complexities, clarify the murkiness, filter the noise, make sense of the contradictory, and bring focus to the blur of life. After all, \u201cthe ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths\u201d (Proverbs\u00a05:21). The decision-making process for the believer is a little different from earthbound thinking in that every major decision must be weighed with eternity in view. The believer\u2019s decision-making process may be boiled down to four steps: devote, discern, deliberate, and decide.<\/p>\n

The crucial first step in the believer\u2019s process of decision-making is to be already living a devoted life to the Lord. Job\u2019s experience teaches the lesson that when the dry season of testing comes upon you, what has been stored up in the deep well will tide you through the trial. Because our natural bent is the folly of our sin nature, we are all too aware that without God\u2019s aid our \u201cown iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray\u201d (Proverbs\u00a05:22f). Proverbs\u00a04:23 admonishes, \u201cKeep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.\u201d The greatest aid to decision-making is to constantly be preparing for the big decisions of your life by steeping yourself in the Bible in the quiet times before the storm hits. 2\u00a0Timothy\u00a03:16f declares, \u201cAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.\u201d<\/p>\n

A devoted life will keep your priorities in order. First, is your duty to God, and then your duty to your fellow men. 1\u00a0Corinthians\u00a010:31 says, \u201cTherefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.\u201d Proverbs\u00a03:5ff reminds you, \u201cTrust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.\u201d There is a reason that we are called \u201csheep\u201d and the Lord is called our \u201cShepherd.\u201d Sheep become familiar with their shepherd, grow used to hearing his voice, and will follow none other than the voice of their shepherd. You must grow used to recognizing the voice of your Lord! Live in dependence upon Him (Romans\u00a012:1f)! Many of life\u2019s knotty problems are answered by this first step.<\/p>\n

The second step in the process of decision-making is to discern and to honor God by seeking to bring order out of chaos (1\u00a0Corinthians\u00a014:33). To discern is to perceive, recognize, distinguish, and apprehend. Discerning is the process of identifying the decision to be made. This step is the time of gathering the facts and clearing away the distractions (Proverbs\u00a018:13, 17). It is also the time of defining and formulating the question to be answered by the decision (Jeremiah\u00a06:16). It is the time to identify the deadline for the decision to be finalized (Proverbs\u00a021:5; 19:2). Prayer is a significant part of this process because this is also the time you are drawing upon your knowledge of Scripture (James\u00a01:5) and digging out what God has revealed (James\u00a03:17).<\/p>\n

The third step is the season of deliberating (Luke\u00a014:28). It is the time of asking for the wisdom and counsel of fellow believers (Proverbs\u00a011:14; 18:1f). It is the time to try to answer the following questions in light of the decision you are asking God to help you make:<\/p>\n