Do you know how to make godly decisions? Our decisions determine the direction and quality of our lives. How can we make sure that our decisions are good, godly, and in harmony with God’s will for our lives?
The Bible gives us very clear instructions on moral issues – what is good, and what is evil. To what to adhere to and what to avoid. God’s Word is an inexhaustible source of wisdom about the various aspects of human life and relationships.
But what about making decisions that are not of a moral nature? For example, decisions about a job, choosing a profession, changing the place of residence, choosing a friendly circle, etc.
What are the biblical principles that guide us in the decision-making process?
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How to Make Godly Decisions – the Problems of Common Sense
Most often, we try to systematize all available information, looking for the minuses and pros. If the positive predominates, then the decision is clear. We apply common sense and logically come to a certain choice.
However, several major problems arise:
- We rarely have all the available information available. Even if we have it, it reflects only the current state.
- We can not foresee the future. Things, people, and relationships change.
- The decisions based on the available facts are limited and subjective because of the limits of our understanding and knowledge.
- When the own benefit is the main motivation, there is a big danger of being misguided and making a bad decision.
Therefore, especially when it comes to decisions with long-term consequences, common sense, combined with self-centered motives, is not the best basis for decision-making.
There is a need to include God and to exercise faith – that is, to decide not only according to what we see but also according to what we do not see and do not know.
How to Make Godly Decisions – the Principle of Faith
There are 3 basic biblical principles in making godly decisions, and the first is the exercise of faith.
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.
By faith, we have access to God’s unlimited wisdom, knowledge, and resources. By faith, we acknowledge our own limitations and choose to trust God’s wisdom. Faith also includes risk. When God is leading us there is always an unknown and risky component.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The Principle of Knowing and Acknowledging God’s Purpose
The second principle in the biblical decision-making model is knowing and acknowledging God’s purpose and goals.
One of the main differences between heavenly and secular wisdom lies in the purpose. The wisdom of the world originates from the self and is directed to the satisfaction of the self and the guarantee of its benefits.
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When God directs us, His main purpose is not our comfort and direct benefits. The goals revealed in His word are to increase our capacity to serve Him, to mature and perfect us so that we can serve His intentions to the maximum.
Of course, God’s will is also to bless us. The problem is that we can not always see at once any obvious or short-term benefits for us.
God’s blessings are lasting, with no harmful consequences, and always contain a non-material, spiritual component. Because the visible is perishable, and the invisible stays for eternity.
The Principle of the Right Motivation in Making Good Decisions
When making decisions, it is important to test our motivation. What is it that we want most? What are the goals and benefits that we are pursuing? If our purposes and desires are selfish, it will be very difficult for us to perceive and apply wisdom from heaven.
The good news is that when we seek and desire to do God’s will, God changes the desires of our hearts. He also gives us an understanding of His purposes and plans, and the grace to accept them and make them our own.
Expectations play an important role in decision-making. We always have some conscious or unconscious expectations. However, to release God’s plan in our lives, we need to put aside our own ideas, visions, plans, and expectations. The Bible calls this act surrender or obedience, and it is painful for the ego. But the grace of God makes it possible to humble ourselves and surrender to God.
Godly Decisions – Conclusion
Why is it important to seek God and His will in our choices and decisions? The answer is simple. When we incorporate God into our decisions and live by faith, then we also receive the effect of our faith.
This is a life marked by God’s order where we are at our place at all times. This is a fulfilling life that carries out God’s purposes and plans that are the best for us. The outcome is satisfaction, joy, and peace.
More Encouragement for You
If you need more resources and encouragement to boost your faith and trust in God in making decisions, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert
Transforming Your Thought Life by Sarah Geringer
Forward: Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow by David Jeremiah
Success Is Not an Accident: Change Your Choices; Change Your Life by Tommy Newberry
Changes that Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
What is your biggest challenge in making godly decisions? Which of these principles is the most difficult to apply?
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When we seek God and desire to do His will, He gives us the ability and wisdom to make godly decisions. #God #decisions #bgbg2 Share on X
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This is always a challenge, especially when the decisions involve so many unknowns. We pray. We put it before the Lord. We seek his will. We pray some more. We ask for direction. We decide, and then we entrust him with the outcome.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Melinda! Yes, praying and waiting on God, and entrusting the outcomes to Him is the best way!
Oh my gosh, it’s always a challenge, isn’t it?! ! I pray for wisdom according to James 1:5 and then if I can bring honour to God in whatever decision I make, I am comfortable that I am in God’s will. xx
Thank you, Michelle! Praying for wisdom is the best thing to do.
such great points. Making decisions can be so stressful but so important for us to bring those decisions to God and allow His Holy Spirit to guide us
Thanks for your comment! Yes, it is stressful. I find it particularly hard when I need to choose between two or more good options. Then it is really the best for us to search for counsel and wisdom from God.
We’ve been told that Logic and reason are part of the biggest challenges we have to deal with while working by faith. Also, fear; faith cannot be found where fear is. Thanks so much for this post. Many blessings to you!
Thanks for your comment! I think this is challenging because logic and reason are part of our natural “sight” system. Of course, we should not ignore and reject them but rather submit our thought life to God.
I think the hardest aspect for me is probably to lean not on my own understanding. I believe that God gave m a sound mind, and that I can use it to make good decisions–and yet, as you said, I don’t know the future or the full picture, so it is important to check in with God and seek his guidance. Thanks for the encouraging words!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I can fully relate – my own good analytical skills very often stand in the way!! Sometimes it really feels counter-intuitive and not reasonable to heed the voice of God. But nevertheless, it is the best thing we can do!
Thank you for this post! I’m still learning how to discern when God’s voice is guiding me in decisions, so I appreciate this insight.
Love and blessings!
Thank you, Anastasia! Yes, learning to follow God and make the right choices every day is a life-long process in which we grow and mature. Blessings!