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How to Make Godly
Decisions
God’s Word is the Christian’s guide for making godly,
successful choices in life. The Bible says, “Your word is a
lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalms 119:105).
Before you make decisions, compare your desires to what the
scriptures say, and ask yourself the following questions:
1. Would you be able to ask God to
bless it?
Would your decision be something that you can take before
God with a good conscience and ask Him to bless? Or is
it something that you know the Lord would not be enthused
about? “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds
no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).
2. Could you thank Him for it?
Would your decision be something that you can openly express
gratefulness and thankfulness to God? Or would it be
something which would seem inappropriate to thank Him for?
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”
(Colossians 3:17).
3. Would it be to God’s Glory?
Would your decision be something that can bring Glory and
honor to the Lord? Ask yourself how the Lord would be lifted
up or blessed by your plans. “...whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1
Corinthians 10:31).
4. Would it be of the world?
Would your decision be an indulgence upon worldly, carnal
appetites or lusts? “Do not love the world or the things in
the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father
is not in him” (1 John 2:15).
5. Would it be a stumbling block to
others?
How would your decision affect the lives of your brethren in
Christ? Even if you don’t feel it’s wrong, could it offend
or harm the sensitive faith of those who don’t share your
convictions? “...beware lest somehow this liberty of yours
become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1
Corinthians 8:9).
6. Would it be a weight or
hindrance?
Would your decision be something that would drag down your
Christian life or influence you toward disobedience? “...let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
7. Would it please God or man?
Whom do you hope to please by your decision? Will it bring
pleasure to God, or will it appease self or man? “And
whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to
men” (Colossians 3:23).
8. How would the Devil react?
Would your decision or actions be considered a victory or a
defeat by the Devil’s forces? Would Hell celebrate your
choice as a fulfillment of Satan’s desires, or would the
enemy be angry and disturbed? “Be sober, be vigilant;
because
your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the
faith,
knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your
brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
9. What would the consequences be?
What kind of long-term ramifications would you have to face
for your decision? Remember, God will forgive sin and poor
judgment, but you may have to live with the results of your
decision for the rest of your life. “Do not be deceived, God
is
not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”
(Galatians 6:7).
10. Would it edify you?
Would your decision or actions bring you closer to God or
pull you farther away? Will it edify (build you up) in the
Lord, or will it weaken your confidence of the Lord’s
strength in your life? “All things are lawful for me, but
not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me,
but not all things edify” (1 Corinthians 10:23).
11. Would it serve the right
master?
Will your decision require you to yield to the demands of
someone or something other than Christ? Will it cause you to
compromise your submission and obedience to Jesus? “No one
can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew
6:24).
12. Would His indwelling presence
agree with it?
Would your decision bring peace to your inner man, or would
it create discomfort or distress? Is your choice directed by
the promptings and leading of the Holy Spirit, or by the
appetites of the flesh? “However, when He, the Spirit of
truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth...” (John
16:13). “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not
fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
13. Would you want to be doing this
when Jesus Returns?
Would you want to be doing this when Christ comes again? If
Jesus would appear to inspect your decision or actions,
would you be embarrassed or delighted? Would His presence
make you comfortable or insecure? “Therefore you also be
ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not
expect” (Matthew 24:44).
14. Would it promote love?
Would your decision or actions express love and harmony, or
would it reflect retribution, jealousy or injury to your
neighbor? “Owe no one anything except to love one another...
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8, 10).
15. Have you sought the Lord about
it?
The Lord promises to give leadership and direction to our
life. Consult Him in prayer. Remember, God will never speak
something to our heart that contradicts his written Word.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your
paths” (Proverbs 3:6). “There are many plans in a man’s
heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel; that will stand”
(Proverbs 19:21).
16. Have you sought Godly counsel
or advice?
Ask the advice of those who live Godly lives and have a
track record of experience and wise decision making. Avoid
the counsel of those whose Christian life is questionable or
who have experience of failure in making sound decisions.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the
multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the
ungodly...” (Psalm 1:1).
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