Everyone
is involved in making decisions every day even if it is only to get
out of bed in the morning. Many decisions are time consuming and
are not easy to make, nor can they be made on the spur of the moment.
There are decisions that must be made immediately and cannot wait.
Some may pertain only to you, while others may involve your whole
family, the church, your friends, or even your fellow employees.
Some decisions may last for a lifetime and others for a short period
of time. There are decisions that only pertain to young people
and others that may only be for the elderly. Decision making can
be purely financial and may entail a large amount of money. Some
decisions are of a physical nature, and others spiritual, material,
social, or whatever. Good consequences may result from a decision
or even a bad consequence. The wrong decision could ruin your life
or bring you years of sorrow. The right decision could build your
life with years of happiness. At any rate, decision making is serious
business and needs straight thinking. When you have made the right
decision and have peace of mind over it, then trust the Lord to work
it out according to His promise in Phil. 1:6; 2:13 and Rom. 8:28.
The following suggestions may be of practical help to you in making a right decision. If you have made the right decision in accepting Christ as your Saviour and Lord so that you have decided to follow Him, you have made the best decision possible and can build your life under His guidance.
1. When making a decision at a crossroads, you should read the signs that God indicates as "this is the way, walk ye in it" (Isaiah 30:21).
2. Make your decision in line with the path that you have already been walking on with the Lord. Be careful about changing your direction without His direction.
3. Wait on the Lord for His confirmation when you make a decision. You will not go astray if you have His approval.
4. Make your decision after you have sought out the mind of Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. As a child of God, it is your privilege to be led of the Spirit (Rom. 8:14).
5. Make your decision on what you feel would give God the most glory and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. "...whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
6. Begin with a searching of heart as to whether you are really dedicated to Christ or not, and committed to Him in manner of life and service (Rom. 12:1,2).
7. Decision making should be on the basis of an intelligent Bible directive rather than on an emotional feeling. Emotional feelings are not always reliable nor do they last.
8. Make your decision on what you are ready to give an account for at the judgment seat of Christ. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10).
9. Make your decision on what you think Christ would want you to do so as to please Him rather than on what you might like to do to please yourself.
10. Make your decision on what you know to be the greater good for you and your family. You do not live unto yourself but with those to whom you are joined in your household. You have a responsibility to them.
11. Make your decision according to what is best for your spiritual life and will add to your growth in Christ. The Bible directs us to grow (2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 4:15).
12. Your decision should not be made so as to make provision for the flesh "...make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:14).
13. Decide after you have spent an extended time in prevailing prayer. It could well take a day or night of prayer. God knows the way you take and what is best for you. Look to Him.
14. If you have problems in coming to a decision, consult with some of your closest friends in Christ who may be of the same mind in spiritual things, but weigh their advice (1 Kings 11:6-15).
15. Make your decision after spending much time in the Word of God seeking the will of God. The Holy Spirit will press some specific Scripture upon your heart that pertains to your decision.
16. Make your decision after you have sought out the pros and cons and thought through the consequences your decision might involve (Hebrews 11:24-27).
17. Be careful that your decision does not put you under a heavy financial burden that puts you in bondage for years to come along with your family. Seek for financial freedom. Watch out for the credit card syndrome.
18. Make your decision according to what is morally right to do. Remember the Bible says "... that ye sin not" (1 John 2:1).
19. In making any decision, acknowledge God in all your ways, trust Him in all your ways, and do not lean upon your own understanding, and He will direct your path (Prov. 3:5,6).
From Quarterly Notes, vol. 15, no. 4, "Practical Helps," by Al Troester. Used with permission of author.