Biblical principles for making decisions!

How to keep Christ at the center of your decisions!

The average adult makes about 35,000 decisions a day. We spend so much time making decisions, but imagine if we thought about or talked to God 35,000 times a day.

Important things to note: Some decisions are more consequential than others. Some decisions you don’t have to pray about because they are already answered in Scripture. You may not always make the right choice. Commit even your failures to the Lord. Learn to decide less on impulse and more on impact.

Guiding principles for making decisions:

1. decisions are opportunities to reflect our ultimate values! What are the underlying values by which you live? Allow me to list a few that should be at the top of your list!

   1. Trust in God - “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

   2. Live for God’s glory - “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

   3. Think in a Christ-honoring way - “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

   4. Express obedience to Scripture - “But Samuel replied, ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’” 1 Samuel 15:22

      1. Every decision you make is an opportunity to allow Biblical values to be the foundation of your life.

2. approach decisions through prayer! Prayer is the tangible act of humility because it is our admission that we don’t have it all figured out and that we do need God. Prayer is bringing ourselves into partnership with God to serve His purposes. Make sure you have all the facts, and check your motives behind your actions. “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

3. seek Godly counsel! I’m going to give you lots of scripture for this one.

   1. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” Proverbs 11:14

   2. “The way of fools seems right to them, ut the wise listen to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

   3. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

   4. “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Provers 19:20

   5. “Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.” Proverbs 24:6

4. consider time as your friend, not your enemy! Avoid the lure of instant gratification. Be careful about sacrificing the permanent on the altar of the immediate (don’t sacrifice eternity to temporary worldly pleasures).

   1. “Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feel miss the way!” Proverbs 19:2

   2. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5

5. commit your decisions to God and proceed in faith and obedience! More Scripture! YAY!

   1. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3

   2. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

   3. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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Imagine if we thought about/talked to God every time we made a decision. That would be 35,000 times a day!! Take advantage of this gift that God has given you - the fact that you are able to speak to Him directly! Make your decisions with God in mind. I feel like we oftentimes forget to consult Scripture, but that’s so important!! I encourage you to look in Scripture about something you’ve maybe been debating for awhile and see what God has said.

I hope you all have an amazing week, and I’ll see you next Monday!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

He’ll not let my soul be lost. His promises shall last. Bought by Him at such a cost. He will hold me fast.

“He Will Hold Me Fast” - Shane & Shane