Life is a series of decisions. Every day we must make
decisions. Some are made easily while others are made with great
consternation and anguish. Some turn out correctly, others turn out to
have been made incorrectly.
How well do we make choices and decisions? Today we will
discuss choices and decisions.
Do we make dicisions via a coin toss or by drawing lots as
was done in Nehemiah= s and
Joshua= s time?
(Neh 10:34 NKJV) We cast lots among the priests, the
Levites, and the people, for bringing the wood offering into the house
of our God, according to our fathers' houses, at the appointed times
year by year, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God as it is written
in the Law.
(Josh 14:1-2 NKJV) These are the areas which the
children of Israel inherited. . . . . . . {2} Their inheritance was by
lot, as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes
and the half-tribe.
Solomon felt that the drawing of lots eliminated hard
feelings. But not every decision can be made by a coin toss.
(Prov 18:18 NKJV) Casting lots causes contentions to
cease, And keeps the mighty apart.
The Bible gives us many guidelines about decision making.
Decision making involves making choices. Let's turn to Deu 30 and see what
it says about an important choice: Choosing between life and death,
blessing and cursing..
Deu 30:19-20 (NKJV) "I call heaven and earth as
witnesses today against you, <that> I have set before you life and
death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you
and your descendants may live; {20} "that you may love the LORD your
God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He
<is> your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in
the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, to give them."
We would all choose life rather than death; blessings
rather than cursings. But human nature tends to take us the wrong way. Our
carnal nature and Satan plants thoughts in our minds to encourage us to
make the wrong choice.
Jer 10:23-24 (NKJV) O LORD, I know the way of man <is>
not in himself; <It is> not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
{24} O LORD, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You
bring me to nothing.
It is not within ourselves to make the right decisions. In
verse 24, Jeremiah asks God for gentle correction so that he might learn
the right way. Do we do this?
Prov 3:5-6 (Tanakh) Trust in the LORD with all your
heart, And do not rely on your own understanding; {6} In all your ways
acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths smooth. [The NKJV says,
A He will direct your paths.@
]
Solomon, who most believe wrote most of the book of
Proverbs, knew about the need to include God in our decisions by
admonishing us to trust God, not ourselves, to make the right decision.
Prov 14:12 (NKJV) There is a way <that seems> right to a
man, But its end <is> the way of death.
Rom 11:8 (NKJV) Just as it is written: "God has given
them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that
they should not hear, To this very day."
What seems right to a person may be very wrong. God may
actually be party to our incorrect choice if we are willfully rebellious
toward Him.
Prov 16:25 (NKJV) There is a way <that seems> right to a
man, But its end <is> the way of death.
This is obviously dual with Prov 14:12, which we just
read. Duality indicates that God wants us to heed it, make it a part of
ourselves. God wants us to use His principles to guide our lives.
How do we use God's principles to make right decisions?
Let= s look at seven ways.
1. We should take our problems to God first.
1 Sam 2:3 (NKJV) "Talk no more so very proudly; Let no
arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD <is> the God of
knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
Take our problems to God and let Him influence, even make
our decisions.
Psa 111:10 (NKJV) The fear of the LORD <is> the
beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do <His
commandments>. His praise endures forever.
If you want to have a good understanding of your problem
and make sound decisions, bring God into your problem. How do you get God
to come into your problem and help you make a sound decision? - By being
obedient to God and asking Him, He will help you have a good
understanding.
John 9:31 (NKJV) "Now we know that God does not hear
sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears
him.
How many times have I seen Church people habitually make
bad decisions and at the same time habitually disobey God's commandments?
Prov 1:7 (NKJV) The fear of the LORD <is> the beginning
of knowledge, <But> fools despise wisdom and instruction.
If you don't think fools despise wisdom and instruction,
consider their reaction when you say or do something in obedience to God
which is not a common thing to do - like going to the Feast of Tabernacles
or not working on the Sabbath or stating that God directs the fate of
nations or not eating pork or you invite them to a Bible Study.
2 Chr 1:8-10 (NKJV) And Solomon said to God: "You have
shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his
place. {9} "Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be
established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of
the earth in multitude. {10} "Now give me wisdom and knowledge,
that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this
great people of Yours?"
Solomon looked to God for knowledge and wisdom. We must
not put our goals too high. We must take even our small problems to God
first. Ask Him to help us see His will.
2. Search God's word for truth and examples.
1 Cor 10:11 (NKJV) Now all these things [over-thrown in
the wilderness, lusting for evil things, idolatry, fornication] happened
to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the ages have come.
We should study God's word for examples of the
consequences of sin and God's comments before committing ourselves to a
particular position or course of action.
Mat 4:4 (NKJV) But He answered and said, "It is written,
'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from
the mouth of God.' "
Christ depended on every word of God. He did not succumb
to Satan's deception because He could see through it via God's word and
His own experience of being with God the Father for all eternity. We
should learn to eat as much or more spiritual food as physical food.
Acts 17:11 (NKJV) These [the Bereans] were more
fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word
with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily <to find out>
whether these things were so.
This famous scripture shows us we should be willing to
consider what religious teachers say but not automatically accept their
every word of doctrine. There are many doctrines out there. Which are
correct? It's up to us to find out. God will hold us responsible for doing
that. We must prove new doctrine to see if it is true.
2 Tim 3:13-17 (NKJV) But evil men and impostors will
grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. {14} But you must
continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of,
knowing from whom you have learned <them>, {15} and that from childhood
you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture
<is> given by inspiration of God, and <is> profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Now, particularly in the end time, we see more and more
preachers telling us a little bit of scripture, then filling in the rest
of their argument with their own theories and conclusions. We must be
extremely careful of these messages. They build on God's word, then
corrupt it and you the listener. Prove every point of what is preached to
you. If it can't be proved, reject it. Don't be sucked in to the confused
religious world which is all around us or you will be as confused and
deceived as those to whom you listen. If you want to prove the validity of
something, go back to the trunk of the tree, the basics, and work out from
there. Research scripture for the answer.
Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you
from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your
God, I also will forget your children.
This verse is talking about God's people...you and me. How
much true knowledge do you really have? How much have you proven? How much
do you study? How many sermons do you review and prove? Will any of us
be among those who are destroyed for lack of knowledge? How many of us
forget the law of God when deciding to do something we yearn to do or
whatever? How many of us say "well, this activity will take me into the
Sabbath and it really isn't a Sabbath activity, but I'll do it anyway?"
How many of us bend the truth? How many of us deceive others with half
truths and white lies and are thereby deceived ourselves?
3. Get the Facts
Prov 14:29 (NKJV) <He who is> slow to wrath has great
understanding, But <he who is> impulsive exalts folly.
Are we impulsive or do we think things out before
deciding? With today's easy credit buying it's easy to act impulsively.
With today's emphasis on pleasure, it's easy to rationalize "God wants me
to enjoy myself." But the regrets come later. With today=
s lack of respect for honesty, its easy to be deceived. How do we react
when someone cuts us off in traffic? Many Christians see their real
character when driving on the highways.
Prov 14:15 (NKJV) The simple believes every word, But
the prudent considers well his steps.
Don't be gullible or act on impulse. Never be hurried into
a decision. If possible, wait 24 hours before making a decision. Be sure
you see the whole story. The ad says in large print, "Return your winning
number with your order (for something you probably wouldn't buy anyway)
and win a million dollars". How prudent are you?
What are the alternatives?
4. Seek wise and abundant counsel.
Prov 20:18 (NKJV) Plans are established by counsel; By
wise counsel wage war.
Prov 11:14 (NKJV) Where <there is> no counsel, the
people fall; But in the multitude of counselors <there is> safety.
If you aren't sure about something or think you may not
know the whole story, seek other's opinions. But be sure the other person
knows something about the subject. Ask several people to get as much
information as you can before making a decision.
verse 15 (NKJV) He who is surety for a stranger will
suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.
How many of you have been asked to co-sign for someone
else? This is an extremely dangerous practice. I would not recommend it
99% of the time. There can be exceptions, however. e.g. If your child is
going off to college and, in your mind, needs a car or motor bike for
transportation, you might consider co-signing his loan. But even then, you
must be in a financial position to be able to afford the loss should he
default. In practically every case, you should avoid co-signing, no matter
how great the need of the other person. If you feel you really must help
out, give them the money and hope you get it back.
Prov 15:22 (NKJV) Without counsel, plans go awry, But in
the multitude of counselors they are established.
This verse is a little like Proverbs 11:14, which we just
read. But this verse is different in that it is addressing plans, not
decisions in general. Before you decide to build a house or go on an
extensive trip or embark on some new venture, discuss your plans with
someone who knows about the problems you may encounter. If you don't, you
can expect problems...some of them so major as to threaten the whole
operation. Again, don't be limited to a single counselor. It's always
tempting to talk to one expert and proceed on their advice. There are many
so-called experts out there who like to voice an opinion but don't know
much more than you do about a matter.
Prov 13:20 (NKJV) He who walks with wise <men> will be
wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Who do you associate with? Do you like their life-style?
Do you desire to live their same life-style? How wise do they seem? Is
their life filled with good decisions or foolish ones? How well accepted
are they? If you want to be wise, associate with the wise, not the
foolish. Both wisdom and foolishness are contagious.
Eph 4:11-16 (NKJV) And He Himself gave some <to be>
apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and
teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [to teach people
enough that they can teach others] {13} till we all come to the unity of
the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to
the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [Are any of
us even close to that?] {14} that we should no longer be children,
tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, {15}
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into
Him who is the head; Christ; {16} from whom the whole body, joined and
knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective
working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body
for the edifying of itself in love.
Does that describe some of us, some of us who have been
exposed to scriptural truth for a very long time?
In verse 11 we read that Christ gave us teachers for the
equipping of the saints. How well are we using the teachers He has given
us? Some people show little hesitation to ask questions but some seemingly
hate to do that. Church leaders are here to help you, not so much with
secular decisions such as what car to buy, but with spiritual decisions.
Use the help that is available. And if you don't feel comfortable with the
advise you receive, ask another leader. We're here to help, not to force
feed you.
Heb 13:17 (NKJV) Obey those who rule over you, and be
submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give
account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be
unprofitable for you.
If you are given advice by a trusted leader, follow that
advice to the best of your ability. If you don't like it, ask another, but
be sure you mention your previous advice. It is always more pleasant to
advise someone before they make a decision than after they've made a bad
one.
5. Make the decision
Some decisions can be made immediately. That was the case
with Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother; also James the son of
Zebedee and his brother John.
(Mat 4:18-22 NKJV) And Jesus, walking by the Sea of
Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother,
casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. {19} Then He said
to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." {20} They
immediately left their nets and followed Him. {21} Going on from there,
He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He
called them, {22} and immediately they left the boat and their father,
and followed Him.
But, whether the decision is made immediately or not, we
must ask in faith.
James 1:5-8 (NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him
ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will
be given to him. {6} But let him ask in faith, with no
doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and
tossed by the wind. {7} For let not that man suppose that he will
receive anything from the Lord; {8} <he is> a double-minded man,
unstable in all his ways.
When Christ was determining who His disciples were to be,
He prayed about it all night.
(Luke 6:12-13 NKJV) Now it came to pass in those days
that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in
prayer to God. {13} And when it was day, He called His disciples to
Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
When we have gone to God and to human counselors, and have
made a definite decision, make that decision in faith, with no doubting.
James 1:22-25 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not
hearers only, deceiving yourselves. {23} For if anyone is a hearer of
the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in
a mirror; {24} for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately
forgets what kind of man he was. {25} But he who looks into the perfect
law of liberty and continues <in it>, and is not a forgetful hearer but
a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Rom 2:13 (NKJV) (for not the hearers of the law <are>
just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
6. Have faith and confidence in your decision.
Heb 11:1 (NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Don't worry and fret over your decision. You have prayed,
considered, counselled, and researched to make the best decision. Now feel
assured you have made the right choice.
(Dan 3:16-17 NKJV) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to
answer you in this matter. {17} "If that is the case, our God whom we
serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will
deliver us from your hand, O king.
Mark 9:23 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "If you can believe,
all things <are> possible to him who believes."
(2 Cor 3:4 NKJV) And we have such trust through Christ
toward God.
We must believe in our sound decisions. When a doctor
advises a better way to good health, do we believe him? God is our great
Physician. Do you believe Him?
7. Work to achieve our decisions.
Before most decisions can be fulfilled, some effort must
go into the endeavor.
Eccl 9:10 (NKJV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do
<it> with your might; for <there is> no work or device or knowledge
or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
We must work to assure success. Rare indeed is the person
who can achieve anything without working for it.
Prov 14:23 (NKJV) In all labor there is profit, But idle
chatter <leads> only to poverty.
Some people do a lot of talking but never do much of
anything else. If you have gone to all the effort to make the right
decision, put forth maximum effort to assure the decision will work out.
But work honestly.
Prov 13:11 (NKJV) Wealth <gained by> dishonesty will be
diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.
We will prosper if we work at it honestly. We must make
things happen.
Prov 20:13 (NKJV) Do not love sleep, lest you come to
poverty; Open your eyes, <and> you will be satisfied with bread.
Don't waste your time sleeping. Extra sleep will not gain
you anything. The extra earnings for applying your time beneficially will
earn you more money and hence more food and the things you need.
Prov 26:13 (NKJV) The lazy <man> says, <"There is> a
lion in the road! A fierce lion <is> in the streets!"
The lazy can find a dozen reasons for not doing something.
We need to jump in and get the job done now.
verse 14 <As> a door turns on its hinges, So <does> the
lazy <man> on his bed.
Both the lazy and the door turn but do not change their
place. A door turning of its hinges is just so much wasted effort. So is
extra bed time for the lazy.
verse 16 The lazy <man is> wiser in his own eyes Than
seven men who can answer sensibly.
The lazy are thoroughly convinced that their life style is
appropriate, even when sensible argument is presented to them by others.
It is futile to reason with them.
Deu 28:1-6 (NKJV) "Now it shall come to pass, if you
diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully
all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God
will set you high above all nations of the earth. {2} "And all these
blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the
voice of the LORD your God: {3} "Blessed <shall> you <be> in the city,
and blessed <shall> you <be> in the country. {4} "Blessed <shall be> the
fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your
herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. {5}
"Blessed <shall be> your basket and your kneading bowl. {6} "Blessed
<shall> you <be> when you come in, and blessed <shall> you <be> when you
go out.
These are the blessings of obedience. Let's strive for
them.
Eccl 2:24 (NKJV) Nothing <is> better for a man <than>
that he should eat and drink, and <that> his soul should enjoy good in
his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.
Eccl 3:13 (NKJV) and also that every man should eat and
drink and enjoy the good of all his labor; it <is> the gift of God.
Eccl 5:18-19 (NKJV) Here is what I have seen: <It is>
good and fitting <for one> to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of
all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life
which God gives him; for it <is> his heritage. {19} As for every man to
whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it,
to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor; this <is> the gift of
God.
Eccl 8:15 (NKJV) So I commended enjoyment, because a man
has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for
this will remain with him in his labor <all> the days of his life which
God gives him under the sun.
In conclusion, let me again give you the seven major ways
to make the right decisions:
1. Take your problems to God first.
2. Search God's word for truths and examples.
3. Get the facts.
4. Seek wise and abundant council.
5. Make the decision.
6. Have faith in your decision.
7. Work to achieve your decision.