“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8, ESV)
Have you ever struggled in making a decision? At one time or another, everyone faces a “do I or don’t I” situation. Just this week I needed to decide about a certain matter. It was nothing major, or at least I don’t believe so, but I still wanted to be sure I was making the right choice. I learned long ago that seemingly insignificant things may have a much greater impact than we expect.
Let me tell you about three people and the impact of the decisions they made. We can learn some valuable lessons from them.
- For Eve, the decision to eat the forbidden didn’t seem that significant. The smooth-talking voice of the serpent assured her that all would be well. But she was listening to the wrong voice, and it contradicted what God had said. Her decision, and her husband joining in that bad decision, led to their downfall and removal from Eden. We all suffer from the effects of their sinful choice today.
- King David decided to stay home instead of going out to battle with his army (II Samuel 11). That one decision put him in the wrong place at the wrong time. From his rooftop he saw a beautiful woman bathing and desired her. That led to other bad decisions with far-reaching effects. Not just his family, but the entire country, suffered because he sacrificed his integrity to fulfill his desires.
- Esther, the orphaned Jewish girl, was probably in her mid-teens when she was taken into the palace of King Ahasuerus. She found herself in a situation not of her choosing, but she wisely followed the godly counsel of her cousin, Mordecai. Because of her wise decisions, God used her to save her people from annihilation.
Sometimes, like Eve and King David, our decisions may lead us into dark places we never thought we would go. But if we pray and seek godly advice, like Esther, God can use us in unexpected ways for the good. Proverbs 12:15 (ESV) tells us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
All of us struggle at times to make the right choices. Whether it’s a big decision or something of less importance, we can take steps to be sure we are moving in a wise, and God-pleasing, direction. Remember, all of us have blind spots, so be cautious before moving forward.
Here are some questions you can use to help in making wise decisions.
- Have I prayed about this matter?
- What does the Bible say about it?
- Have I asked God for wisdom and discernment?
- Have I sought godly counsel?
- How will this decision affect others?
- Am I acting from right motives?
- Do I need more information before acting?
- Will this decision go against my values or compromise my integrity?
- Will I follow God’s leading even if opposite my own desires?
- Am I seeking God’s approval more than the approval of others?
Philippians 4:6 in the New Living Translation tells us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Pray first and then trust God to lead you in the right direction. That is what I did with the decision I needed to make. I awoke the next morning with unease, not peace. Remember, “When in doubt, don’t.” If something is the right course of action, God will give us clarity and peace.
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (I Corinthians 14:33)
Thank You, Lord, for guiding me in the right direction when I seek Your wisdom. Help me to listen to the right voices and follow the godly advice of my pastor and other spiritual advisors. I want all my ways to please You and align with Your Word.
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