Decision Making God’s Way

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

It is essential to have the Bible as your grid. As you are in tune with the Father you will begin to naturally walk in the works God has already prepared for you, the things He has already begun to put in your heart (Ephesians 2:10). Ask yourself if this decision will bring freedom or bondage in your life? Will the decision contribute to you walking in the fullness of all you are called to be?

For bigger decisions, seeking counsel from people in whom you trust can be a great resource (Jeremiah 6:16). Prayer is great help, not only by yourself but also with others.           

Remember that ultimately it is your decision and you are accountable to God for it. Get wisdom from others, but don’t rely upon them to make your decisions for you or live for you. You need to hear from the Lord (Joshua 9).

It’s also important for you to realize that God trusts you. Sometimes the fact that there is a desire in your heart to do something means that it’s from God. Timing is important too. You may have something in your heart to do, but ask God the timing of it as well and then be patient to wait and pray (Psalm 37).

God is not going to speak to you about every decision you make. Do you pray before you pick out what to wear for the day? About where to go to lunch? What kind of drink you should order from Starbucks? What color shoes to buy? He trusts you.

Sometimes making decisions according to God’s will is like a backyard. You can go swimming, play in the sandbox, or play catch and can still be in His will as long as you play in the boundaries of the backyard (not deviating from His Word). He trusts you.

The Nike principle- Sometimes you have to “Just do it.” It’s so much better to risk (Faith is spelled R-I-S-K) than to never be 100% sure and thus to never move forward. You can never fail with God, you can only learn, grow, and be re-directed (Romans 8:28). God can always redirect a moving ship but He can’t do much with a ship that is still stuck in the harbor.

How to do the right thing when there’s no rules

For the gray areas in the Bible, the areas not explicitly shown as either right or wrong…music, movies, dating, random decisions

Ask yourself these 3 questions:

1. Will this action build me up in my relationship with others (1 Cor. 10:23, 6:20; Heb. 12:1-2)? 

2. Will this action cause others to stumble in their faith (1 Cor. 10:24, 8:9-13)?

3. Will this action bring glory to God (1 Cor. 10:31; Colossians 3:17)?

And finally, in the words of Paul (in Galatians 5:16), “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh,” or as St. Augustine would put it,

“Love God and do whatever you want.”