When making a decision, everyone wants to make the right choice. How do we know what the right choice is? There are 6 practical questions from Scripture that I often consider before making a decision. Below are the last three questions. For part 1, you can click here.
1. Are there any spiritual benefits to the decision?
If your spiritual life is a priority to you, then this is something that must be considered. Will spiritual growth occur because of the decision being contemplated? Will your spiritual life be harmed because of the decision?
Certain choices can and will have a negative spiritual consequences. If you choose to commit adultery, tell a lie, or attend a party where you know wrong things may occur, then that decision may very well have negative spiritual consequences. If decide to attend a Bible study, reconcile with a friend, or forgive someone who hurt you, then that decision will probably have positive spiritual benefits. (See Proverbs 14:12, Romans 6:21)
2. Are there any harmful or negative irreversible consequences?
When making a decision, we have to consider whether or not that decision may hurt others or us in some way that cannot be fixed. Several weeks ago I wrote about two students from my ministry who passed away in a car accident. The decision they made to lie to their parent about where they were and then get in a car with someone who didn’t have a license resulted in their deaths. The decision they made not only had harmful and irreversible consequences on themselves but also affected others in the community.
Your decisions have consequences that will affect you and could even affect those around you. One reason that bad things happen to good people is because of the decisions that others make. Are you willing to live with consequences of your choice? (See 1 John 3:4, Romans 6:23. John 8:34)
3. Once you have made the decision, can you make it work?
Many decisions require commitment, extra effort, and work. The decisions to marry someone, take on a new job, or adopt a new responsibility are examples of this. If the decision that you are contemplating requires a lot to make it work, will you be able to handle it? Do you have the skills, desires, and resources to make the decision work for you? If not, do you have the ability to get those things? (See Psalm 37:5, Galatians 6:7)
Once you have considered these aspects and if everything works you can know you are making a good decision. Weigh the good and the bad and always consult with the Lord. You might make a wrong decision but God will work it all out. Don’t forget what it says in Proverb 16:9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
