Decision-making, and providence

People need guidance from God about how they should make up their minds on difficult issues. God gives them this through the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, individuals, groups and other external means.

Decisions should be grounded in a relationship with God

Proverbs 3:5–6 See also Psalm 23:1–3, Psalm 25:4–5, Psalm 25:8–9, Psalm 25:12; Proverbs 9:10 Wisdom involves making right moral decisions; Matthew 6:31–33 parallel Luke 12:29–31

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

God guides decision-making

Through Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16–17 See also Psalm 19:7–11, Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:98–100, Psalm 119:104–105, Psalm 119:130MAT Psalm 4:4 parallel Luke 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:7 parallel Luke 4:12; Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:10 parallel Luke 4:8; Deuteronomy 6:13

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Through supernatural intervention

Acts 18:9 See also Genesis 28:10–15; 1 Samuel 16:6–7, 1 Samuel 16:12; Isaiah 30:19–21; Jeremiah 32:6–9; Acts 9:10–16, Acts 10:9–16, Acts 11:27–30, Acts 21:10–11, Acts 26:19; 1 Corinthians 14:29–30

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.

Through prayer

James 1:5–6 See also 1 Kings 3:9–12; Proverbs 2:3–6; Matthew 7:7–11 parallel Luke 11:9–13; Matthew 21:22; Ephesians 6:18

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Through circumstances

Acts 6:1–4 See also Numbers 13:1–3; Deuteronomy 32:28–29; Joshua 2:23–24; Ruth 2:2–3; 1 Kings 3:26–28; Acts 15:19–22, Acts 16:3, Acts 20:3, Acts 20:16; 1 Corinthians 16:8–9

In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

The work of the Holy Spirit in decision-making

John 14:16–17 See also John 14:26, John 16:13–15; Acts 8:29, Acts 10:19, Acts 13:2, Acts 15:28, Acts 16:6–10; 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.

Motivation in decision-making

Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:17 See also Psalm 139:23–24; Matthew 20:25–28, Matthew 23:23; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Philippians 4:8–9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 4:11

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Humility is essential for divine guidance

Psalm 25:9 See also Deuteronomy 10:12–13; Psalm 25:14, Psalm 34:9–10, Psalm 73:1, Psalm 84:11; Isaiah 58:9–11; Daniel 9:20–23

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.

The need to test guidance

1 Thessalonians 5:19–22

Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.