Decision-making, examples of

Scripture provides examples of good and bad decision-making, as well as offering guidance as to how decisions ought to be made.

Examples of good decision-making

Joshua 24:15 See also Genesis 13:8–9, Genesis 35:2–4; Exodus 18:24–25, Exodus 32:26; Ruth 1:15–16; 1 Samuel 14:6–7, 1 Samuel 24:4–7; Nehemiah 4:21–23; Esther 4:15–16; Psalm 27:4; Daniel 1:8, Daniel 3:18; Matthew 4:19–20; Mark 2:14 Luke 10:38–42, Luke 19:8; Acts 4:36–37, Acts 5:35–39; Hebrews 11:25–26

But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

Examples of bad decision-making

Genesis 3:6 See also Genesis 12:10–13, Genesis 13:10–11, Genesis 16:1–3; Exodus 32:1–4; Numbers 13:31, Numbers 16:1–3; Joshua 7:21 Achan disobeyed the LORD's instructions; Judges 8:23–27, Judges 14:3, Judges 16:1; 1 Samuel 13:8–9 Saul made the offering in Samuel's absence; 2 Samuel 11:2–4; 1 Kings 12:8–15 Rehoboam followed bad advice; 2 Kings 24:1; Hosea 2:5; Jonah 1:1–3; Mark 10:22; Luke 15:13; Acts 5:1–2, Acts 24:27; Matthew 26:14–16 parallels Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:4–6 Judas decided to betray Jesus Christ for money; Mark 15:1 parallel Matthew 27:1–2 the decision to put Jesus Christ to death

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.

The sovereignty of God in decision-making

Genesis 50:19–20 See also Genesis 45:8; Numbers 24:13 Balaam could only curse or bless at the LORD's bidding; Judges 6:39–40, Judges 14:4; 1 Samuel 2:25; 2 Chronicles 25:20; Psalm 103:13–14; Joel 2:25–26; Micah 7:8–9ACT Micah 2:23–24, Acts 4:27–28 Romans 8:28–30

But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people.

Decisions have to be made

Deuteronomy 30:19–20 See also 1 Kings 18:21; Ezekiel 18:30; Matthew 27:17, Matthew 27:21; Mark 10:21; Acts 2:38–40, Acts 16:30–31; 2 Corinthians 1:15–17; Galatians 3:2

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Good decision-making involves consideration for others

Micah 6:8 See also Job 31:16–23; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3; Amos 5:14–15; Matthew 5:13–16, Matthew 25:35–36; James 1:27

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

All decision-making must be subject to the will of God

James 4:13–15 See also Psalm 127:1; Matthew 26:39, Matthew 26:42; Luke 12:16–21

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”