We have all come to a crossroad in life where it is necessary to make a decision to go one way or the other. Some people seek the will of the Lord in the matter, while others make hasty decisions only to regret it later. Consider this:

Proverbs 14:15–16 (ESV) — 15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. 16One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

Proverbs 14:18 (ESV) — 18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 19:3 (ESV) — 3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.

It’s straightforward to warn against making hasty decisions because the end is never good. Instead, it’s best to wait upon the Lord, but how does that look?

Consider the following verses to prepare for seeking God’s help and direction:

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) — 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV 1900) — 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

James 1:5–7 (ESV) — 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

James 3:17–18 (ESV) — 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

After reading and meditating upon the verses above, please take note of the following:

1. God gives to us a sound mind and works out self-control through the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer.

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 2:12 (ESV) — 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

2. God has promised to give us wisdom when we ask. In fact, it’s quite pleasing to God for us to seek Him for wisdom because it expresses our dependency upon Him and He has promised to answer. As a believer who is seeking the will of God, we must present ourselves totally yielded to whatever God would direct us.

Isaiah 57:15 (ESV) — 15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Psalm 102:17 (ESV) — 17 he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.

3. We are admonished to ask in faith when we ask for wisdom, which means we are moving forward based upon His promise to provide wisdom. We move forward to prove His will by making a list of pros and cons for each direction or choice that is before us, praying that God would grant us wisdom and insight in making the list which means the process may take some time with plenty of prayer and thought.
4. As we weigh out the choices and the pros and cons on the list, the litmus test will be the peace of God as He shows us the right direction. Notice this direction will not violate the word of God, it will be a way of peace and will be gentle and open to reason.
5. Having put the time into the decision-making process, you will be guarded against the torment of questioning the decision you make as you go over your work and recall the peace that God provided.

The question in decision making is this: Are you willing to put in the time and effort in prayer, focus, keeping a list, and in doing adequate research? If so, then review this plan and begin the journey of seeking the Lord.

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) — 5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Too often people make decisions they later regret because they did not count the cost by weighing out the choices and seeking God for wisdom. One of the biggest decisions today is the one that is made to move, while not considering the importance of the local church body. It’s most often assumed a new church could be found, but after the move it’s discovered not to be so which too often results in the neglect of gathering with God’s people in worship and in participation with the local church body. The result is developed coldness and falling away in the things of God. Decisions that neglect the importance of the local church and participation therein, are hasty and selfish decisions that lead to the sin of neglect. To avoid such a state, be diligent in taking the truth from God’s word in making wise decisions.

Godspeed,

Bob Brubaker, Pastor

Christ Community Presbyterian Church

Clearwater, FL