How Can I Make Wise Decisions?

First of all, Get A Bible

My first post consisted of how to study the Bible.  now that we have an understanding on how to study the Bible now we are going to look at application of what we are studying.

Joshua 1:8-9 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

These three verses alone tell us a couple of things.

First, they tell us why people do not read the Bible. Although people want “prosperity and success”, they do not want to lose their sin nor be convicted of sin. Notice to have “prosperity and success” is contingent upon three things:

1. Talking About It
2. Meditation
3. Doing What The Bible Says

This is very interesting because it tells us what a “prosperous and successful” person does.  A “prosperous and successful” person talks about the word, thinks about the word and does his/her best to do what the word says.  Notice something?  Those people are all about the word. The world calls these people “Bible Thumpers” or those “Born Again Type Christians” – I know, I have been called both. Yet, they may still say, that those people who are all about the Bible do not seem to be rich and successful.  However, they miss one key ingredient, the word.  We as people do not define what is “prosperous and successful”, the word defines to us what is “prosperous and successful”.  Here in Joshua, we have a man named….yup, you guessed it….Joshua, who was told to take over for Moses once Moses died.  However, Joshua was not sure about his ability and God told Him how to ensure his ability was up to par by telling Joshua “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Therefore, if we let the word define prosperity and success, we could accurately define it as, doing the will of God.  That is why the verse goes on to say “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

But those people who don’t read the Bible, don’t read because they know they will be confronted with their sin before the Holy, Living and Active Scripture; therefore, they do not read it because they are deluded to be believe “prosperity and success” may be found somewhere other than Jesus.  Ultimately these verses say “this person is weak, cowardly, scared and lonely.  So they seek to define “success and prosperity” by physical means rather than spiritual means (i.e. money, sex, “toys”, clothes, employment, status, friends etc). This means that  “something” other than ourselves should direct our lives; that means, we have to let go of our lives and begin to follow God and some people are not willing to let go and give God control.

Next, these verses tell us, if we read the Bible, talk about the Bible, do what the Bible tells us to do it  will transform us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , backs this up by telling us every piece of the Bible has a purpose and Matthew 5:18 tells us every single stroke of every letter a letter has purpose to be fulfilled. Therefore, those who want nothing to do with the Bible (i.e. the Bible acts more like a coaster or “bookend” to their library) do not want Jesus; ultimately, they want sin.

Therefore, this leads us to ask the question “If reading, knowing  and meditating on the word will make you successful – why would not meditating/knowing God’s word help you sin?” The answer is, we won’t know how to choose nor decide what leads to success because we won’t have the source that defines what “prosperity and success” is.  Rather we are left alone searching for what seems to be “unsearchable”.

Reading the Bible is foundational to this 3 step process. A regular, habitual practice of reading God’s word, hearing God’s word and just taking in the God’s Word through prayer, meditation and memorization are truly required to cultivate Godly, mature and practical decision making.

Second, You Got To Pray

Esther 3:8-11, 4:1-17 Tell us that a man named Mordecai found out that a King’s right hand man convinced the King to allow him to kill all the Jews living in the kingdom. When Mordecai discovered this, he began to cry and wale. After freaking out and being up set he ran to the Kings wife, Esther to inform her of the plot because Esther was Jewish. Mordecai requested that Esther speak to the King to change his mind. Esther, at first, was reluctant to do anything; however, once she thought about it more she saw the bigger picture. So before she did anything, she instructed Mordecai to return to the Jews and require them to pray and fast for the situation.

In these short verses we see a quick example how prayer is an important step to decision making. Decisions take thoughtful consideration and if we know the word and the word is searching our mind, we then have a desire to communicate with the One who gave us the word, God; and we communicate with Him through prayer.

Here are some practical questions to honestly ask ourselves during prayer -  when considering any decision.

• What could this testimony do for Jesus?  – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
• What is my motivation and/or goal: Jesus or myself? - 1 Corinthians 9:23 -
• Will it help me do my best and reach my goal? - 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 -
• Is it against a any part of God’s word? – 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 -
• Is it the best course of action? – 1 Corinthians 10:23 –
• Am I choosing this my selfish purposes or for the purpose of others? -  1 Corinthians 10:24 -
• Is my decision a loving (agape) decision or a selfish decision? – 1 Corinthians 10:28-29 -
• Will it Glorify God? – 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Will it cause others to stumble or fall into sin? – 1 Corinthians 10:32

With a foundation in God’s word, an active prayer life – this will reinforce a renewed mind, as spoke about in Romans 12:1-2, so you can prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. Remember, earlier we said “Therefore, if we let the word define prosperity and success, we could accurately define it as, doing the will of God.“

Third, Seek Godly Counsel

Titus 2 tells us what are the Godly criteria for Godly older men in the Church. The book of Colossians explains, how a young man named Epaphras started a church, noticed some problems and sought out Paul for guidance and direction to turn the church in Colossae around.

Therefore, when one has a practice and habit of reading their bible, an active prayer life which reinforces a Godly mindset – it will be easy to seek counsel from a Godly person because 1.) you will know who is a man after God’s own heart and 2.) you will know that unity represents Jesus. [John 17:23; Ephesians 4:3, 13]

So What Happens When We Do Not Do These Three Steps?

If You Only Read The Bible; Yet Forget Prayer and Never Seeking Godly Counsel:

You may develop pride, because you are saying, “I don’t need anybody to help me & that includes God. I can do this by myself”. (Even though Jesus needed his disciples and prayed until he bled.)

If You Only Pray; Yet Do Not Read Your Bible or Seek Godly Counsel:

You may fall prey to “mindless repetition”. Ultimately, you are saying “I don’t need God’s word nor do I need a Godly person to guide me. If I pray enough times, I will get it.” That my friend, is pride.

If you only Seek Godly Counsel; Yet Do Not Read Your Bible or Pray

You may begin to develop “fallen afterthoughts”. Where you say, “All I need is other people’s opinions and I will do a meta-analysis (an analysis of analysis) to see what fits me perfectly”. Ultimately, the Bible isn’t sufficient and neither is prayer to God because “mankind can figure it out”. That is, once again, pride.

So What If I Do Two of The Three?

If you Read The Bible & Seek Godly Counsel Without Prayer

You may be prone to anxiety and that is sin [Matthew 6:34; Philippians 4:6]

If You Seek Godly Counsel & Pray Without Reading The Bible

Your prayer may become a “cover” or a “formality” to do what you really want to do. [Matthew 6:7]

If You Pray and Read Without Seeking Godly Counsel

You may fall into pride, indicating that you do not need another person to help you in your walk. [Galatians 6:2-6]

In summary, if we make it a priority to read our Bibles, Pray and Seek Godly Counsel – then we will be utilizing every resource God created for us to ensure we are making wise decisions.

Grace & Peace, You Are Loved,

Judson

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