Articles
Decisions, Decisions
Writer Wilferd Peterson once said, “Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, nothing happens...Decision is the courageous facing of issues, knowing that if they are not faced, problems will remain forever unanswered.” That is simple, but good, advice! Regarding spiritual matters, James wrote on this matter, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (Jas. 4:17). Delay, excuses, neglect, or shifting the decision to someone else will not relieve us of the responsibility to make a decision for ourselves — especially a decision that is pleasing to God — and the need for action that follows that choice. What we do after our decision should clearly reveal our choice to all observers.
So, why do so many have difficulty making decisions — especially regarding spiritual matters? In the everyday world, decision-making is made difficult for many in this country simply because there are so many choices. I remember reading an article on this very subject once, and the writer gave an illustration to make the point, where she went into a department store to buy a pair of blue jeans and found there were 43 different styles and colors! It is no easier looking for an item Online, either; in fact, I would say it is much worse where you have multiple vendors and multiple offerings, some of which do not seem to be any different than the next. And then if you want to use the reviews to help make a decision, you have to then decide if the reviews are credible or even real!
Obviously, it is not just in spiritual matters that so many find it hard to make a decision, but being that spiritual matters are of the greatest importance, we should consider that realm before anything else. And what do we find when we seek truth, forgiveness, and salvation? Numerous different religions, with a plethora of divisions and denominations within each of those particular religions. If you decide that Christianity is the only true religion, then you will find there are over 1200 denominations in the US that claim to be a part of Christianity, so the sheer number adds to the difficulty of knowing which one to choose [if any]. Something of such importance should not be taken lightly, or just ignored, so where should one start? Consider the following:
Start in the Bible. If you believe that Christianity is correct in its teachings, then it should naturally follow that the Bible is the primary source of information for all decision-making. It is within the Bible — the written word of God — that we find that which is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17), so any and all decisions should have their bases in Scripture, at the very minimum. If it is God we seek to please, then it is only logical that we learn what He says on the matter. When we know what God’s thoughts are on the subject at hand, then the decision becomes much easier: Just do what is pleasing to Him!
Avoid Creed Books, Catechisms, and Denominational Writings. When I say “start in the Bible,” I must add that this is not merely a prelude to then seeking advice on decisions from any religious writings not in the Bible, such as creeds, catechisms, or any other religious material that is not inspired of God. If the fact of having 1200 different denominations doesn’t demonstrate the confusion that results from human writings, then I don’t know what would!
But that isn’t new, either. I have in my library The Babylonian Talmud, one of the written forms of the Jewish laws and traditions handed down for centuries before finally being put in print form about 200 years after Christ. Pick any subject and research the Jewish teachings within the Talmud, and what you will find are the conclusions of three different rabbinical schools on every subject — and they never agree. Talk about confusing! It’s no wonder that when Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount, “the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28, 29). So avoid any writing that is not inspired of God, and be wary of those writings that claim they are inspired, but are not in the Bible. Some that make that claim [such as the Book of Mormon] contradict not only the Bible, but some of their other books that claim to be of God. They are not. As Paul put it, “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Cor. 14:33). If it contradicts the Bible, it is not of God, and taking advice from such sources will lead us down the wrong path.
Be Honest About Your Desires and Motives. I think we all probably realize that, sometimes, we make decisions because it is what we want, rather than because it is the right thing to do. I know of a few situations where individuals came to me, seeking advice on some important decisions they had to make, and it became evident during the course of our conversation that they had already made up their minds, or were leaning heavily to one decision, even before they had all the facts. When we do that with spiritual decisions, we might or might not be in agreement with God’s will; this is not the time to be unsure. We must also acknowledge that if we are simply choosing what we want to do, rather than honestly seeking God’s will, then even when His will happens to agree with ours, we are still doing our will — not His.
Let us always be aware that allowing our own desires to be a factor when contemplating important spiritually-related decisions has a high potential for choosing something that may lead to sin. James reminds us, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (Jas. 1:13, 14). And if there was any question about where that leads, James adds, “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (Jas. 1:15). It seems I am saying this more and more often nowadays, but, friends and brethren, when making important decisions such as spiritual matters, it is important we rely on facts, not feelings.
Pray About It. I would hope this is a given for many of us, but let it be said, nonetheless. This is something that even Jesus practiced, for we find that the night before He chose the twelves disciples who would be closest to Him for approximately the next three years, Jesus “went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 12:12-16). I am sure we remember that the very night He was betrayed and taken away to be tried and crucified, Jesus prayed intensely (Luke 22:39-44). Paul urges us to follow His example; peace of mind will be the result (Phil. 4:6, 7). When facing important decisions, whether they are spiritual or secular in nature, it is always good to pray.
Throughout the Bible, we find followers and servants of God following the guidelines we have considered today, and they were not only pleasing to God, but found success in much of what they did in life. That is not to say they had no more troubles, but it does mean they always had God’s ear [so to speak] and found great comfort in that fact. It also gave them great peace of mind, knowing that choosing God’s way was always the right thing to do. — Steven Harper
