We make decisions everyday. Some involve making a clear choice between right and wrong, while with other decisions the choice is not so clear cut. There may be several options to choose from. Not every decision is a choice of good versus evil. Many of our decisions have multiple acceptable options, like what career to pursue, whom to marry and where to live. Understanding biblical principles can help us choose the best course of action, especially when it involves big decisions where there is seemingly no clear indication of the right answer.
It’s interesting to consider the decisions Abram (later called Abraham) and Lot made in a conflict situation and the outcome of those decisions. The story is told in Genesis 13:5-13 (New Living Translation, 1996): “Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, was also very wealthy with sheep, cattle, and many tents. But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together…So an argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot… Then Abram talked it over with Lot. ‘This arguing between our herdsmen has got to stop…. we are close relatives….Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate…Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere…. (This was before the Lord had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah). Lot chose that land for himself….He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. So while Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom, among the cities of the plain. The people of this area were unusually wicked and sinned greatly against the Lord.” Lot chose the fertile land around Sodom—apparently thinking he wouldn’t be influenced by the corrupt and sinful Sodom—but he was wrong.
The Bible is designed to help us make the most important decision of our lives—the decision to repent, change and follow Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives (Acts 2:38; 1 John 2:6). God tells us to put Him first, to obey Him and choose eternal life and blessings (Matthew 6:33; Deuteronomy 30:19-20). All other decisions in life should be in line with that ultimate goal. We should avoid decisions that will detract from putting God and His righteousness first in our life. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7)
We are exhorted to “incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding…if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:2-6).
When we understand how great God is and see how small we are, we will develop the proper reverence and fear of God, leading us to study the Bible, and ask for His guidance to grow not just in knowledge, but in the understanding of underlying principles. Meditating on and applying that biblical knowledge and understanding with God’s Spirit leads to godly wisdom. We are to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Before making a decision about which course to follow, we should also try to foresee the likely long-term consequences. Especially when it involves an important decision, we should invest time to get the facts and examine the situation to clearly define the problem, and consider the ramifications.“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30).
We can also seek the advice of trusted counselors who can assist in considering all the possible options. Those who are older and more experienced than us, can be a good source of advice. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Other people may see our problem from a different angle, and be able to provide possible solutions we might not see.
If a possible solution requires disobeying a biblical instruction or principle, delete that option from your list. Then compare the remaining options with positive biblical principles and instructions, wise advice from others, and also assessing the likelihood of success and the effects your decision will have on others. When we strive to seek God’s wisdom and follow biblical principles, we can entrust our decisions and the worries that may accompany them to Him (Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:33-34).
