10 Biblical Principles For Decision Making

Every day, each of us is faced with numerous choices. What should we do when the Bible doesn’t seem to speak directly to the situations we face and the decisions we make? What Does the Bible say about Making Decisions?

The following 10 principles informed by scripture will help you to make decisions that glorify God and honor others.

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1. What Biblical Principles Should Inform My Decision?

• For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)
• Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.(1 Corinthians 10:31)
• Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
• The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. (Proverbs 22:7)
• Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Questions to Ask

1. What does the Bible have to say about this decision?
2. Who can help me better understand what God’s Word says about this decision?
3. Make sure you are not the only one who holds to your interpretation.

2. Do I Have All The Facts?

• He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. (Proverbs 18:13)
• The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him. (Proverbs 18:17)

Questions to Ask

1. Ask a lot of questions.
2. Don’t fall prey to “wishful thinking” or let your emotions get the best of you.
3. Remember that there are two sides to every story.

3. Is The Pressure of Time Forcing Me to Make a Premature Decision?

• Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who makes haste with his feet errs. (Proverbs 19:2)
• The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)

Questions to Ask

1. Beware of the “once in a lifetime” deal and the lure of instant gratification.
2. Don’t let the fear of missing out drive your decision.
3. When in doubt, leave it out.

4. What Possible Motives Are Driving My Decision?

• All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. (Proverbs 16:2)
• Who can say, ”I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”’? (Proverbs 20:9)

Questions to Ask

1. Acknowledge that you have “blind spots.”
2. Honestly assess your motives, both good and bad.
3. Give others permission to speak in to your life.

5. How Should Past Experiences Inform My Decision?

• Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. (Proverbs 26:11)
• A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.(Proverbs 17:10)

Questions to Ask

1. Look for patterns of behavior – “triggers.”
2. Understand how your family background might affect your thinking.
3. Learn from your mistakes!

6. What Is The Collective Counsel of My Community?

• Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 11:14)
• He who separates himself seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom. (Proverbs 18:1)
• A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind. (Proverbs 18:2)

Questions to Ask

1. Avoid having many separate conversations.
2. Recognize the difference between “selling” and “sharing.”
3. Know when to “open the circle.”

7. Have I Honestly Considered the Warning Signs?

• He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray. (Proverbs 10:17)
• There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 16:25)
• Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6)

Questions to Ask

1. Don’t think you are the “exception” to the rule.
2. Remember that God’s way is the best way.

8. Have I Considered the Possible Outcomes for My Course of Action?

• The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands. (Proverbs 14:1)
• The naïve believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)
• A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty. (Proverbs 27:12)

Questions to Ask

1. Do the “long math.”
2. Assess the potential risks.
3. Have a contingency plan.

9. Could This Decision Jeopardize My Integrity or Hinder My Witness for the Lord?

• Like a trampled spring and a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. (Proverbs 25:26)
• He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9)
• A righteous man who walks in his integrity—how blessed are his sons after him. (Proverbs 20:7)
• A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1)

Questions to Ask

1. Work toward the “center” rather than flirt with the “edge.”
2. Ask yourself, “Would this pass the ’newspaper‘ test?”
3. Keep short accounts.

10. Is There a Better Option That Would Allow Me to Make a Greater Impact for God’s Kingdom?

• The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. (Proverbs 11:30)

Questions to Ask

1. Ask yourself, “What story could God be writing?”
2. Don’t assume that just because something is hard that it is not God’s will.
3. Understand how God has uniquely gifted and resourced you.