Making decisions can be tough! Especially as a Christian, you (usually) want to do the “right” thing and make the “right” choice. Often, we get morality involved and make decisions— especially those big, life decisions—a choice between right and wrong.
But I want to show you today that there’s usually more freedom in decision-making as a Christian than we realize. Let’s not make it harder on ourselves than it has to be! Here are four principles for decision-making that should help you think like a Christian in your choices.
1. Start with Scripture
The first thing is obviously starting with the Bible as our foundation. If it’s our authority in life, then it’s the first place to start. Does Scripture speak to your choice? Is the Bible explicitly against one of the choices you’re considering? Or does it explicitly bless a choice you’re considering? Are there principles in Scripture that you can clearly apply to your decision?
For example, we know we should never choose to commit adultery, or lie for our own personal gain, or murder someone. Those are explicit. But then for things like where to go to college, or who to marry, or other big life decisions, there are guiding principles. Scripture won’t decide those things for us (like who to marry) but it does give us principles to consider when making the decision.
2. Cross the Line of Freedom
Outside of Scripture, we can draw a line of freedom that we cross over when making decisions. As long as Scripture isn’t against one of our choices, and we’re following those principles laid out for us, we have the freedom to choose!
That doesn’t sit well with some people at first. But when you think about it, it’s absolutely right! God doesn’t make our decisions for us, unless he makes it explicitly clear in Scripture. We actually have to do the hard work of making decisions ourselves. Asking God to decide for us is just lazy.
For example, if we’re considering marrying someone, we know Scripture says we ought to marry someone who follows Jesus and believes the Bible… someone who is pursuing godliness and can push us to godliness, as well. Outside of that, there is freedom to choose! You don’t need a direct “sign” or “peace” from God to ensure you’re making the “right” choice. When there’s freedom, the choice is ultimately yours.
The idea of having “a peace” about a decision you’re making isn’t biblical. We can have peace no matter our circumstances because we already have peace with God. Nowhere does the Bible promise that if we pray hard enough, God will give us a peace about our decisions. Embrace the freedom and follow the last two principles in Christian decision-making.
3. What’s Wise
Within the freedom to choose we must consider what is wise. Just because something isn’t wise doesn’t make it morally wrong (sinful). But there are probably better and worse choices we can make in any given scenario.
To go back to the marriage example, there may be someone you’re considering marrying who follows Jesus and aligns with your own theological beliefs, but who has some serious family or personal issues that you cannot see yourself handling well in the future if you get married.
Depending on the situation, it may not be wise to marry them. It doesn’t mean you’ve sinned if you do, or that you’re somehow “out of God’s will.” It just means you may have to deal with consequences that are difficult because you’ve made an unwise decision. That’s okay, though, because thank God he is sovereign and can use all things (good and bad, wise or unwise) for our good and his mission.
4. Your Own Desires
Finally, you can consider your own desires. What do you want to do? If you’ve determined Scripture is not against it, and you’ve done the hard work of considering whether or not it’s wise, then, what do you want?
If you’re considering marriage to someone, do you want to marry them? If so, why? Are your desires illicit, or are they god-honoring? As long as Scripture is still the lens through which you’re looking, you have the freedom to choose.
Other Considerations
Alongside this linear decision-making process [Scripture > (line of freedom) > Wisdom > Desires], you have four principles that act as guides to keep your decision-making process on the rails, so to speak. Think of them like parentheses around the decision-making equation.
- You must constantly pray and ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 says if we do, God will give it!
- You must constantly be walking in the Spirit, pursuing Christian maturity.
- You must also recognize God’s sovereignty in everything and trust him to work it out for his purposes and your good.
- Then finally, you must involve others and get wise counsel at every level of the process. Wise counsel can ensure we’re reading and interpreting Scripture correctly; it can ensure we’re considering all the angles when deciding what’s wise; and it can help us discern whether our desires are godly or selfish.
I hope this helps you make better decisions as a Christian! There’s freedom in decision-making. And it’s important to have a biblical and God-honoring approach, not one that’s lazy or unbiblical or based on feelings and “inner peace.” Taking the wrong approach can lead to frustration at best, and sin, at worst.
Who knows, now that you’re better equipped to choose maybe you need to make the decision to join our launch team to Roanoke! We know Scripture commands church planting and living on mission in the world. So you cross the line of freedom and have to ask yourself two things: is it wise for you to move with us, and do you want to join the team?
Thankfully, as long as you’re living on mission for Jesus wherever you are, there’s freedom to choose.
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Carter Mundy is the Lead Planter for Redemption Church. He and his lovely wife, Tamara, and their three beautiful children are excited to get to Roanoke and be a part of mobilizing Jesus-followers to lead a restless culture to the redeeming Savior.