Five Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making A Decision
This summer we have discussed many difficult issues. We have looked at some of the issues that you are challenged with daily or will be challenged with sometime in your life. Some of the issues are clearly addressed in the Word of God, while others are established by biblical principles. In Psalm 73 Asaph is close to making some unwise decisions. In fact in verse 2, he confessed “my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.” How do we make decisions and come to biblical conclusions? Here are some powerful questions that can be used to guide your decision making process from Psalm 73.
Question #1. Am I confident that God is good, and that His way is best?
This may seem like a strange question to ask. Is God good? What does that have to do with making a decision in life? Let’s ask it this way; do we actually believe God and His plans are the best for us? Asaph starts off Psalm 73 with the statement that his decision to follow the Lord is based on his conclusion that God is good. If we have not concluded that God is just and right and His ways are best, we will experience difficulty wholly following God’s plan. Jesus, our great example, was fully surrendered to God’s plan for His life. This allowed Jesus to make great but difficult decisions for His life. It even allowed Him to make the decision to die on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The Christian that is confident that God’s way is best, will be content with any decision God leads them to, because they are persuaded that God is good and His way is best.
Question #2. What is influencing my decision?
The second question requires personal honesty. What is influencing the decision or my conclusion? Asaph acknowledged in Psalm 73:3 that the influence of the decisions he was about to make. Asaph said “ I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” He was not being influenced by biblical truth but personal observation. Answering this question correctly requires the light of God’s Word and the discernment of the Holy Spirit to reveal our true heart. As we have discussed difficult topics this summer, if we are honest, many of are decisions are based on cultural influences more than biblical influences. Psalms 1 promises blessing to the individual that is controlled by God’s Word.
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
So as we determine the paths we take in life, we must ask ourselves what is the compelling force behind our decisions. Just a hint, it should be the Word of God!
Question #3. Where will I end up?
After Asaph reveals the thoughts behind the conclusion he was forming in his mind, he was made aware of the outcome of this decision. In verse 17, he says “…I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment!…" Ask yourself, If I make this decision where will I be next week, month, or even years from now. Will it be a decision that causes regret or a life of blessing. Esau should have asked this question in Genesis 25.
Genesis 25:29-34
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Esau sold his future for food, because he made a decision based on the immediate.
Question #4. Have I obtained godly counsel?
Before we make any decision, we should always consult God’s Word and spend time seeking God’s direction in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). Asaph learned the importance of godly counsel. In fact, he made a decision to be guided by God’s counsel. Asaph told the Lord, “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” (Psalm 73:23-24) We can learn a great lesson from Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12. Rehoboam chose the counsel of the current culture and made a wrong decision.
1 Kings 12:3-11
…And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Take the initiative to ask counsel of people that are walking according to God’s Word whether it is a parent, teacher, pastor, or godly mentor. Seek out God’s wisdom.
Question #5. Am I actively drawing close to God?
We can never make a decision about the will of God if we are not nurturing our walk with God. It is amazing how many people “know” God’s will, but they haven’t spent any time in His Word. Many times we fit Jesus’ description of the Pharisees.
Matthew 15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.