By Floyd McClung

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.- Ps. 32:8

There is no more perplexing challenge for a Christian than making an important decision, particularly when it seems the only choice is between two or three equally good alternatives. How does one know God�fs will in such a situation? What questions or guidelines should a dedicated Christian follow when making an important decision? Though there is no formula that guarantees the right answer when confronted with tough choices, there are Biblical guidelines to help us.

Imagine a young man taking a driving test. His examiner gives him one last piece of advice before he takes the test: �Thomas, obey all the signs.�h Then Thomas gets into the car with the examiner, and waits. And waits. And waits. After a time the frustrated examiner asks him if he knows how to start the car. Thomas assures him he does and continues to wait. The examiner becomes impatient and responds: �gIf this is some kind of joke, I�fm not amused. Either get the car started, or get out.� Thomas is shocked and reminds the examiner that he told him to obey all the signs, so he is waiting for a sign to start the car!

�Nobody could be that stupid,� you say. Yet many of us are like Thomas. We want a �gsign�h from God telling us exactly what to do in each situation in life. God may do that at times, but he is more interested in us studying the instruction manual and to discern how God guides so we can listen to His voice, and to learn principles for making wise decisions. God wants to teach us how to make decisions, not give us pat answers for each situation in life.

Therein is found the key to Godly decision making: asking the right questions. Some people want a formula that spells it all out for them, but God is not interested in treating us like robots. He doesn�ft want machines that obey when the right button is pushed, but wise children that have learned His ways, listen to His voice, and live according to the character of their father in heaven. Hebrews 5:14 says, �gBut solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.�

The Crucial Elements of Decision Making

It is in the crucible of life that we learn to make the sagacious choices. Some people want a way out of the responsibility of making hard choices; they would be happy if God made all the decisions for them. But running from responsibility does not produce maturity.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are some Christians that know exactly what they want, they just need God to approve what they have already decided to do so they can get on with the job - with a smug sense that they do have God�fs blessing, of course. If we are to make Godly choices in our business, at home, and in our personal lives, there is more to it than simply getting God to stamp our plan.

Godly decision making involves several crucial elements. Firstly, it means examining our motivation: why do we want what we do? Are we already convinced of the right decision, and just want God to bless our pre-conceived notions? Are we really open to do whatever is right in the situation, no matter the cost in terms of personal sacrifice? Making important decisions in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord means not just surrendering our desires, wants and wishes to God, but surrendering our entire life to Him.

Secondly, Godly decision making involves trust. If a person does not trust God absolutely, making an important decision with total openness to any of the alternatives is very difficult. This is especially true if one is not secure in their own identity in Christ. If that is the case, personal sacrifice feels like God is taking something away from you. It will seem as though God is taking sides against you.

Making an important decision can be an opportunity to learn to trust the Lord more deeply. If there are undealt with wounds from your past, unresolved guilt or shame that controls your behavior, allow God to use the process of decision making to heal you of these wounds and rebuild your understanding of His trustworthiness. Invite Him to renew your understanding of who He is, and who you are in His eyes (Romans 12:1-2).

A third crucial element in decision making is submission to the authority of God�fs word, the Bible. The precepts of His word are life principles that cover the majority of the decisions we make in life. It is only when there is no clear choice between what is ethical and what is not, what is clearly selfish and what is not, what is moral and what is immoral, do we need further direction from the Holy Spirit.

There is no substitute for the regular study of God�fs word. The Bible is truth. It is revealed by God through men for instruction in Godliness. Because it is His word to us, only a fool will ignore the book of life.

A fourth element in decision making is learning to hear God�fs voice. When there is no clear �gbest�h choice, we are confronted with the tough task of choosing between two or three equally good alternatives. There are times when Godly counselors, or experts in a particular field, will be able to help us make the best decision. But even then, it is important to know from the Lord that what the experts all agree is the best decision, is what God wants for you. Only the Lord knows what is right for you at a particular time in your life. To know what God wants requires the ability to hear His voice (There are some excellent tapes and books available on the subject. I recommend…)

The Purpose of This Paper

The purpose of this paper is to help you consider all aspects of an important decision. To make sure you are covering all the angles, we have listed a series of questions that will serve as a personal check list as you move through the decision making process. Some of them are general questions, applicable to all decisions, others are listed by category. Hopefully, these questions will provide an objective framework for you that will not be lost sight of when you are in the �gheat of the battle.�h

Generic Questions - Applicable to All Decisions

1. What has God said so far? Do you have any sense of previous guidance that makes sense when you consider this choice?

2. How would this fit in with your long term plan, vision, calling form God?

3. Will the choice you are going to make be consistent with the values you have chosen to live by?

4. What are the pros and cons for your family and spouse? How will it affect your children?

5. Have you included the important people in your life in this decision? Are you taking serious the counsel of friends? Is there more than one person advising you against this decision?

6. Would this decision hinder or assist your personal spiritual growth?

7. Begin with the end in sight - what do you want to build with your life? Is this decision consistent with what you believe God wants to build through you long term?

8. If you are involved in management or leadership, how would this decision fit with your present stage of leadership development? The development of your spiritual gifts?

9. Do the options you are considering fit with past experiences and lessons? Does it build on what you have already learned?

8. What are Godly counselors, mentors saying? Are you listening to them?

9. Do you have a peace about this? The opposite of the peace of God is feeling driven to make a decision, or guilty if you don�ft do it.

10. Is there an inward feeling of pressure, impatience, fear? Do you feel you will miss something if you don�ft hurry?

11. Is there an unknown option that God has not yet shown you?

12. Is this the right time? It is important to make a distinction between the right thing to do, and the right time to do it.

13. Are you burning any bridges behind you unnecessarily?

14. Will this decision tap into your spiritual gifts? Or is it requiring you to do something that is not you?

15. Have you paid the price?

16. Are you in transition? If so, consider:

• What is God bringing to an end?
• What should you let go of?
• What are you to learn about the character of God during this time?
• Are there new areas of creativity God wants to release in you?
• Are there old dependencies God wants to bring to end that have been unhealthy?
• What does God want to begin?
• How is all this affecting your relationships?
• Are you maintaining the right attitude of heart?
• Are there old wounds or disappointments God wants to heal before you move on?

17. In terms of motives:

• Are you running from something or someone?
• Is there greed?
• What about jealousy?
• Are you willing to let go of roles or positions? Are you running from responsibility?
• Will this glorify the Lord?
• Are there sacrifices you are not willing to make for the Lord?
• Are you frightened that if you miss this chance you might not have another?
• Are you afraid to admit you were wrong?
• Are you going ahead with this because you don�ft want to let others down? Will that really help them or you in the long run?

18. Are you making a decision at a time of physical vulnerability? Are your emotions susceptible?

19. Are you reacting?

20. Is it the right thing to do, and the right time, but others are thwarting the will of God? Are you willing to have the mind of Christ towards these people? Are you willing to let the decision pass for the sake of unity even though the right thing is not being done? Philippians 2:1-11.

21. Is this decision going to put you in a position of being debt driven?