Applying Biblical Examples to Everyday Decision-Making
Biblical examples offer guidance for daily decision-making by presenting models of behavior, both positive and negative, and illustrating principles for living a life aligned with God's will. The Bible frequently uses examples to encourage certain actions and warn against others [4].
One prominent example is Christ himself, whose life provides a pattern for believers in various aspects of decision-making. Jesus demonstrated self-denial, as seen in his resistance to temptation in the wilderness and his willingness to embrace suffering [3]. He also exemplified early rising for devotion, often seeking solitude for prayer in the mornings [2]. His liberality and compassion toward others serve as a model for generosity [7]. Furthermore, Christ's resignation to the Father's will, particularly in Gethsemane, illustrates submission to divine purpose even in distress [6]. The Apostle Peter explicitly states that Christ left an example for believers to follow [4].
Beyond Christ, numerous biblical figures offer examples for decision-making:
- Early Rising: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David are all noted for their practice of early rising, often in connection with executing God's commands or discharging daily duties [2]. Mary Magdalene's early visit to the tomb also highlights this practice [2].
- Self-Denial: The call to self-denial is a test of devotion to Christ, necessary for following him and for the spiritual warfare saints engage in [3]. This includes denying ungodliness, controlling appetite, and abstaining from fleshly lusts [3].
- Decision and Commitment: The Bible exhorts believers to make clear decisions, such as seeking God wholeheartedly, keeping his commandments, and being on the Lord's side [1]. This is contrasted with indecision, double-mindedness, or "halting between two opinions" [1]. Joshua's challenge to "choose this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15) is a classic example of this call to decisive commitment [1].
- Faith and Obedience: Noah's decision to build the ark, moved by godly fear, serves as an example of faith and obedience, leading to the saving of his household [5]. Moses' choice to suffer affliction with God's people rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin demonstrates a deliberate resolution based on mature judgment, balancing the world's temporary allure with eternal rewards [9].
The New Testament frequently refers to Old Testament figures as examples. The author of Hebrews points to the prophets as examples of suffering affliction [4]. The experiences of the Jews are also presented as a warning for believers [4]. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:15, appeals to the Corinthians' own judgment, suggesting that understanding the implications of their actions (like partaking in idol feasts) requires careful consideration of biblical principles [8]. He also encourages believers to follow his example as he follows Christ [4].
Biblical examples also highlight the consequences of decisions. The principle that behavior merits judgment, often illustrated by a harvest metaphor, is found throughout scripture [10]. Proverbs 22:8 and Galatians 6:7-8, for instance, speak to this principle [10]. While Jesus rejected simplistic applications of this principle to individual suffering (Luke 13:4; John 9:1-3), the broader concept of reaping what one sows remains a biblical teaching [10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 11:7 cross-references: Genesis 6:9, Genesis 6:13, Genesis 7:5, Genesis 7:23, Genesis 8:16, Genesis 19:14, Exodus 9:18, 2 Kings 4:5, Job 35:8, Proverbs 22:3, Proverbs 27:12, Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 14:14, Ezekiel 14:20, Matthew 3:7, Matthew 12:41, Matthew 24:15, Matthew 24:25, Matthew 24:38, Luke 11:31, Luke 17:26, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:22, Romans 4:11, Romans 4:13, Romans 9:30, Romans 10:6, Galatians 5:5, Philippians 3:9, Hebrews 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 2:5, 2 Peter 3:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:25: He balanced the best of the world with the worst of religion, and decidedly chose the latter. "Choosing" implies a deliberate resolution, not a hasty impulse. He was forty years old, a time when the judgment is matured. for a season--If the world has "pleasure" (Greek, "enjoyment") to offer, it is but "for a season." If religion bring with it "affliction," it too is but for a season; whereas its "pleasures are for evermore."”
- Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 4:8: 4:8 The harvest metaphor illustrates the scriptural principle that behavior merits judgment (Prov 22:8; Hos 8:7; Rom 2:9-11; Gal 6:7-8). The New Testament describes the final judgment as a harvest (Matt 13:39). Jesus rejected simplistic attempts to analyze people’s lives by this principle (Luke 13:4; John 9:1-3).”