Applying Biblical Truth to Personal Decision Making
Applying Biblical Truth to Personal Decision Making
The Bible emphasizes the importance of making decisions that align with God's truth. In Psalm 119:30, the psalmist declares, "I have chosen the way of truth" [2]. This commitment to truth is a hallmark of biblical decision-making, as seen in various scriptural exhortations to follow God's commandments and principles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights several key aspects of decision-making in the service of God, including seeking God with the heart (2 Chronicles 15:12), keeping God's commandments (Nehemiah 10:29), and following God fully (Numbers 14:24; Joshua 14:8) [1]. These actions demonstrate a commitment to aligning one's decisions with biblical teachings.
The biblical concept of truth is multifaceted. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, truth in Scripture can denote that which is opposed to falsehood, fidelity or truthfulness, or the doctrine of Christ [4]. In the context of decision-making, truth involves being faithful to God's word and principles.
In making personal decisions, believers are encouraged to exercise discernment and judgment. The apostle Paul appeals to the Corinthians' "powers of judgment" to weigh the implications of participating in idol feasts (1 Corinthians 10:15), demonstrating the importance of thoughtful decision-making [6]. Similarly, Job 34:4 suggests that individuals should "make the decision for ourselves as to what is right" [3].
The process of applying biblical truth to personal decision-making involves several key elements. It requires a commitment to following God's principles, as expressed in Scripture. It also involves self-reflection and a willingness to be guided by God's word. As Matthew Henry notes on Psalm 119:30, "those who will make anything to purpose of their religion must first make it their serious and deliberate choice" [5].
In the view of John Gill, choosing the way of truth involves selecting Christ, who is "the way and the truth," and this choice is made under the influence of the Spirit and grace of God [7]. This perspective underscores the importance of spiritual guidance in the decision-making process.
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”
- Psalms “I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me. -- Psalms 119:30”
- Job “Job 34:4 (BBE) — Let us make the decision for ourselves as to what is right; let us have the knowledge among ourselves of what is good.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Truth — Used in various senses in Scripture. In Prov. 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isa. 59:14, 15, Jer. 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called "the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5), "the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6).”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:30: Observe, I. That those who will make anything to purpose of their religion must first make it their serious and deliberate choice; so David did: I have chosen the way of truth. Note, 1. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the principles it is founded on are principles of eternal truth, and it is the only true way to happiness. 2. We must choose to walk in this way, not because we know no other way, but because we know no better; nay we know no other safe and good way. Let us choose that way for our way, which we will walk in, though it be narrow. I”
- 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”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:28: I have chosen the way of truth,.... Christ, who is the way and the truth, the true way to God and to eternal happiness; and to choose him is to choose the good part, which shall never be taken away; and which choice is made, not by the free will of man, as left to itself, but under the influence and by the direction of the Spirit and grace of God; whereby a soul sees a preferableness in Christ to every thing else, and which determines the choice of him: or, "the way of faith", as the Targum; the doctrine of faith, particularly the doctrine of justification by faith ”