Balancing Objectivity and Conviction in Christian Decision Making

Christian decision-making involves a dynamic interplay between objective biblical truths and the subjective convictions of faith. The Bible consistently calls for believers to make clear and resolute choices in their service to God, emphasizing the necessity of decision in following Him fully and without wavering ^[2].

The concept of "decision" in a Christian context is often presented as a commitment to God's service, exemplified by seeking God wholeheartedly, keeping His commandments, and being on His side ^[2]. This commitment stands in opposition to a "divided service," "double-mindedness," or "halting between two opinions" ^[2]. Such steadfastness is rooted in believing God and Christ, loving God and Christ, obeying God and Christ, and following Christ's example ^[1]. This involves living righteously, soberly, and godly, and walking honestly ^[1].

Objectivity in Christian decision-making is grounded in God's revealed will, primarily found in Scripture. The "way of truth" is identified with "serious godliness," built upon "principles of eternal truth" ^[10]. This objective standard means that certain actions are inherently acceptable to God, such as the person and work of Christ, the services and sufferings of His people, and actions that align with His will and are done in faith ^[8]. The Bible provides clear directives for conduct, such as fearing God, loving God, and obeying God ^[1]. It also calls for diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, and guarding against defilement ^[4].

However, Christian decision-making also incorporates personal conviction, which is shaped by an individual's measure of faith and spiritual maturity. Paul, in Romans 12:3, advises believers "not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith" ^[3]. This suggests that while there are objective truths, the application and understanding of these truths can vary based on individual spiritual development. John Gill, commenting on Hebrews 5:13, notes that "strong meat" belongs to those of "full age" or "perfect," implying a progression in spiritual understanding, though he clarifies that this does not refer to a perfection of justification or sanctification ^[6].

The apostle Paul himself demonstrated a commitment to focusing on core truths, stating, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Christ, and him crucified" ^[7]. This highlights a conviction to prioritize the central message of the Gospel. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Romans 14:14, discusses Paul's declaration that "nothing is unclean of itself," which he attributes to "inspiration and authority of Jesus Christ" ^[9]. Yet, Paul still advises caution for those with weaker consciences, indicating that while an objective truth may exist, the application of that truth must consider the convictions and sensitivities of others ^[9].

Self-denial is another aspect that balances objective commands with personal conviction. Christ set an example of self-denial, which is presented as a test of devotedness to Him and necessary for following Him ^[5]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetite, and abstaining from fleshly lusts ^[5]. These are objective calls to holiness, but the specific ways in which an individual exercises self-denial can be a matter of personal conviction guided by the Spirit.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
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”
Romans “Romans 12:3 (NASB) — For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
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 ”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 5:13: But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,.... Or perfect; see Co1 2:6. This does not intend a perfection of justification; for though some have a greater degree of faith than others, and a clearer discovery of their justification, yet babes in Christ are as perfectly justified as more grown and experienced believers; nor a perfection of sanctification, for there is no perfection of holiness but in Christ; and though the work of sanctification may be in greater perfection in one saint than in another, yet all are imperfect in this life; and as to a perfe”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 2:2: For I determined not to know anything among you,.... This was a resolution the apostle entered into before he came among them, that though he was well versed in human literature, and had a large compass of knowledge in the things of nature, yet would make known nothing else unto them, or make anything else the subject of his ministry, save Christ, and him crucified: he had a spiritual and experimental knowledge of Christ himself, and which he valued above all things else; and this qualified him to make him known to others; and which knowledge he was very willi”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:9: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise of them; and the actions of their lives and conversations, when they are becoming the Gospel, are according to the will of God, and are done in faith, and are directed to his glory: and these things which are acceptable to”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 14:14: I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus - After reasoning so long and so much with these contending parties on the subject of their mutual misunderstandings, without attempting to give any opinion, but merely to show them the folly and uncharitableness of their conduct, he now expresses himself fully, and tells them that nothing is unclean of itself, and that he has the inspiration and authority of Jesus Christ to say so; for to such an inspiration he must refer in such words as, I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus. And yet, after having given them this d”
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”

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