Decision Making and Guidance from God's Word
Decision Making and Guidance from God's Word
The concept of decision making and guidance from God's Word is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of aligning one's decisions with God's will as revealed in Scripture. The Bible provides numerous exhortations to seek God's guidance and to make decisions in accordance with His commandments [1].
The Psalmist expresses a deep desire for guidance, praying, "Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments" [4]. This sentiment is echoed in Proverbs, which highlights the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding through the study of God's Word [2]. The biblical emphasis is on making decisions that are informed by Scripture and guided by a desire to follow God's will.
In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as one who seeks to do the will of His Father, stating, "I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me" [5]. This Christocentric approach to decision making underscores the importance of aligning one's will with God's.
The Bible is considered the infallible Word of God, written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and is thus the ultimate source of guidance for decision making [3]. The writer of Hebrews describes the Word of God as "living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart" [6]. This highlights the Word's role in guiding believers in their decision making.
Reformed interpreters, such as John Gill, emphasize the importance of the Word of God in guiding decision making. Gill notes that the "counsel of the Lord standeth for ever" and that God's purposes and decrees are "eternal and unfrustrable" [7]. Similarly, Calvin stresses that true wisdom is obtained from God's Word and that believers should seek guidance from Scripture [9].
The Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, also underscores the significance of Scripture in decision making. Henry observes that God's Word is "righteousness itself, the rule and standard of righteousness" and that it will be the basis for judgment [8].
In making decisions, believers are encouraged to seek guidance from God's Word, to pray for wisdom, and to align their will with God's. The biblical emphasis is on seeking a deep understanding of God's will through the study of Scripture and prayer, rather than relying solely on human judgment or reasoning.
The Reformed tradition, as seen in the writings of Calvin and Gill, places a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God in guiding decision making. According to this view, God's purposes and decrees are eternal and unfrustrable, and believers should seek to align their decisions with God's will as revealed in Scripture [7, 9].
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”
- Proverbs “to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; -- Proverbs 1:2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word of God — (Heb. 4:12, etc.). The Bible so called because the writers of its several books were God's organs in communicating his will to men. It is his "word," because he speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and binding upon us, God declares to be true and binding. This word is infallible, because written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept. (See [670]INSPIRATION; [671]BIBLE.) All saving knowledge is obtained from the word of God. In the case of ”
- Psalms “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. -- Psalms 119:66”
- John “I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me. -- John 5:30”
- Hebrews “For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. -- Hebrews 4:12”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 33:11: The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever,.... By which are meant, not the doctrines of the Gospel, nor the ordinances of it; though these will stand firm, and remain to the end of the world; but the purposes and decrees of God, which are wisely formed in himself, are eternal and unfrustrable, and relate to all things in providence and grace. The Lord does all things according to the counsel of his will in the government of the world, and in the salvation of men: the choice of persons to everlasting life is according to it; and so are their redemption, effectual call”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:142: Observe, 1. That God's word is righteousness, and it is an everlasting righteousness. It is the rule of God's judgment, and it is consonant to his counsels from eternity and will direct his sentence for eternity. The word of God will judge us, it will judge us in righteousness, and by it our everlasting state will be determined. This should possess us with a very great reverence for the word of God that it is righteousness itself, the standard of righteousness, and it is everlasting in its rewards and punishments. 2. That God's word is a law, and that law is tr”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 18.11: their unbelief and rebellion; and because they have resolved not to obey the word of God, neither do they ask his Spirit. Hence arises that miserable and shameful result. Wretchedly and ruinously must those deliberations and purposes end, over which the Lord does not preside. There is no wisdom that is not obtained from “his mouth;” and if we “ask at his mouth,” that is, if we consult his word, we shall also be guided by his Spirit, from whom all prudence and wisdom proceeds. Let it be observed that two things are here connected, the word an”