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Testing Principles Against Scripture in Christian Decision Making

Christian decision-making frequently involves testing principles against Scripture, a practice rooted in the belief that the Bible is divinely inspired and authoritative [1]. This process requires believers to examine their own faith and actions in light of biblical teachings, ensuring alignment with God's will.

The concept of testing oneself is explicitly mentioned in Scripture. Paul exhorts believers in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" [2]. This passage underscores the personal responsibility of believers to assess their spiritual condition and the authenticity of their faith [12]. The "test" here is not merely an intellectual exercise but a deep introspection into whether Jesus Christ truly indwells the believer, indicating genuine faith [12]. The absence of Christ's presence would signify a failure in this test of authenticity [12].

Scripture itself is presented as the ultimate standard for such examination. It is referred to as "the Word," "the Word of God," "the Word of Christ," and "the Word of truth" [1]. The apostle Paul's writings, for instance, were instrumental in shaping the early Church's understanding of Christianity's relationship to Judaism and the Old Testament, guiding believers in their decisions [7]. The Bible is considered "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [1]. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [1].

The act of testing principles against Scripture involves several facets:

1. Personal Examination and Discernment: Believers are called to exercise their own powers of judgment, weighing arguments and decisions against biblical truth [8]. This is not an abdication of personal responsibility but an active engagement with the divine word. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalms 26:2, describes this as examining one's cause and integrity "as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice" [10]. This examination can also involve God "proving" or "tempting" individuals, not to learn something unknown to Him, but to demonstrate the genuineness of their faith, fear, and love, as seen in the testing of Abraham [10, 11].

2. Avoiding Testing God: While believers are to test themselves, they are cautioned against testing God out of doubt or unbelief. The Israelites, for example, tested the Lord in Exodus 17:2 by doubting His presence and care, demanding proof [9]. This kind of testing, which makes humanity the judge and God the defendant, is condemned [9]. In contrast, a test based on faith, such as expressing belief while seeking help for unbelief (Mark 9:24), is invited by God [9].

3. Decision and Commitment: Christian decision-making requires a firm resolve to serve God, which is contrasted with a "divided service" or "double-mindedness" [4]. This involves seeking God with the heart, keeping His commandments, and following Him fully [4]. Such decision-making is necessary for the service of God and is opposed to "halting between two opinions" [4].

4. Self-Denial and Confession: Testing principles against Scripture often leads to decisions that require self-denial. Christ exemplified self-denial, and it serves as a test of devotedness to Him [5]. This includes denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, and abstaining from fleshly desires [5]. Furthermore, confessing Christ is a crucial aspect of Christian decision-making, influenced by the Holy Spirit and serving as a test of being a saint and an evidence of union with God [6]. This confession is necessary for salvation and ensures Christ will confess believers before God [6].

5. The Role of Judgment: The concept of judgment, both divine and human, is integral to this process. The Bible speaks of a future day of judgment administered by Christ, where all will stand before Him [3]. This awareness can inform present-day decision-making, encouraging believers to live in a manner consistent with their faith. The "revelation of the righteous judgment of God" (Romans 2:5) serves as a backdrop for ethical and moral choices [3].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  2. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 13:5 (BSB) — Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
  4. 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”
  5. 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 ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
  7. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: at Jerusalem ( Acts xv., Gal. i., ii .) and was substantially determined by the apostle Paul. While as matter of fact, the Church has always followed the lead of Paul in this matter, the most diverse views still prevail among Christians as to the relation, theoretically considered, of Christianity to Judaism and the Old Testament Scriptures.—G.B.S. 532 St. Chrys. seems here to be controverting a different exposition. He will not allow that the vision was meant for instruction to St. Peter, as if he were in ignorance up to this time of the counsel of ”
  8. 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”
  9. Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 17:2: 17:2 testing the Lord is explained in 17:7. They doubted that God was really with them or cared for them, and they demanded that he prove his presence and care. God invites a test based on faith (“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief,” Mark 9:24), but he abhors a test based on doubt (i.e., I don’t believe, and I think God should prove himself to me, as in John 6:30). The test based on doubt makes us the judge and God the defendant.”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:2: Examine me, O Lord,.... His cause, his integrity, and trust in the Lord, as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice; and prove me; or "tempt me" (r); as Abraham was tempted by the Lord; and his faith in him, and fear of him, and love to him, were proved to be true and genuine; try my reins and my heart; the thoughts, desires, and affections of it, as gold and silver are tried in the furnace; and so God sometimes tries the faith and patience of his people by afflictive providences; and this examin”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: tempt Abraham, so He was putting Peter to the proof whether he would obey the call to the Gentiles, as if Peter understood the vision in that sense. Had he so understood the command, “Kill and eat,” he would not have objected; for he could not be either ignorant or unwilling. But he did not so understand it, and his objection was solely to the matter of eating. And as he needed not the lesson (it was intended for others): so neither did God need to learn his willingness. When God tempts, or proves, it is not to learn something that He did not know be”
  12. 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 13:5: 13:5-6 The issue is clear cut: If they cannot recognize that Jesus Christ is living among them, they are the ones who have failed the test of genuine faith (literally are disproved). There is a play on words here: They were looking for “proof” of Paul’s apostolic authority, but Paul urges them, Test yourselves (or Prove yourselves). The lack of Christ’s presence would disprove their authenticity as Christians. But Paul himself has demonstrated that he has not failed the test of apostolic authority (literally not been disproved).”
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