Proverbs 16.25
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
God put you on this planet to be a decision-maker, and he wants to teach you practical wisdom for making wise choices in response to the real-world situations you face every day. The Lord understands that navigating life and work in a fallen world is often messy and difficult. That is the very reason he wants you to learn wisdom.
There are five critical components of thinking and decision-making to which you need to pay careful attention: principles, process, perspective, people, and purpose.
1) What principles guide the decisions you make every day? What reference point do you use for your decisions? These are your core beliefs and values. This is the “what” of your thinking.
Be faithful to the principles and precepts of scripture, and be faithful to the physics of the created world. God’s Word and God’s creation are the authoritative reference point for making decisions. Beware using what is fashionable and popular in modern culture as a reference point for your decisions.
Do not allow emotional impulse or old habits to guide the choices you make. Think and choose with your new nature, not your old nature (Ephesians 4.22-24).
Heed the warning of Proverbs 16.25. Your feelings are not the reference point for what is true. Neither are your thoughts. It is possibly to be deeply confident … and wrong. Do the work to find out what is true, then align your thoughts and feelings with the truth.
Facts don’t care about your feelings.
2) What process do you use for making decisions? This is your methodology for thinking and choosing. It is the “how” of your thinking.
Use a disciplined process for thinking and making decisions. Jeremiah 6.16 provides an outline of the key steps in decision-making: “Stop at the crossroads and look around you. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it. You will find rest for your souls.” Here are the steps:
- Pause, observe the situation carefully, and consider your options.
- Use scripture, history, and prayer to identify the best way forward.
- Choose, take disciplined action, and make adjustments along the way.
Keep in mind that your level of comfort with an option can be misleading. The most effective option may be something that is difficult and uncomfortable. Embrace the discomfort and do it anyway!!
We will look at the other three components tomorrow.
