-Decisive in God's Will

Joshua 24:15

James 1:5-8

Decisive: Making all decisions based on the perfect will of God

Every day we make decisions.

Some are small.

Some shape the direction of our lives for years to come.

A young man chooses whether to follow the crowd or follow Christ.

A husband decides whether he will lead his home spiritually or stay passive.

A church decides whether it will move forward by faith or settle into comfort.

One decision can change everything.

In 1924, Olympic runner refused to run his best event because it was scheduled on Sunday.

People mocked him.

Officials pressured him.

The world thought he was throwing away his opportunity.

But he had already settled the matter in his heart.

He would obey God first.

His decision became one of the great testimonies of Christian conviction in modern history.

Many Christians struggle spiritually, not because they don’t know truth, but because they never firmly decide to obey it.

Joshua gathered Israel together near the end of his life.

He reminded them of God’s goodness, God’s power, and God’s faithfulness.

Then he called them to a decision.

Joshua 24:15 says, “choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

God is still calling His people to decisive living.

I. Decisive Christians Choose God Completely

Before anyone can live decisively for God, there has to come a moment where they stop drifting spiritually and make a clear choice about whom they are going to follow.

A. A Choice Must Be Made

Joshua did not leave Israel in neutral territory.

He called them to choose.

Joshua 24:15 says, “choose you this day whom ye will serve.”

God never intended for His people to live halfway between obedience and compromise.

Elijah gave a similar challenge on Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 18:21 KJV

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

Many believers want enough of God to feel safe, but enough of the world to feel comfortable.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:24

Matthew 6:24 KJV

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

A divided heart will always produce unstable living.

Some people spend years delaying spiritual decisions.

They delay salvation.

They delay surrender.

They delay forgiveness.

They delay obedience.

Felix trembled under Paul’s preaching in Acts 24, but delayed responding to God.

The Bible never records that he ever truly turned to Christ.

Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

Lot lingered in Sodom when judgment was falling.

Israel wandered in the wilderness because they would not fully trust God.

King Agrippa was “almost” persuaded.

Almost obedience is still rebellion against God.

One of Satan’s greatest weapons is not always open wickedness.

Sometimes it is just simple delay.

“Tomorrow.”

“Later.”

“When life settles down.”

“When I understand more.”

“When it is easier.”

But the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2

2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

The devil loves undecided Christians because undecided Christians rarely move forward spiritually.

B. Conviction Must Be Settled

Joshua said, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua had already made his decision before the pressure came.

Daniel did the same thing in Babylon.

Daniel 1:8 KJV

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

He settled his convictions before the temptation arrived.

Many Christians fail in moments of pressure because they never decided beforehand what they believed.

You must decide now:

Will you obey God when it costs you something?

Will you stand for truth when culture mocks you?

Will you follow Scripture even when others compromise?

Will you remain faithful even if others walk away?

Psalm 119:106 KJV

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, That I will keep thy righteous judgments.

Strong Christian living begins with settled conviction.

Joseph settled purity before Potiphar’s wife tempted him.

The three Hebrew young men settled worship before the music ever played.

The apostles settled obedience when they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Convictions are not built in crisis moments.

They are revealed in crisis moments.

There’s a story of a farmer who kept wandering back and forth trying to decide where to plant his crops.

By the time he finally chose a field, the planting season had nearly passed.

His hesitation cost him the harvest.

Indecision in spiritual matters also carries a cost.

A wavering Christian misses opportunities, loses influence, and weakens his testimony.

C. Commitment Must Be Personal

Joshua said, “as for me and my house.”

Joshua could not choose for the nation, but he could choose for himself.

You cannot live off your parents’ convictions.

You cannot survive on your pastor’s walk with God.

You must personally decide whom you will serve.

Romans 14:12 KJV

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

God is looking for believers who will say:

“I’m going to obey God no matter what others do.”

That kind of decisiveness influences others.

When a father decisively follows God, it affects the home.

When church members decisively follow God, it strengthens the church.

When young people decisively follow God, it gives courage to others around them.

I think of Ruth when Naomi urged her to turn back.

Ruth said, “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”

That decision changed her future and placed her in the lineage of Christ.

Never underestimate what God can do through one surrendered life.

II. Decisive Christians Seek God’s Wisdom Carefully

Once the heart is settled that we truly want God’s will, the next question becomes this: where do we find the wisdom to make right decisions in a confusing world?

A. God Gives Wisdom Generously

Our second text verses in James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”

God never mocks a believer for needing guidance.

Sometimes we face decisions that are confusing.

We don’t know which direction to go.

We don’t know what tomorrow holds.

We don’t know what choice will bring the greatest honor to God.

But God promises wisdom to those who seek Him.

Psalm 32:8 KJV

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

God sees what we cannot see.

He knows the end from the beginning.

One of the greatest mistakes Christians make is deciding first and praying later.

Too many believers ask:

“What do I want?”

“What feels easiest?”

“What makes me happiest?”

“What makes me comfortable?”

“What will people think?”

The better question is: “What does God want?”

Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

God’s wisdom is always better than human reasoning.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

That ought to describe believers often.

There are moments where we desperately need heaven’s wisdom.

Too many Christians are guided more by emotions than by Scripture.

Emotions change.

Opinions change.

Culture changes.

God’s Word does not change.

Isaiah 55:8 KJV

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

Sometimes God’s direction does not immediately make sense to us.

Noah built an ark before rain ever came.

Joshua marched around Jericho instead of attacking.

Gideon reduced his army instead of increasing it.

God’s ways often require faith before understanding.

B. God’s Wisdom Requires Faith

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

God warns against a double-minded spirit.

James 1:8 says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

The word “double minded” carries the idea of being divided in soul and loyalty.

A person who constantly shifts with emotions, fears, and opinions will struggle to move forward spiritually.

Faith says: “If God’s Word says it, then I will obey it.”

Abraham did not know where God was leading him, but Hebrews 11:8 says he “obeyed.”

Hebrews 11:8 KJV

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Faith does not require seeing the whole path.

Faith requires trusting the One leading us down the path.

Many Christians want certainty before obedience.

God usually asks for obedience before certainty.

Peter stepped out of the boat before he experienced the miracle of walking on water.

The priests stepped into Jordan before the waters parted.

The widow gave her last meal before God multiplied the supply.

Faith moves forward when God speaks.

Fear always demands more proof.

C. God’s Wisdom Must Be Followed

Wisdom is not merely hearing God’s truth.

Wisdom is obeying God’s truth.

Matthew 7:24 KJV

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Knowledge without obedience produces spiritual pride.

Truth without action produces spiritual weakness.

A compass only helps if you follow it.

I heard of a man who became lost in a snowstorm.

He had directions to safety, but he ignored them because he thought he knew a better way.

Rescuers later found him frozen only a short distance from shelter.

Ignoring God’s wisdom always leads to damage.

God’s Word is not given merely for admiration.

It is given for direction.

Psalm 119:105 KJV

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

You know, sometimes God’s will is not mysterious.

Sometimes we already know what we ought to do.

We just don’t want to do it.

God has already spoken about forgiveness.

God has already spoken about purity.

God has already spoken about faithfulness.

God has already spoken about church attendance.

God has already spoken about prayer and witnessing.

The issue is often not lack of guidance.

The issue is lack of surrender.

III. Decisive Christians Stand Firm Courageously

Knowing God’s will is one thing, but standing by that decision when pressure comes is where real spiritual courage is revealed.

You see…

A. Decisive Living Often Brings Pressure

Joshua stood before a nation that repeatedly struggled with idolatry.

It is not easy to stand firm when others compromise.

Young people face pressure at school.

Adults face pressure at work.

Churches face pressure from culture.

Romans 12:2 KJV

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The world constantly pressures believers to soften convictions and lower standards.

But truth does not change because culture changes.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood when everyone else bowed.

Daniel 3:17–18 KJV

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

That is decisive faith.

The crowd is usually moving away from God, not toward Him.

Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction.

Sometimes obedience to God will make you stand alone.

But standing with God is always better than fitting in with the world.

B. Decisive Living Requires Courage

Courage is not the absence of fear.

Courage is obeying God despite fear.

Joshua understood this well.

Earlier in his life, God told him repeatedly to be strong and of great courage, like in Joshua 1:6

Joshua 1:6 KJV

6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Courage grows when confidence in God grows.

David faced Goliath because he believed the battle belonged to the Lord.

Fear focuses on obstacles.

Faith focuses on God.

Many believers already know what God wants them to do.

The struggle is not confusion.

The struggle is courage.

Sometimes the decisive step is:

Making things right.

Breaking sinful habits.

Speaking truth.

Apologizing.

Surrendering fully to God’s call.

God honors courageous obedience.

William Borden was born into great wealth as the heir to the Borden dairy fortune.

He could have lived a life of comfort, luxury, and success by the world’s standards.

After graduating from high school, his family sent him on a trip around the world.

As he traveled through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, he saw hurting people who had never heard the Gospel.

God burdened his heart for missions.

When he returned home, he shocked many people by surrendering his life to serve Christ on the mission field.

Friends thought he was wasting his potential.

Some mocked him for walking away from wealth and prestige.

While attending Yale University, he wrote two words in the back of his Bible:

“No reserves.”

Later, when pressure came to abandon his calling, he wrote:

“No retreats.”

After finishing his training, he traveled toward China to minister to Muslims there.

But while in Egypt studying Arabic, he contracted spinal meningitis.

At only twenty-five years old, William Borden died before ever reaching the field he had prepared for.

Many would say his life was wasted.

But after his death, people found one final phrase written in his Bible:

“No regrets.”

William Borden had decisively chosen the will of God over the comforts of this world.

And though his life was short, his testimony still challenges Christians more than a century later.

The safest place in life is always in the will of God.

C. Decisive Living Leaves A Lasting Influence

Joshua’s words still challenge believers thousands of years later.

One decisive Christian can influence generations.

A mother who faithfully follows God shapes her children.

A father who leads spiritually changes the direction of a home.

A church member who stands faithfully encourages the entire church family.

Hebrews 11 is filled with people who made decisive choices by faith.

Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.”

Ruth chose to follow the God of Israel.

Paul chose Christ over reputation and comfort.

Their decisions still speak to us today.

Your decisions are preaching sermons to those around you every day.

Children are watching.

Grandchildren are watching.

The church is watching.

The lost world is watching.

When believers decisively follow God, it becomes a testimony of His worthiness.

Conclusion

Joshua stood before the people and said, “choose you this day whom ye will serve.”

God is still calling His people to decisive living.

Some need to decisively trust Christ for salvation.

Some need to decisively surrender an area of compromise.

Some need to decisively follow God’s will they’ve been resisting.

Years ago, a ship captain faced a violent storm near the shoreline.

Visibility was nearly gone.

Someone asked him how he could safely navigate in such darkness.

He replied that he simply lined up three fixed lights on the shore.

As long as those lights stayed aligned, the ship stayed safe.

The Christian life is filled with storms and decisions.

But God has given us fixed lights:

His Word,

His Spirit,

and His wisdom.

When we align our lives with Him, He guides us safely.

Don’t live wavering between obedience and compromise.

Don’t live double minded.

Don’t delay the decisions God is calling you to make.

Choose today whom you will serve.

And by God’s grace, determine to say with Joshua, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”