Decision-Making and Providence

Acts 21:7–14 ESV

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Introduction - Would you still go somewhere that you were told bad things are going to happen for you? that is the question confronting Paul and He comes to a decision trusting the providence of God.

Decisions should be grounded in a relationship with God

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

See also Ps 23:1–3; Ps 25:4–5; Ps 25:8–9; Ps 25:12; Pr 9:10 Wisdom involves making right moral decisions; Mt 6:31–33

Matthew 6:31–33 ESV

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

God guides decision-making

Through Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

See also Ps 19:7–11; Ps 119:9; Ps 119:11; Ps 119:98–100; Ps 119:104–105; Ps 119:130

The temptation of Jesus Christ is a good example of how Scripture can inform decision-making:

Mt 4:4; Dt 8:3; Mt 4:7; Dt 6:16; Mt 4:10; Dt 6:13

Matthew 4:4 ESV

4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV

3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Matthew 4:7 ESV

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Deuteronomy 6:16 ESV

16 “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

Matthew 4:10 ESV

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”

Deuteronomy 6:13 ESV

13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.

Through divine intervention

Acts 18:9 ESV

9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,

See also Ge 28:10–15; 1 Sa 16:6–7; 1 Sa 16:12; Is 30:19–21; Je 32:6–9; Ac 9:10–16; Ac 10:9–16; Ac 11:27–30; Ac 21:10–11; Ac 26:19; 1 Co 14:29–30

Through prayer

James 1:5–6 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

See also 1 Ki 3:9–12; Pr 2:3–6; Mt 7:7–11; Mt 21:22; Eph 6:18

Through circumstances

Acts 6:1–4 ESV

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

See also Nu 13:1–3; Dt 32:28–29; Jos 2:23–24; Ru 2:2–3; 1 Ki 3:26–28; Ac 15:19–22; Ac 16:3; Ac 20:3; Ac 20:16; 1 Co 16:8–9

The work of the Holy Spirit in decision-making

John 14:16–17 ESV

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

See also Jn 14:26; Jn 16:13–15; Ac 8:29; Ac 10:19; Ac 13:2; Ac 15:28; Ac 16:6–10; 1 Jn 2:20; 1 Jn 2:27

Motivation in decision-making

Mt 6:33; Col 3:17

Colossians 3:17 ESV

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

See also Ps 139:23–24; Mt 20:25–28; Mt 23:23; Ro 12:1; 1 Co 10:31; 2 Co 5:9; Php 4:8–9; 1 Th 4:1; 1 Th 5:8; 1 Pe 2:12; 1 Pe 4:11

Humility is essential for divine guidance

Psalm 25:9 ESV

9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

See also Dt 10:12–13; Ps 25:14; Ps 34:9–10; Ps 73:1; Ps 84:11; Is 58:9–11; Da 9:20–23

The need to test guidance

1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 ESV

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.