Examples of decision-making

Examples of good decision-making

Joshua 24:15 NRSV

Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

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Examples of bad decision-making

Genesis 3:6 NRSV

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; Achan disobeyed the Lord’s instructions; ; ; ; Saul made the offering in Samuel’s absence; ; Rehoboam followed bad advice; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Judas decided to betray Jesus Christ for money; the decision to put Jesus Christ to death

The sovereignty of God in decision-making

Genesis 50:19–20 NRSV

But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.

See also ; Balaam could only curse or bless at the Lord’s bidding; ; ; ; ; ; ;

It was God’s will that Jesus Christ should suffer:

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Romans 8:28–30 NRSV

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Decisions have to be made

Deuteronomy 30:19–20 NRSV

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

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Good decision-making involves consideration for others

Micah 6:8 NRSV

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

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All decision-making must be subject to the will of God

James 4:13–15 NRSV

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.” Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.”

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