Untitled Sermon (81)

5 Steps to Good Decision Making

Kescia D. Gray - Corporate Wellness Magazine

Each day we are faced with situations in life that require us to make choices.

Some of these choices are easy, and at times, some of them can be difficult.

Easy decisions consist of things like what clothing you should wear; most people choose what to wear based on the season of the year, the weather of the day, and where they might be going.

Other easy decisions consist of things like what to eat, what movie to see, and what television programs to watch.  

Decisions that seem to be the most difficult are those that require a deeper level of thought.

Examples of difficult decisions consist of things like where to attend college, what career path would be best, and/or whether or not to marry and start a family.

These types of decisions are difficult because they are life changing decisions; they shape who we are, and they shape our future.

Making good decisions is a method that must be learned.

It is not something with which we are innately born, but merely a step by step process that is usually ascertained from life experience.

Most adults know that experience can be a costly, ineffective teacher that teaches more bad habits than good; and because decisions can vary so obviously from one situation to the next, the experience gained from making one important decision is often times of little or no use when another decision-making problem arises.

When decision making, there are many steps that can be taken; but when making good decisions there are really only five steps that need to be considered. These steps are as follows:

Step 1: Identify Your Goal

Step 2: Gather Information for Weighing Your Options

Step 3: Consider the Consequences

Step 4: Make Your Decision

Step 5: Evaluate Your Decision

This sounds great but its center around ‘’You”

This puts me in the seat…

Solid decision-making begins by discerning the will of God. ‘

God reveals His will to us primarily in two ways.

First, through His Spirit:

This is why I am drunk / Under the influence of the Spirit

John 16:13 ESV

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Second, God reveals His will through His Word:

It’s through His word that I demonstrate His Love

It’s by His word that I determine the boundaries / options / goals for my decision making.

Because I’m tired of making a mess… (Illustration)

A mess in my career

A mess in my relationships

Decisions that cause me to settle

Decisions driven by my passion

My passion does not mean I’m fulfilling God’s purpose

My decisions can have me out of God’s will

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Jesus said.....

Luke 22:42 ESV

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Repenting / Praying / Yielding / Seeking

Repenting

Psalm 51:2–4 ESV

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Praying

Matthew 6:10 ESV

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Yielding

Yield to the work of the Holy Spirit / Be Drunk

Seeking

In your decision making as God what is your word telling me to do....

Proverbs 2:6 ESV

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Psalm 32:8 ESV

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 25:12 ESV

Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

If I’m drunk / Under the influence of the Spirit

If its His seat

Then my decisions would reflect Him in every area of my life…

It will bring Him Glory...

My decisions becomes the image of Christ for people to see...