Christians and Making Decisions

Posted by Christine Pack

I have a hunch that the sticking point for many Christians in their day-to-day lives is that they think if they somehow get a feeling or mysterious "inner nudge" that God "confirms" a decision they are trying to make, then that decision will result in a situation that is pain-free, hassle-free, problem-free and conflict-free. But do we recognize that there are no such guarantees from God in the Bible? Life is fraught with difficulties and struggles which come along even after we've made calm, measured, thoughtful decisions which accord with God's will (meaning, they aren't sinful in nature).

Attached are a series of resources that will, I hope, help Christians confused about how it is, biblically, that we are to make decisions. I pray that anyone reading this short article will be blessed by the attached resources, and will be freed from the bondage of thinking that they are somehow "out of God's will" if they have struggles and difficulty and pain and heartbreak in their lives. As long as we as Christians are not sinning in our decisions, we have freedom. Period! And oftentimes, our sovereign, loving God will use the difficulties we encounter in life as a sanctifying agent in our lives. Amen? So pray for wisdom (because God will grant it to those who pray for it--James 1:5), be thoughtful, be calm, don't sin, and go forward in peace with your decisions.

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will

Just Do Something (audio message, Kevin DeYoung)

How Do We Discern God's Will For Our Lives?

Finding God's Will

 Critical Issues Commentary - Articles 

God's Will and Christian Liberty

God's Revealed Will

 Critical Issues Commentary - Radio 

Personal Words From God (CIC-Radio, Bob DeWaay)

God's Will and Christian Liberty (CIC-Radio, Bob DeWaay)

photo credit: Lori Greig via photopin cc

Finding God's Will

posted by Christine Pack

Are those geese flying over you in a V formation signaling a "victory" for you? Is that a clue from God that you should be taking notice of? Or was there another clue somewhere along the way that you missed.....

If you have ever had thoughts like these, please read the article below, including the links. The current mindset among many Christians is that there is some "perfect will" for our lives out there, like a buried treasure, that comes complete with cryptic clues "buried" in the world around us. And you have to read and sift through the clues (signs) out there and find that "perfect will" for your life that God has for you. And you better not miss any clues or you could end up with the B Plan! Sound like anything you've been taught or heard? Contrast that with what Scripture really teaches, which is that we, as Christians, should be placing ourselves under the means of grace (Bible study, prayer, Lord's Supper, fellowship with other believers), and over time, our minds will become more and more sanctified, and our decisions/choices will become wiser. That's how we make decisions, not by being paralyzed between trying to figure out if something is His will or not, and wondering if we are going to mess everything up by a "wrong" choice. Choices are only wrong if there is sin involved....otherwise, we have freedom, freedom in Christ.

Listen to Pastor Kevin DeYoung's lecture below that goes into more detail on this topic.
(HT: Hears His Voice)



photo credit: Mark Seton via photopin


  Additional Resources 

Means of Grace: God's Provision For Our Salvation and Sanctification (CIC Article)

Means of Grace (CIC Radio Series)

Understanding the Means of Grace

Discussion of Means of Grace

Reexamining the Means of Grace

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will

Charismatic Chaos

Is That You, Lord? (Pastor Gary Gilley)

God's Will For Your Life - Radio Series (Pastor Bob DeWaay)

God's Will and Christian Liberty: Explaining God's Revealed Will and God's Providential Will

How To Hear God's Voice

An Open Letter of Repentance To All Whom I Have Taught or Endorsed The Teachings of Henry Blackaby or Beth Moore

How Do We Discern God's Will For Our Lives?

Christian Dream Interpretation?