When was the last time you struggled with a major life decision?

The Bible is clear in Proverbs 3:5 that we should be hesitant about our own judgment, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” However, as Blaine Smith points out in this article on decision-making, we’re not to use that verse as a crutch. We should maintain a healthy perspective on our own understanding, and use what God has given us to make our decisions in a wise and purposeful way:

Indeed, on one level Scripture does advise us to be skeptical about our own judgment. Proverbs 3:5-7 declares, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”

Yet the Proverbs also prod us to develop the ability to make wise decisions. Admonitions to seek wisdom permeate the Proverbs. While these are given to challenge us to grow in wisdom, they do show that gaining sound insight is a realizable goal. Consider Proverbs 3:13-14: “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” That statement and many like it throughout the Proverbs suggest that it’s possible to exercise good judgment, at least if certain conditions are met.

Even more significant is Paul’s assurance that we who follow Christ have “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). This is a remarkable promise about the possibility of showing good judgment. Having the mind of Christ does not mean that our insights are infallible. Yet it does mean that we’re beginning from an exceptional position of strength in our effort to make good decisions. As we make the right effort to clear our field of vision, we may be confident that we’re seeing clearly to take steps of faith.

The rest of the essay outlines the three things we should all do before making a decision: question our first impressions, get the facts, and pray for guidance. If you’re facing a major decision right now, have you applied these principles to your decision-making process?

By: Chris. This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 9:48 am and is filed under Devotional, Wisdom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.