The Biblical way of Making Choices

Hi,
Somebody has asked me how God answers prayers. For example, when we pray because we do not know what decision to make, in what way can God show us what we should do?
Jane

Hi Jane,

First, if the Bible tells us what decision to make, we do what it tells us. For example the Bible tells us that we should marry a Christian. So, if our choice is to marry a Christian or a non-Christian we must not marry the non-Christian.

If the Bible has nothing to say directly about our decision, we are to ask for wisdom to see the principles the Bible teaches us regarding the choice we need to make (Jas. 1:5). This wisdom may come through the counsel of godly friends and church leaders. If there are Biblical principles behind our decision we do whatever the godly principles dictate. If our choice for marriage is to marry a godly Christian or an ungodly Christian the Biblical wisdom and principle says that our lives will run much more smoothly in the future if our spouse is godly. So we go with the principle and marry the godly Christian.

If the Biblical commands and principles don’t impact the choice, we ask for wisdom, check with godly Christians we respect, weigh all the options, and do what we want. If there is no sin, and the choice is wise, then we will make a good choice and can live with whatever outcomes the choice produces for us—to the glory of God.

God does not generally talk to us outside of his word. If we hear his voice outside the Bible, it most often isn’t his voice, but if we believe it is, we need to follow his written word and check it out (Deut. 13; 18:21-22; Is. 8:20). God loves us to make choices based on our love for him and our desire to bring him fame and glory. So, he gives a lots of choices. I think he cares about the ones he tells us about and delights in the ones we choose on our own. If he has not spoken about it, and his word does not principlially direct our paths, he is pleased with whatever choice we make after that.

I hope this helps.