A Pattern for Making Decisions

With Bishop Ronald K. Powell

Key Verses:

PROVERBS 14:12  “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.”

Galatians 5:25 ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Psalm 25:12-13

12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 

13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 

The following steps will help you discern God’s directions for you no matter what situation you’re facing. 

• In order to hear the Lord’s voice, you must remove all obstacles by: Confessing and repenting of sin.
• Any sinful attitude or habit must be removed before you can proceed. Sin clouds the mind.
• Ask God if there’s anything in your life that doesn’t fit your identity as a follower of Christ. If He reveals a specific sin, immediately confess and repent of it. 

• Bringing your desires to the point of neutrality.
• There will be times when what you want in a situation is not in line with what the Lord desires.
• The only way you’ll receive His guidance is by submitting to Him.
• When you can honestly say that you desire His will be done more than your own, He’ll give you clear

direction.

• Exercise patience.
• Some decisions are urgent-at least from a human perspective.
• However, demanding an immediate answer from God is a sign of distrust.
• Patience requires a willingness to trust the Lord and submit to His timing.
• Examine the situation from God’s perspective and remember that those who wait for the Lord will not be ashamed.

PS. 25:3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. 

• Be alert to pressure.
• When seeking the Lord’s direction, be careful not to let anyone or anything persuade you to choose a path other than God’s.

Be cautious of: 

• External pressure.
• Sometimes people don’t understand why you’re waiting,and they may offer advice or push you to make a decision.Instead of giving in and jumping ahead of God’s will, fill your mind with His Word. That way, you’ll be able to discern if the advice aligns with His desires. 

• Internal pressure.
• Other times, the pressure to make a decision comes from within.
• Fear of losing an opportunity may cause you to enter into a situation or relationship instead of waiting for God’s guidance.
• He may lead you to a decision nobody else will understand, but if you take the first step of obedience, His blessings will follow. 

• Persist in prayer.
• Just because you don’t receive an immediate answer from the Lord, it doesn’t mean He isn’t listening.
• The point of persistent prayer is not to force God to do what you want but to see the situation from His perspective.
• As you wait, He deepens your relationship with Him and deals with issues in your lives that are preventing you from growing spiritually. 

Philippians 1:6 New King James Version 

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 

• Rest in God’s promise.
• In order to find out what the Lord wants you to do in a situation, you must believe His promises.
• He assures us He’ll answer the prayers of those who ask, seek, and knock (Matt. 7:7), and if you’ll faithfully read the Word each day, the Holy Spirit will lead you to passages with the guidance you need for any situation. 

• Wait for Christ’s peace.
• The last step in the decision-making process is to let the peace of Christ act as the “umpire” for your choice. 
• Col. 3:15   15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body;   and be ye thankful.  

• When the direction is from God, His peace will enter your heart and mind.
• This is the final proof that you are following His path.
• There are no more doubts, just confident assurance. 

Conclusion:

• When you’re faced with decisions and don’t know what to do, remember that God’s Word is His primary method of speaking to His people.

•  You can also receive guidance by humbly seeking the Lord in prayer and asking the Holy Spirit to help you apply Scriptural principles to your particular circumstance.

• When you patiently wait to hear His voice and heed His instructions, you can make a confident decision knowing that God has given you clear direction. 

• Let’s Pray