USING THE BIBLE TO MAKE DECISIONS:
"If you want better insight and discernment...learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting Him. He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decisions every time." Prverbs 2:5,9 (LB)
SIX WAYS TO TEST A DECISION
1. THE IDEAL TEST:
IS IT IN HARMONY WITH GOD'S WORD?
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
2. THE INTEGRITY TEST:
WOULD I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THE DECISION I AM MAKING?
"The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)
"Knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin." James 4:17 (LB)
"If someone believes something is wrong, then he shouldn't do it because for him it is wrong." Romans 14:14b (LB)
3. THE IMPROVEMENT TEST:
WILL IT MAKE ME A BETTER PERSON?
"Everything is permissible -- but not everything is beneficial, ... (and) not everything is constructive." 1Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)
4. THE INDEPENDENCE TEST:
COULD IT BECOME ADDICTIVE TO ME?
"All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12b (RSV)
" I can do anything I want to IF Christ has not said no, BUT some of these things aren't good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I'll refuse to if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can't easily stop when I want to." 1 Corinthians 6:12 (LB)
5.THE INFLUENCE TEST:
WILL IT HARM OTHER PEOPLE?
"Each of us will give an account of himself to God... Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something he thinks is wrong." Romans 14:12-13 (LB)
"Even if we believe that it makes no difference to the Lord whether we do these things, still we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves, we must bear the 'burden' of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others..." Romans 15:1-2 (LB)
6. THE INVESTMENT TEST:
IS IT THE BEST USE OF MY LIFE?
"Be very careful how you live. Don't live like those who are not wise. Live wisely. I mean that you should use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So don't be foolish with your lives. Learn what the Lord wants you to do." Ephesians 5:15-17 (TEV)
