The precious soul that had reasoned with me, been used of the Lord, was patient with my circular reasonings, never gave up, and finally led me in prayer to a Holy God - preached a sermon in 1995. I took many notes and this article is the result. It is filled with practicality and sound methods of decision making. I've referred to this information on many an occasion and it never has let me down. You look at the article, and you too will be taking notes and/or copying it for yourself. Check it out...

Wise decisions are possible from the simplest of people when they use the Bible as their sole rule of truth and practice. The Book promises "to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion- a wise man will hear and increase learning and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel." (Proverbs 1:4-5)

There are fourteen principle questions that, if you take the time to ask yourself, will keep you on a wise course and stop the "flying by the seat of your pants" method that so many people practice. It can be likened to drawing a big circle in your front yard and treating all the potential problems or will-be problems like the old fashioned Jarts I played with as a kid. For anyone that is unfamiliar with this game, it was sort of like horseshoes, but way cooler. This weighty dart about 1 to 2 foot long was thrown across the yard into a plastic circle target. The dart would smoothly fly through the air and one could get quite adept at hitting that small little piece of grass way over there. The trouble was immature and downright stupid folks would allow kids and pets and whatever to play around and with these fun but potentially deadly objects and it ruined it for everybody. The darts became life threatening. Many people go into life as if they are standing in the middle of a Jart circle and throw all their problems straight up into the air and wait to see where they land. As long as they get those things away from their immediate area they feel fine. But, just like Jarts, some will come straight back down and impale them. There is a better way. Ask yourself a series of questions first. Using the principles that motivate this series of fourteen questions, you can make wise decisions and have much better outcomes than just flinging "Jart-like" problems away from you.

Ok, are you ready? Here they are:

Question 1: Can I ask God to bless this decision once made?

God can not bless the results of all decisions. Knowing what you know about the nature of this action, would you be able to say that God will be able to bless it and build on it?

"Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death." (Proverbs 10:2)

Question 2: After the decision is made, will I be able to thank God for it?

Though hindsight is 20/20, there can be some moments of clarity before a decision is made. Knowing what you know now, will you thank God that you made the decision as you have?

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17)

Question 3: Will I be able to say that the decision was made for God's glory?

The "who's glory" question is very interesting because it gives insight into why we do the things we do and make the decisions we make. So, who's glory is it, yours? God's? It may make a huge difference in how you will decide.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Question 4: Does the decision spring from the influence of God in my life or of the World around me?

One of the "big three" the World, the Flesh, the Devil - The World has such an influence over us. We sometimes make decisions based on what people might think or how we will look to others instead of God for wisdom. So which is it? God? or the World?

"Do not love the World, or the things in the world. If anyone love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15)

Question 5: Will this decision become a stumbling block to the unbeliever or to my weaker fellow Christians?

This is entirely different from the previous question. Question 4 is inward and this one is how I effect others. So consider, if you make this decision, will it become something to cause others to turn away from the faith or cause new Christians to get out of God's perfect will?

"But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak." (1 Corinthians 8:9)

Question 6: Because all decisions result in consequences, have I considered the consequences that will (or could) come from this decision?

For every action there is a reaction, scientifically speaking. How 'bout it? have you considered any forseeable consequences? or are you plowing ahead without regard to what it will cause?

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

Question 7: Will this decision create a heavy weight of responsibility for me to bear?

Many times when we make a decision, we do it for all the right reasons and find that later it was "too big of a bite to chew." Then the dilemma is sometimes made worse for the trying. So have you considered what the ensuing responsibility would be, should it fall on you as a result of this decision?

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

Question 8: Will this decision please God or will it please other people who don't care what God thinks?

I have made this mistake, because of people that are close to you (or that you desire to be close to you) and I have done things that I knew were unwise just to impress them, knowing that they did not care for God nor even wanted the best for me. We all have done that. If I do this they will see me in this light and feel differently. Are you doing this because you are a people pleaser? or are you doing this because you know that it is the right thing?

"Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men." (Ephesians 6:6-7)

Question 9: Sometimes decisions are made unnecessarily, is this decision necessary?

Perhaps some time would make the decision unnecessary and thus not worth the trouble? huh?

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me but all things don't edify." (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Question 10: Will it edify the brethren?

Choosing to always be edifying to others is a good decision. Knowing that no matter how unlikely a person would be deemed worthy by the world, God can make something of them.

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me but all things don't edify." (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Question 11: Every decision made serves a master. Will this decision serve God? or will serve His enemies?

One inescapable truth is that one serves a master even if one doesn't acknowledge it to be true. So who does this decision serve?

"No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon [an example of a false God, in this case money] (Matthew 6:24)

Question 12: Would God's Word condemn my decision?

Searching the Scripture will reveal any answer to any question you have. Decisions filtered through the Word of God will be wise decisions. What does the Bible say about your decision?

"For the word of God is quick, [alive] and powerful, and sharper thatn any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Question 13: Is my decision based on love?

God is love and He wishes His children to be moved and motivated by love.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1 John 4:10-11)

Question 14: Since Jesus is coming soon, will I be ashamed at His coming because fo this decision?

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing shall I be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be my life or my death." (Philippians 1:20)

Let these 14 principles guide you decision as they have mine over the years. You may want to frame them and hang them on your wall.