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Questions to Ask Before You Decide. Decisions, Decisions. Every day we make decisions that directly affect our faith and our relation with God, Josh . 24:15
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Decisions, Decisions • Every day we make decisions that directly affect our faith and our relation with God, Josh. 24:15 • Sometimes Christians have a hard time deciding what to do in specific situations that call for clear, decisive decisions, 1 Kgs. 18:21; Jas. 4:7-10 • Use some questions to exercise our senses to make right decisions, Heb. 5:14
Questions Before You Decide • Can you ask God to bless your decision? • Prov. 10:22: God’s blessing makes us rich beyond earthly treasures and removes sorrows, cf. Num. 6:22-27 • Psa. 19:14: Will your words and your heart be acceptable to God?
Questions Before You Decide • Can you thank God for it? • Col. 3:17: Whatever you do • 1 Ths. 5:18: In everything give thanks – the will of God for you
Questions Before You Decide • Are you doing this to the glory of God? • 1 Cor. 10:31: “a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour, and glory” (Thayer) • Phil. 1:9-11: Filled with fruits of righteousness by Christ to God’s glory
Questions Before You Decide • Will your decision be a stumbling block to others or help them follow Jesus? • 1 Cor. 8:13: Including matters of liberty • Matt. 18:6-10: Warned against being a stumbling block • 1 Pet. 2:11-12: Honorable conduct as light and salt (Matt. 5:13-16)
Questions Before You Decide • Are you doing this to please God rather than people? • Col. 3:23: Is it serving Christ with your whole heart? • Eph. 6:7: With goodwill (“well-minded”), peaceable spirit • Gal. 1:10: Please the Lord first (2 Cor. 5:9)
Questions Before You Decide • Have you thought ahead about the consequences of your decision? • Gal. 6:7-9: You will reap what you sow • Jas. 4:4-6: Befriending the world brings strife with God – Pain, sorrow, spiritual and eternal death • Humility before God brings grace
Questions Before You Decide • Would you want to be doing whatever you decide when Christ returns? • Matt. 24:44-51: Unfaithful servant is unprepared for Christ’s return; fit only for punishment when He returns • Would you do it in the presence of your earthly father? Your heavenly Father? Prov. 5:21; 15:3
Decisions, Decisions • The world will always try to make you doubt your decisions of faith (and so become lukewarm in faith, Rev. 3:15-16) • The word of God must guide us in all our decisions • Faith in God must direct us and determine our decisions, Heb. 11:6; 1 Jno. 5:4