How can we "judge for yourselves what is right" in daily decisions? Invited to Discern: Hearing Luke 12:57 Today “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” (Luke 12:57). Jesus is not encouraging private opinion without boundaries; He is urging every believer to make daily, concrete judgments that line up with God’s revealed truth. The Unshakeable Reference Point • Scripture is God-breathed, error-free, and sufficient. • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). • If a decision contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible, it is automatically wrong—no further debate needed. Five Anchors for Sound Judgment 1. The Word • 2 Timothy 3:16-17—equips “for every good work.” 2. The Spirit • John 16:13—“He will guide you into all truth.” 3. A Renewed Mind • Romans 12:2—be transformed so you “may prove what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” 4. Godly Counsel • Proverbs 15:22—“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” 5. Visible Fruit • Matthew 7:17—good trees bear good fruit; right decisions produce righteous results (Galatians 5:22-23). A Simple Discernment Path 1. Pause and Pray • Ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and a clear conscience. 2. Search the Scriptures • Look for direct commands, clear principles, or parallel situations. 3. Examine Motives • Philippians 2:3—“in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” 4. Seek Counsel • Mature believers often spot blind spots we miss. 5. Evaluate Consequences • 1 Thessalonians 5:21—“Test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” 6. Decide in Faith • Romans 14:23—whatever is not from faith is sin. 7. Act and Review • Hebrews 5:14—practice trains the senses “to distinguish between good and evil.” Common Pitfalls to Avoid • Feelings over Facts—emotions can assist but never outrank Scripture. • Cultural Pressure—popular consensus is not the standard of truth. • Procrastination—indecision can be disobedience when God has already spoken. • Selective Listening—ignoring passages that confront personal preferences. Living It Out • Begin each day in the Word; let the first voice you hear be God’s. • Keep short accounts with the Lord—quick confession keeps the channel clear (1 John 1:9). • Cultivate friendships that sharpen discernment (Proverbs 27:17). • Journal outcomes; noting God’s faithfulness strengthens future judgment calls. • Thank Him for every instance His light kept you from a wrong turn. Scripture equips, the Spirit empowers, and obedience secures a life that consistently “judges what is right.” |
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