How can we avoid the mistake of "do what you think is best"? Reading the Verse “Then Saul said, ‘Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn; let us not leave a man alive!’ The people replied, ‘Do whatever seems good to you.’ But the priest said, ‘Let us consult God here.’” What Went Wrong - Saul moved on impulse: bold words and big plans, no pause for prayer. - The troops fell in line, echoing, “Do whatever seems good to you.” - Only one voice, the priest, urged seeking the Lord; that warning was almost ignored. The Danger of Self-Reliance - Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” - Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” - Judges 21:25 “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” and chaos followed. Decisions made from the neck up, without the knee bent, invite disaster. Biblical Principles for Guarding Against This Error - Trust God, not feelings Proverbs 3:5-6 - Wait for His answer Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31 - Filter plans through Scripture 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - Seek godly counsel Proverbs 11:14; 15:22 - Walk in humility Proverbs 3:7; 1 Peter 5:5-6 - Rely on the Spirit’s leading Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:25 Practical Steps for Daily Life - Begin each decision with prayer, even brief ones while standing in a hallway or scrolling a screen. - Keep Scripture in view: a verse on the dashboard, a notification on the phone, a printed copy on the fridge. - Talk decisions through with mature believers before acting. - Pause long enough to let initial emotions settle. - Record answers God gives; review them before making the next call. - Celebrate and recall past moments when obeying God, not personal preference, brought blessing. A Better Path Illustrated Jonathan in the same chapter (1 Samuel 14:6-10) sought a sign from the Lord before advancing; the victory that followed contrasted sharply with Saul’s rash oath. Obedience birthed by dependence brought deliverance; action birthed by self-reliance brought regret. Summary Avoiding the mistake of “do what you think is best” begins with a settled habit: search the Word, seek the Lord, surround yourself with wise believers, and stay humble enough to let God overrule your best ideas. |
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