Definition and Importance: Deciding refers to the process of making choices or reaching conclusions, especially when faced with multiple options or courses of action. In the biblical context, decision-making is a significant aspect of human responsibility and spiritual discernment. It involves seeking God's will, applying wisdom, and exercising faith.

Biblical Principles of Decision-Making:

1. Seeking God's Guidance: The Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking divine direction in decision-making. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the necessity of relying on God's wisdom rather than solely on human judgment.

2. Prayer and Discernment: Prayer is a crucial component in the decision-making process. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Through prayer, individuals can seek clarity and peace in their decisions.

3. Wisdom and Counsel: The Bible underscores the value of wisdom and seeking counsel from others. Proverbs 15:22 states, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Consulting wise and godly individuals can provide insight and perspective that aid in making sound decisions.

4. Faith and Obedience: Decisions should be made in faith, trusting in God's promises and commands. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Obedience to God's Word is paramount in aligning decisions with His will.

5. Moral and Ethical Considerations: Decisions should reflect biblical morals and ethics. Micah 6:8 provides a succinct guideline: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse emphasizes justice, mercy, and humility as key components in decision-making.

Examples of Decision-Making in the Bible:

· Joshua's Leadership: Joshua exemplified decisive leadership when he declared, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). His decision to follow God set a standard for the Israelites.

· Solomon's Wisdom: King Solomon's request for wisdom to govern Israel (1 Kings 3:9) demonstrates the importance of seeking divine wisdom in decision-making. God granted him unparalleled wisdom, which became evident in his judgments.

· Paul's Missionary Journeys: The Apostle Paul made strategic decisions regarding his missionary journeys, often guided by the Holy Spirit. Acts 16:6-10 describes how Paul and his companions were directed by the Spirit to preach in Macedonia, illustrating the role of divine guidance in decision-making.

Challenges in Decision-Making:

· Human Limitations: Human understanding is limited, and decisions can be clouded by emotions, biases, and incomplete information. James 1:5 offers encouragement: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

· Temptation and Sin: Decisions can be influenced by temptation and sin. Romans 7:15-20 describes the struggle between the desire to do good and the reality of sin, highlighting the need for reliance on God's strength and grace.

· Fear and Doubt: Fear and doubt can hinder decision-making. Isaiah 41:10 provides reassurance: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Conclusion: The process of deciding is integral to the Christian life, requiring a balance of faith, wisdom, and obedience to God's Word. By seeking God's guidance, praying for discernment, and consulting wise counsel, believers can make decisions that honor God and align with His purposes.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Decide.1253. diakrisis -- the act of judgment
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diakrisis Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ak'-ree-sis) Short Definition: distinguishing, deciding, passing sentence on ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1253.htm - 7k7101. qatsin -- a chief, ruler
... captain, guide, prince, ruler. From qatsah in the sense of determining; a magistrate
(as deciding) or other leader -- captain, guide, prince, ruler. ...
/hebrew/7101.htm - 6k

A Prehistoric Conflict.
... Prayer the Deciding Factor in a Spirit Conflict A Prehistoric Conflict. ... Rightly
understood it is the deciding factor in a spirit conflict. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a prehistoric conflict.htm

These Things which You have Said are Read by all who Know Latin ...
... introduce when you speak of such matters cautiously, and like one treading warily,
so as to make men think that you had some hesitation in deciding matters so ...
/.../43 these things which you.htm

An Old-Fashioned Home
... I. I have a friend, George R. Stuart, who says that when God himself would
start a nation he made home life the deciding question. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/an old-fashioned home.htm

The Accession of Darius.
... a monarchy."Four of the seven confederates concur with Darius."Otanes withdraws."
Agreement made by the rest."Singular mode of deciding which should be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
... Nic.5). We see a Synod at Arles deciding a case affecting Africa, and reviewing
the decision of a previous Synod at Rome; a Council at Tyre trying the case of ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 4 vehicles of revelation.htm

At the Foot of the Bamboos
... called upon to state our views in reference to the propriety of the various missionary
societies and Bible societies and other institutions deciding for us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/v at the foot of.htm

The True Nonconformist.
... A man has no business to waste time pondering over the details of his sacrifice
for Christ's sake, tormenting himself with deciding between what is right and ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/the true nonconformist.htm

Quiet Talks on Prayer
... Intercession is Service. The Spirit Switchboard. The Broad Inner Horizon. Prayer
the Deciding Factor in a Spirit Conflict. A Prehistoric Conflict. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/

Preface
... In choosing sermons by living preachers considerable difficulty has been found,
not only in deciding upon sermons, but upon preachers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the worlds great sermons volume i/preface.htm

Early History of Revision.
... Canonical Scriptures, and five years in the case of the Apocrypha"periods of time
that can hardly be considered insufficient for deciding generally, whether ...
/.../address i early history of.htm

Deciding (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Deciding (2 Occurrences). ... Receive as a friend a man whose
faith is weak, but not for the purpose of deciding mere matters of opinion. ...
/d/deciding.htm - 7k

Vote (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That by means of which will or preference is expressed in elections, or
in deciding propositions; voice; a ballot; a ticket; as, a written vote. ...
/v/vote.htm - 8k

Decree (82 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An order from one having authority, deciding what is to be done by a
subordinate; also, a determination by one having power, deciding what is to be ...
/d/decree.htm - 34k

Decision (174 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a controversy, by
giving judgment on the matter at issue; determination, as of a question or ...
/d/decision.htm - 41k

Keys (2 Occurrences)
... DATA FOR DECIDING THE QUESTIONS INVOLVED 1. Passages Employing the Terms "Key,"
"Binding and Loosing" 2. Related Passages 3. Examples of Exercise of This Power ...
/k/keys.htm - 32k

Power (862 Occurrences)
... DATA FOR DECIDING THE QUESTIONS INVOLVED 1. Passages Employing the Terms "Key,"
"Binding and Loosing" 2. Related Passages 3. Examples of Exercise of This Power ...
/p/power.htm - 66k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... judicial proceedings; a judicial sale. 2. (a.) Fitted or apt for judging
or deciding; as, a judicial mind. 3. (a.) Belonging to the ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

Judgment (430 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The power or faculty of performing such operations (see 1); esp., when
unqualified, the faculty of judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely; good ...
/j/judgment.htm - 52k

Linger (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) To delay; to loiter; to remain or wait long; to be slow or reluctant in
parting or moving; to be slow in deciding; to be in suspense; to hesitate. ...
/l/linger.htm - 8k

Lice (4 Occurrences)
... three-day fever" or "papataci." As stated under GNAT (which see), there is little
ground other than the authority of the Septuagint for deciding between "lice ...
/l/lice.htm - 10k

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