What is God’s Will for Me? Part 4: Making a Decision

Text: Proverbs 16:1-9

 

I.         What makes a decision a good one?

            A.        Is every decision a moral choice?

                        1.         Should I have chocolate or strawberry ice cream?

            B.        How do I tell when a choice is personal and when it is moral?

            C.        Jesus said that all of God’s laws fall into two categories - Matthew 22:36-40

                        1.         Therefore, the first question is whether God said something on the matter

                        2.         The second question is whether it impacts other people

                        3.         Finally, we are left with what do I prefer

            D.        There is no right or wrong question. This is just something to think about and answer if you want.

                        1.         Do you think most young people today make good choices?

                        2.         Did you make good choices when you were young?

                        3.         Do you think you make good choices most of the time?

            E.        Is there only one correct answer for every decision we face?

II.        Steps to making a choice

            A.        First, identify what needs to be decided

                        1.         To make a choice, only to find out that it wasn’t even the question doesn’t help

            B.        Second, identify what are your options

                        1.         This is where you need advice from others - Proverbs 15:22

            C.        In choices, you will gain something or lose something. Therefore, the third step is to look at what changes as a result of each option

            D.        Now that I know what I’m working with, I need to see what God said about a matter

                        1.         Our goal is to be pleasing to God - II Corinthians 5:9

                        2.         II Timothy 2:15 - Work at being approved by God

                        3.         Proverbs 19:8 - Get wisdom

                        4.         God’s advice stands - Proverbs 19:21

                        5.         There are choices that don’t matter to God

                                    a.         What color clothing you decide to wear today

                                    b.         Whether you eat meat - Romans 14:2-4

                                    c.         Whether you get married - I Corinthians 7:27-28

            E.        Next, I need to consider how it impacts other people

            F.        Then you make your choice

III.       Too often, we have to make quick choices. We don’t have time to do a full analysis.

            A.        But if you practice this, then it becomes easier each time.

            B.        We still must make choices, and some will be tough - Philippians 1:21-26

                        1.         Notice that Paul picked the lesser path because he saw the need to remain

                        2.         In other words, we don’t always need to pick the optimal path

            C.        We don’t always choose the path of least resistance

                        1.         Sometimes choices are made despite having to give up opportunities - II Corinthians 2:12-13

                        2.         Sometimes plans are made despite hindrances and difficulties - Romans 1:13

            D.        What I choose won’t alter God’s plans - Esther 4:13-14

                        1.         It would be arrogance to think that man could alter God’s plans - Isaiah 46:9-11

                        2.         Unlike man, God has complete control over the future

            E.        Do we need to ask God about every decision we make?

                        1.         If you were a boss, what would you think about an employee that always asked you about every decision?

            F.        Too often people use their feelings as a guide.

                        1.         After all, I know what my feelings are right now.

                        2.         Are your feelings always accurate? - Proverbs 28:26

IV.      Since God and others come first, will I always like the best decision?

            A.        Jesus would have preferred a different choice - Matthew 26:39

V.        Because I made a choice, does it mean it will happen?

            A.        Since God and others have greater authority, sometimes what I would like to choose will be overridden

                        1.         Paul wanting to go into Asia - Acts 16:6-7

                        2.         In the case of God, why would God override what we choose?

                                    a.         God knows things that we don’t

                        3.         In II Samuel 7, David wanted to build a temple for God. The prophet Nathan even thought it was a great idea. But God said “no.”

            B.        Less than we may think, we don’t have much control over our lives - James 4:14-17

                        1.         We plan, but the answer belongs to God - Proverbs 16:1

                        2.         Why? What we think is good is not necessarily so - Proverbs 16:2

            C.        Therefore, plan God in mind first - Proverbs 16:3

                        1.         Should I move to X for school or work?

                                    a.         Is there a good church there?

                                    b.         Will you be able to serve God better there?

                        2.         If I make a large purchase, will that allow me to still support those dependent on me?

                        3.         If I take this new position, will I be able to attend services?