The quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life.
Deuteronomy 3:19-20 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Romans 7:15-16 MSG What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
Four big reasons we struggle to make good decisions:
- We’re overwhelmed with choices.
- We’re afraid of making a wrong choice
- We let emotions overrule logic.
- Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.
- We have a sinful nature
Romans 7:21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.
When your values are clear, your decisions are easier.
If your life is moving in the direction of your decisions, do you like the direction your decisions are taking you?
Decisions won’t be based on emotions in the moment
Romans 7:24-25 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Romans 8:1-2 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.