Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8400 The tasks of the believer » 8408 decision-making » 8410 decision-making, examples of
Scripture provides examples of good and bad decision-making, as well as offering guidance as to how decisions ought to be made.
Examples of good decision-making
Joshua 24:15 See also Genesis 13:8-9; Genesis 35:2-4; Exodus 18:24-25; Exodus 32:26; Ruth 1:15-16; 1 Samuel 14:6-7; Samuel 24:4-7; Nehemiah 4:21-23; Esther 4:15-16; Psalm 27:4; Daniel 1:8; Daniel 3:18; Matthew 4:19-20; Mark 2:14 Luke 10:38-42; Luke 19:8; Acts 4:36-37; Acts 5:35-39; Hebrews 11:25-26
Examples of bad decision-making
Genesis 3:6 See also Genesis 12:10-13; Genesis 13:10-11; Genesis 16:1-3; Exodus 32:1-4; Numbers 13:31; Numbers 16:1-3; Joshua 7:21 Achan disobeyed the LORD's instructions; Judges 8:23-27; Judges 14:3; Judges 16:1; 1 Samuel 13:8-9 Saul made the offering in Samuel's absence; 2 Samuel 11:2-4; 1 Kings 12:8-15 Rehoboam followed bad advice; 2 Kings 24:1; Hosea 2:5; Jonah 1:1-3; Mark 10:22; Luke 15:13; Acts 5:1-2; Acts 24:27; Matthew 26:14-16 pp Mark 14:10-11 pp Luke 22:4-6 Judas decided to betray Jesus Christ for money; Mark 15:1 pp Matthew 27:1-2 the decision to put Jesus Christ to death
The sovereignty of God in decision-making
Genesis 50:19-20 See also Genesis 45:8; Numbers 24:13 Balaam could only curse or bless at the LORD's bidding; Judges 6:39-40; Judges 14:4; 1 Samuel 2:25; 2 Chronicles 25:20; Psalm 103:13-14; Joel 2:25-26; Micah 7:8-9
It was God's will that Jesus Christ should suffer:
Acts 2:23-24; Acts 4:27-28 Romans 8:28-30
Decisions have to be made
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 See also 1 Kings 18:21; Ezekiel 18:30; Matthew 27:17,21; Mark 10:21; Acts 2:38-40; Acts 16:30-31; 2 Corinthians 1:15-17; Galatians 3:2
Good decision-making involves consideration for others
Micah 6:8 See also Job 31:16-23; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3; Amos 5:14-15; Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 25:35-36; James 1:27
All decision-making must be subject to the will of God
James 4:13-15 See also Psalm 127:1; Matthew 26:39,42; Luke 12:16-21
See also
1130 God, sovereignty 1175 God, will of 5925 rashness 8116 discipleship, cost 8361 wisdom 8648 enquiring of God 8755 folly
