Decision Making 101

Take time to read 1 Corinthians chapter 10.  It is full of some great truths.  Truths about withstanding temptation, truths about why we continually preach the Gospel to even those who should have already been able to see God clearly, truths about how we need to be fully committed to God and truths about the believer's freedom.

I want to focus, as I did in a previous post, on the believer's freedom.  I believe that 1 Corinthians chapter 10 has some great instructions on how to make decisions.

There are three questions we can expound from verses 23 through 33 that we should ask when making decisions.

1) Does it glorify God?

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

We should ask ourselves, "Does this glorify God?"  If it does, then it may be worth doing.  If it doesn't, then we shouldn't do it.

This is an amazing verse and an amazing questions because it presupposes that everything we do, from eating to preaching, from A to Z, can all be done for the glory of God.  There is no action too small to honor God nor is there any task too lofty in which to honor the Almighty.

If we ask, "Does this glorify God?" our lives will be changed for the better.  So often I ask, "Can I get away with this?"  If I instead asked, "Does this glorify God?' my actions would no doubt be more in line with God and His ways.

2) Is this the most beneficial for the most people?

"Everything is permissible'... but not everything is beneficial.  'Everything is permissible'... but not everything is constructive.  Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."  1 Corinthians 10:23-24

We should ask, "Is this constructive?"  "Is this beneficial?"  "Is this for my good or the good of others?"  How much better would our world be if people asked this question?  This, like the question before it, can change the world.

We all want to hear, "Everything is permissible".  The Corinthians made this saying famous.  It was the Y.O.L.O. of the ancient world and it is somewhat true with Christian freedom.  But just because you can do something does not mean that you should.  Jesus could have had ten thousand angels wipe out those plotting to kill Him, but He, for the glory of God and to achieve the most good for the most people, endured the cross.  We are to imitate Him.

3) Will this show others Christ?

"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God... even as I try to please everyone in every way.  For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."  1 Corinthians 10:32-33

Ask, "Will this show others the love of Christ?  Will it show others the Gospel?  Or will this obscure the glory of the cross?"  If we ask this question our lives will be changed and the lives of those around us may be changed.

We are called to live missionally.  Do we live in a way to makes Jesus look attractive to an unbelieving world?  Through actions and words we are to live missionally.

Don't think of yourself only.  Don't be fooled by your prideful ego.  Make good decisions by asking the questions above.  1) Does it glorify God?  2) Is this the most beneficial for the most people?  3) Will this show others Christ?

Make decisions based in this Biblical principle today.