8409 decision-making, and providence

People need guidance from God about how they should make up their minds on difficult issues. God gives them this through the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, individuals, groups and other external means.

Decisions should be grounded in a relationship with God

Pr 3:5-6 See also Ps 23:1-3; Ps 25:4-5,8-9,12; Pr 9:10 Wisdom involves making right moral decisions; Mt 6:31-33 pp Lk 12:29-31

God guides decision-making

Through Scripture 2Ti 3:16-17 See also Ps 19:7-11; Ps 119:9,11,98-100,104-105,130 The temptation of Jesus Christ is a good example of how Scripture can inform decision-making: Mt 4:4 pp Lk 4:4; Dt 8:3; Mt 4:7 pp Lk 4:12; Dt 6:16; Mt 4:10 pp Lk 4:8; Dt 6:13

Through supernatural intervention Ac 18:9 See also Ge 28:10-15; 1Sa 16:6-7,12; Isa 30:19-21; Jer 32:6-9; Ac 9:10-16; Ac 10:9-16; Ac 11:27-30; Ac 21:10-11; Ac 26:19; 1Co 14:29-30

Through prayer Jas 1:5-6 See also 1Ki 3:9-12; Pr 2:3-6; Mt 7:7-11 pp Lk 11:9-13; Mt 21:22; Eph 6:18

Through circumstances Ac 6:1-4 See also Nu 13:1-3; Dt 32:28-29; Jos 2:23-24; Ru 2:2-3; 1Ki 3:26-28; Ac 15:19-22; Ac 16:3; Ac 20:3,16; 1Co 16:8-9

The work of the Holy Spirit in decision-making

Jn 14:16-17 See also Jn 14:26; Jn 16:13-15; Ac 8:29; Ac 10:19; Ac 13:2; Ac 15:28; Ac 16:6-10; 1Jn 2:20,27

Motivation in decision-making

Mt 6:33; Col 3:17 See also Ps 139:23-24; Mt 20:25-28; Mt 23:23; Ro 12:1; 1Co 10:31; 2Co 5:9; Php 4:8-9; 1Th 4:1; 1Th 5:8; 1Pe 2:12; 1Pe 4:11

Humility is essential for divine guidance

Ps 25:9 See also Dt 10:12-13; Ps 25:14; Ps 34:9-10; Ps 73:1; Ps 84:11; Isa 58:9-11; Da 9:20-23

The need to test guidance

1Th 5:19-22

See also