Biblical Decision Making

This past Sunday evening I taught on discerning God's will, specifically discerning God's will for those areas where there is no biblical guidance. In other words, how do we know what God wants when we are dealing with a non-moral issue?  Perhaps the most important point was that God does not guide us mystically or supernaturally. God generally guides us through people, prayer, circumstances, common sense, wisdom, and our own desires. God does occasionally guide us through a "gut feeling" or a "hunch."   But these feelings are not infallible and they are not normative. Below is my pattern for biblical decision making. I am talking here mainly about major decisions, though there is some application to more minor ones. 

1.      Drink deep and long at the well of God’s Word. Here we learn godliness, wisdom, and the path of righteousness.

a.     "As we become more intimately familiar with God’s Word in Scripture, we become more intimately familiar with God, his ways, his habits, his characteristic reactions. We can pray according to his will, finishing his sentences. This doesn’t come from looking over God’s shoulder, but from diligent study of the Scripture, faithful participation in worship and sacraments, the usual means by which God reveals himself and his will to us."  (Peter Leithart,  From Beyond the Veil, 177)

b.      But do not rely on random Bible verses. Verses must be interpreted in context.  God of course, can use random Bible verses, but that does not mean we should make it our habit to interpret God's Word this way.  

c.       Make sure it is not sin.  This means specific breaking of God’s law.  You can be sure sin is not God’s will.

                                                              i.      What if something might be a sin, but you are not sure? Here you should follow Romans 14:23. If your conscience is pricked, that is if you feel guilty, do not do it. 

d.      Make sure you are loving God and loving your neighbor. Examine your motives. Why are you doing what you are doing? It is possible to make the right decision for the wrong reason. 

2.      Pray over the decision, but do not sit around until an answer comes in the mail. Pray over it and trust that God is going to answer your prayer. Don't pray over it until you get a lighting strike from Heaven telling you what to do.