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

Jos 24:15 See also Ge 13:8-9; Ge 35:2-4; Ex 18:24-25; Ex 32:26; Ru 1:15-16; 1Sa 14:6-7; 1Sa 24:4-7; Ne 4:21-23; Est 4:15-16; Ps 27:4; Da 1:8; Da 3:18; Mt 4:19-20; Mk 2:14
Lk 10:38-42; Lk 19:8; Ac 4:36-37; Ac 5:35-39; Heb 11:25-26

Examples of bad decision-making

Ge 3:6 See also Ge 12:10-13; Ge 13:10-11; Ge 16:1-3; Ex 32:1-4; Nu 13:31; Nu 16:1-3; Jos 7:21 Achan disobeyed the Lord’s instructions; Jdg 8:23-27; Jdg 14:3; Jdg 16:1; 1Sa 13:8-9 Saul made the offering in Samuel’s absence; 2Sa 11:2-4; 1Ki 12:8-15 Rehoboam followed bad advice; 2Ki 24:1; Hos 2:5; Jnh 1:1-3; Mk 10:22; Lk 15:13; Ac 5:1-2; Ac 24:27; Mt 26:14-16 pp Mk 14:10-11 pp Lk 22:4-6 Judas decided to betray Jesus Christ for money; Mk 15:1 pp Mt 27:1-2 the decision to put Jesus Christ to death

The sovereignty of God in decision-making

Ge 50:19-20 See also Ge 45:8; Nu 24:13 Balaam could only curse or bless at the Lord’s bidding; Jdg 6:39-40; Jdg 14:4; 1Sa 2:25; 2Ch 25:20; Ps 103:13-14; Joel 2:25-26; Mic 7:8-9 It was God’s will that Jesus Christ should suffer: Ac 2:23-24; Ac 4:27-28
Ro 8:28-30

Decisions have to be made

Dt 30:19-20 See also 1Ki 18:21; Eze 18:30; Mt 27:17,21; Mk 10:21; Ac 2:38-40; Ac 16:30-31; 2Co 1:15-17; Gal 3:2

Good decision-making involves consideration for others

Mic 6:8 See also Job 31:16-23; Isa 1:17; Jer 22:3; Am 5:14-15; Mt 5:13-16; Mt 25:35-36; Jas 1:27

All decision-making must be subject to the will of God

Jas 4:13-15 See also Ps 127:1; Mt 26:39,42; Lk 12:16-21

See also