Making the Hard Decisions Easier

If you want wisdom……If you want wisdom……

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 NASB)

Why are decisions so Why are decisions so hard?hard?

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 NASB)

What is the most What is the most important decision?important decision?

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NASB)

This is what Joshua said This is what Joshua said ….….

"Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. "And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15 NASB)

This is what Elijah asked This is what Elijah asked ……

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word. (1 Kings 18:21 NASB)

This is what Jesus said This is what Jesus said …. ….

"Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33 NASB)

Making the Hard Decisions Easier

Make your decision now to serve God – it makes all other decisions easier

The Bible gives The Bible gives some lists of sins:some lists of sins:

So we know these So we know these things are wrongthings are wrong

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB)

However, even in this lists of sins, you have to define words and apply them

properly

Some things are easily Some things are easily determined to be right or wrongdetermined to be right or wrong

LyingLying CheatingCheating StealingStealing MurderMurder AdulteryAdultery

Reading BibleReading Bible PrayerPrayer Sharing ChristSharing Christ Giving to the Giving to the

needyneedy SingingSinging

Are they really that easy?

What if you want to read your Bible but someone needs to be taught the

gospel?

Many things are not Many things are not inherentlyinherently sinful –sinful –

yet they may not be the right yet they may not be the right thing or the best thing to dothing or the best thing to do Which university should I choose?Which university should I choose?

Should I take this job offer?Should I take this job offer? Am I eating too much?Am I eating too much? Should I take part in this event or Should I take part in this event or

hobby?hobby? Should I watch this movie?Should I watch this movie? What should I wear? What is modest?What should I wear? What is modest? How do we make decisions about How do we make decisions about

such things?such things?

Bible PrinciplesBible PrinciplesFor Making Good DecisionsFor Making Good Decisions

Is it Is it ExpedientExpedient for my spiritual for my spiritual benefit?benefit?

(1)(1)Is it Is it EXPEDIENTEXPEDIENT for for my spiritual my spiritual

benefit?benefit?Is it profitable?Is it profitable?

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB)

“All things” means those things that are not inherently sinful. Just because a thing is not a listed sin, does not mean it is expedient or to my advantage to do it.

(1) Is it (1) Is it EXPEDIENTEXPEDIENT for my for my spiritual benefit?spiritual benefit?

Sleep is not sinful – but it can be Sleep is not sinful – but it can be if it leads to slothfulness and if it leads to slothfulness and unfruitfulness? What if we get unfruitfulness? What if we get too little and can’t function well?too little and can’t function well?

Physical exercise is not sinful – Physical exercise is not sinful – but it can be if it is emphasized but it can be if it is emphasized over the spiritual or we neglect over the spiritual or we neglect our physical healthour physical health

Bible PrinciplesBible PrinciplesFor Making Good DecisionsFor Making Good Decisions

Is it Is it ExpedientExpedient for my spiritual for my spiritual benefit?benefit?

Does it Does it EnslaveEnslave me? me?

(2) Does it Enslave (2) Does it Enslave me?me?

Do I allow it to become Do I allow it to become my master?my master?

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB)

We should never let something that is not immoral, not sinful, become our master

Many things are not Many things are not inherentlyinherently sinful – sinful –

But do I become their slave?But do I become their slave? God has given man the power to God has given man the power to

control and subdue the earthcontrol and subdue the earth

When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God, And dost crown him with glory and majesty! Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, (Psalms 8:3-6 NASB)

Many things are not Many things are not inherentlyinherently sinful – sinful –

But do I become their slave?But do I become their slave? Many become a slave to God’s Many become a slave to God’s

created things!created things! The Grape – the alcoholic The Grape – the alcoholic Food – just because we can afford it Food – just because we can afford it

does not mean we need itdoes not mean we need it Drug addictionDrug addiction

Many things are not Many things are not inherentlyinherently sinful – sinful –

But do I become their slave?But do I become their slave? Many become a slave to man’s inventionsMany become a slave to man’s inventions

Just because it is put on film or tape does not Just because it is put on film or tape does not mean I need to watch it or listen to itmean I need to watch it or listen to it

Some people’s lives are totally consumed by TVSome people’s lives are totally consumed by TV Just because we have 24 hour news – does not Just because we have 24 hour news – does not

mean we need to watch it for 24 hoursmean we need to watch it for 24 hours Others lives are controlled by sports – either Others lives are controlled by sports – either

playing or watchingplaying or watching Some addicted by computer games and social Some addicted by computer games and social

networksnetworks Some are slaves to their cell phone – can not Some are slaves to their cell phone – can not

have an “in the flesh” conversation because of have an “in the flesh” conversation because of interruptionsinterruptions

Many things are not Many things are not inherentlyinherently sinful – sinful –

But do I become their slave?But do I become their slave?

And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:23-27 NASB)

Bible PrinciplesBible PrinciplesFor Making Good DecisionsFor Making Good Decisions

Is it Is it ExpedientExpedient for my spiritual for my spiritual benefit?benefit?

Does itDoes it EnslaveEnslave me?me? Next week ……..Next week …….. Does it Does it EdifyEdify, does it build me , does it build me

up?up?