How to Make Godly Decisions Part One
Check Yourself
As a Child of God, we always want to ask the Father for something. “Father bless me with this,” or “Lord bless me with that.” The book of James says in chapter four verse three, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” So we need to know how to ask the Father for something in the right way. Here are 8 of 15 points to consider when asking God for something. The other 7 points will be covered in next weeks bible study.
1. Would you be Able to Ask God’s Blessings for it? Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it”
Whatever you ask Him for, do you think He will approve of it? Are your supplications for “fleshly” things? Do you think the Lord will give you that desire if it will satisfy your flesh? Will what you ask for bring sorrow or pain in your life? If anything you ask for will cause you problems, then that desire He will not grant. He will now bless you with anything that will cause hardship, or try your salvation.
2. Can You Genuinely Thank God for It? Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.”
Can you with a good conscience say “Lord, I thank you for this,” or would there be doubts, concerns, or problems as a result? Sometimes things may look good, but what looks good will turn out to be to your detriment.
3. Would God get the Glory Out of It? 1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Would the decision you made or the supplication you asked for honor or glorify God? Would it serve the purpose of God’s plan or will for your life?
4. Would it Be Something that the Word would Give You Glory For? 1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
If you ask God for something, would it be of the world? Would it be like the world? Would the world give you praise concerning it? Would the world benefit from it, would it cater to their carnal mentalify? Would the world praise you more than they would God for?
5. Would it Cause a Stumbling Block for Belivers? 1 Corinthians 8:9 “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”
Is what you asked for an offence to other brothers and sisters in Christ? Would it hinder your growth in Christ Jesus? Would your decision or lifestyle cause weak believers to fall?
6. Would it Weaken Your Faith? Hebrews 3:12 “Take heed, brethren, lest there by in any of you and evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Also see Hebrews 12:1
Would your asking for cause you to be indecisive about your faith or life? Would it add burden to your life? Will you heart desire it more than God? Will it lead you astray, or bring doubt in your heart?
7. How Would Satan React to Your Decision? 1 Peter 5:8-10 “Be sober, be vigilant; becuase your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Who resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Would your loved ones, friends, or family who don’t know the Lord turn against you? Would they plot for you to change your decision? Would they attack you, belittling you? Would those that dislike you, give you a pat on the back for this decision? Would the demons in hell rejoice at this decision? Would evil spirits draw closer to you?
8. What Would the Consequences Be? Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived, God is not macked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
When the dust has settled about your decision, what would the conlcusion be of the matter? Will there be peace from God for you, will there be growth? Will the decision leave behind a generational curse? Will it leave a stain on your soul?