GLORIFYING GOD IN YOUR DECISIONS

Rev. Dr. R. J. Lightsey II, D. Div.

May 16, 2010

Recently, I’ve been pondering why people make bad decisions. I tried to gain some ground in understanding why by thinking back on some of the bad decisions I have made over the years. I’ll be completely honest and state that there were more bad decisions that came to mind than I cared to think about. The common theme in all of the bad decisions I had made is that I wanted to please and satisfy my own selfish desires. I did not seek God or His will in arriving at any of those regrettable outcomes. Therefore, even though I may have enjoyed the rides for a while, the end results were nothing less than disastrous.

Through self examination, I realized that there is a process to making good decisions. Though the process is relatively short, it is a vital process to be followed to achieve positive outcomes. Of course the process has the ultimate goal of glorifying God in your decisions. If we can keep that in mind, we will be more readily prepared to begin the process of making good decisions.

There are two (2) things I want to draw your attention to. First, God will allow you to fail, if you make bad decisions. In 1 Samuel 13:8-14 we see the failure of Saul because of the bad decision he made. As king, it was not his position to sacrifice burnt offerings. That task (responsibility) belonged to the priest, Samuel. Saul’s decision was based on his self-will. He wanted to satisfy and draw attention to himself. In 1 Samuel 10:8 Saul was instructed by Samuel to wait until he (Samuel) arrived in Gilgal and he (Samuel) would offer the sacrifices for peace. Saul knew the instruction but he chose to ignore it. His bad decision cost him his kingship.

Second, God always leaves a way to do what is right. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we read “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (KJV). The point here is that God allows temptation to come your way. Satan tempts you, but God allows it. But since God has never and will never set you up to fail, He always, always makes or establishes a way for you to endure the temptation but not yield to it. He always, always creates an exit door for you to go through and come out on the side of victory. Praise God from Whom all blessings and victories flow! God always, always provides a door that leads directly to a good decision. He won’t make you go through that door but He will always show you the way. He does this because He wants you to know there is no failure in Him and He will not set you up to fail.

Now, to arrive at the right decision, you must understand why you (God’s creation) exist. In Isaiah 43:5-7 God tells Israel, “Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, keep not back: bring thy sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” (KJV). God says that everyone that is called by His name was created for His glory. My brother, my sister, as a child of the Most High King, your purpose is to glorify God in the earth realm and to reign with the authority, anointing, and favor He has given. That’s why in 1 Corinthians 10:31 Paul instructs the church by saying, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (KJV). Half of the good decision-making process is understanding and practicing this principle.

An essential tool we have for making good decisions is the Word of God. In Luke 6:40, Jesus says “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master” (KJV). Let the Word show you what God’s commandments are. Strive to be perfect (fully trained) by knowing and obeying God’s Word – the written Word and Christ.  If you want to be mature in your Christian walk, you must become Christ-like in your decision making.  The only way to do this is to study the Word and become Christ-like. Philippians 2:5 says to let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. In Philippians 2:8 we read where Christ humbled Himself and was obedient.

Finally, you will experience joy at the end of each and every good decision-making process because God will be glorified. If you delight yourself in Him and in pleasing Him, He will not withhold any good thing from you. God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, glorify God in your decisions!