Making Wise Choices

Just the other day, a close personal friend of mine looked straight into my face and asked, "How do I make the right decision?" I was at a loss. I knew he wasn't asking me to make the decision for him. He wanted to know the process for making the right decision. I had to confess that I had a general idea, but no specifics.

Ecclesiastes 8 verses one and seven say this about wisdom: “How wonderful to be wise, to be able to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its hardness… Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right.”

But, how does one become wise?

I can find plenty of Bible verses regarding “wisdom” and “discernment.” There are many verses that speak of how important wisdom is, but not near as many that outline simple steps to gaining it.

One way that is pointed out is to ask for it (James 1:5). Solomon did exactly that in II Chronicles 1:10: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people…” God was only too happy to fulfill Solomon’s request (verses 11 and 12). We, too, must ask for God to grant us wisdom.

We must ask persistently.

In Matthew 7 verses seven and eight, Jesus states: “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.”

We must not doubt that God will grant us wisdom (James 1:6). When we doubt that we have been given God’s wisdom we lose faith in the choices we have made. We become “wishy-washy,” or unstable. A few minutes after my friend had asked the question, "How do I make the right decision?" I went back to him with something that resonated inside of me. I said, "Go back to the last decision you made on the matter. If it was made with peace, knowing that you were making the right decision, then you have to follow it with everything you've got. Put all of your energy into it." I told him at the end of a month to evaluate the results, I believe that if the initial decision was made with the correct application of God's wisdom, he will see results that will back up his decision.

In the Old Testament, Samuel’s selection for Saul’s replacement provides an excellent example of how to make Godly decisions:

1. Do not judge by outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7)—quite often, when the time comes for us to make a major decision in our own lives, one of the options will stand out as very attractive, especially by the World’s standards. God reminds Samuel (and us) to look more deeply.

2. Be persistent in seeking God’s will in the matter (verses 8-11)—Samuel continued to ask Jesse to bring out each one of his sons until he heard God speak. He even refused to sit down until he heard God confirm his choice (verse 11)

3. Realize that God’s word is the final authority (verse 12)—Once God has spoken on a matter, act on His command. God’s will is made available to all of us in the form of the Bible. When God’s Word is clear in regards to a decision you are being required to make, act on it without hesitation.

I also have to remind myself that there is a difference between “knowledge” and “wisdom”. Knowledge is merely a pre-requisite for wisdom. We can accumulate a lot of knowledge without being truly wise. Wisdom is applying the knowledge we have gained in order to make a good decision. Knowledge is a “good” thing, but wisdom is the “God” thing.

God, grant me the wisdom to make godly choices in my life, and in the life of my family. Help me apply the knowledge you have given me to make wise choices. Help me stand firm in my convictions, and not get tossed back and forth like a wave. Help me pursue wisdom wholeheartedly, and not let go of it once I have attained it.