Life is a series of decisions. Every day we are faced with a multitude of choices. Each day, when we hear the alarm clock, we must decide whether to get up and prepare for the day, or stay in bed. When we receive our paychecks, we must decide whether to spend our money frivolously or put some of it in a savings account. Our success or failure is based on the decisions we make.
Every decision has a consequence; nothing just happens. I like to say, decisions are the open door to reality. Once you make a choice, a door to a particular outcome will open. For example, if you are not prospering financially, it may not be because God has not provided the means for you to prosper, or that money has not come into your hands. You may be lacking because you have been unwise with your finances.
Our knowledge base determines our decisions. If we have the wrong information, or not enough information, we will consistently make wrong choices. We must question what shapes our thinking and from where do we obtain information that shapes our life choices?
Many people’s decisions are shaped by the media and society’s norms and values. The problem is, these avenues of information are not based on the Word of God and therefore provide no sound platform upon which to make decisions.
Another avenue is family. You may have grown up with ideas imparted to you by those closest to you. There may be ways of doing things that have become the norm in your life, and you never knew any better. However, if these habits do not align with God’s way of doing things, they will take you in the wrong direction.
We must carefully examine our knowledge base. Why do we do what we do, and think the way we think? We cannot do better until we know better. But once we get a different perspective, we are armed with the tools we need to choose wisely.
Besides having the wrong information, it is just as bad to not have enough information. In order to make wise decisions, we must be adequately informed.
God has given us His Word to help navigate us through life. Whether dealing with family, children, or work, we can make wise decisions that will lead us to a place of comfort because we have the manual for wise decision making—the Bible.
The Word of God gives clear instructions on how to manage our lives in every area! However, keeping the Bible on the coffee table will not do us any good. We must actually study and meditate on that Word, and find out what it says about life’s situations. If not, we will inevitably end up doing things out of our own belief system, which could be limited or flat-out wrong.
A wise decision is one that is in line with the Word of God. I have often said the wisdom of God is His Word. When you choose to make the Word your final authority, wisdom will become available to you. I like the way my wife, Taffi, defines wisdom. She calls it knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do.
Being wise is not just having knowledge; it is knowing how to use the knowledge you have in any given situation. For example, you may know how to cook, but can you prepare a meal with only a few items in the refrigerator or cupboard? Wisdom is knowing how to use your knowledge to achieve a positive outcome, regardless of your circumstances.
God will show you the best course of action to take in a given situation when you have exhausted your natural ability. It may be regarding your finances, or even something you may need to say to someone. It could be an inner “hunch” to do a particular thing rather than follow your intellect. Wisdom is divinely inspired insight from God, showing you what to do.
Raising children definitely calls for wisdom. It is great to read parenting books and stay abreast of the latest issues children and teenagers face, but that knowledge alone will not be enough for you to raise your kids. Paraphrasing statistics will not be helpful when you have a teenage daughter struggling with sexual temptation. However, the wisdom of God will show you exactly how to effectively handle the situation in order to help her successfully overcome any temptation she faces.
If you need wisdom, simply ask God for it! He will impart His insight into you for your specific situation. Asking for wisdom is a way of acknowledging God in everything you do. It is essentially saying, “Lord, I don’t know what to do. I need you now.” It is the foundation for making the right choices in life.
The Word of God: Your Doorway to Wisdom
God’s Word contains the wisdom you need on a daily basis; but in order to have the wisdom of God you must first obtain the knowledge of His Word. Knowledge precedes wisdom.
So many people are having trouble making wise decisions because they do not spend enough time meditating on the Word of God. To meditate is to ponder, consider and turn something over in your mind. Meditating on the Word requires us to focus on a scripture and think about it to the point that we “squeeze the juice out of it” in a sense. It is spending time with the Word to such a point that it becomes rooted in your heart and changes the way you think.
When you meditate on the Word of God, you are gaining knowledge and learning things that will eventually manifest into wisdom. When the scriptures are a part of you to that degree, God can begin to speak directly to you. The written Word is the doorway to the spoken Word of God specific for your situation. This is the inspired insight I am talking about.
You Choose
We cannot blame the devil or anyone else for where we are now. Instead, let’s look at our choices and take responsibility for them. If we want to grow we must become established in this law of wise decision-making. Take some time to examine your decision making skills. Ask yourself if you need to improve and be honest with yourself. Growth cannot occur until we acknowledge a need to change.
Even if you have made some unwise decisions in the past, you can change your course today. The first step is to renew your mind with the Word of God and make it the final authority.
You do not have to go through life in the dark, not knowing how to handle the situations you face. You can make the right decisions—every time. Choosing to obey God and His Word will position you to walk in His blessings. Get your mind in line with what the Bible says and you will begin making wise choices that will lead you to a prosperous and successful destination!
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