Notes on How to Make Better Decisions

I've been following along with the Daily Hope emails sent out by Pastor Rick Warren. Lately the series has to do with making good decisions. Sometimes I get lost in my decision-making and only later does the better decision make itself known. So, I copied and pasted them here for quick and easy reference.  These are  mostly verbatim from the emails, just copied and pasted for quick reference.

Ideal Test

• Verse:
• If you want better insight and discernment . . . learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting him . . . He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time” (Proverbs 2:3-5, 9 TLB).
• Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (NIV)
• Ask yourself:
• Do your decisions and actions line up with God’s will? Are they in harmony with God’s Word?
• Notes:
• When the light of God’s Word makes your choice clear, just obey—even if you don’t understand

Integrity Test

• Verse(s)
• “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)
• James 4:17 says, “Knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin” (TLB).
• “If someone believes it is wrong, then he shouldn’t do it because for him it is wrong” (Romans 14:14 TLB).

• Ask yourself
• “Would I want everyone to know about this decision?”
• Can I do this with a clear conscience?
• Do I believe this is wrong?

• Notes:
• When you have integrity, your public life and your private life match. What’s in your heart is the same as what other people see on the outside. What you say and what you do are in harmony.
• Violating your conscience is a big mistake. God will forgive you for the wrong you do. But forgiveness doesn’t free you from the consequences of bad decisions.

You can be forgiven and still have regrets. You can be forgiven and still face pain. You can be forgiven and still have broken relationships.

 Improvement Test

• Verse(s)
• “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.”

1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)

• Ask yourself
• Will this make me a better person?
• Notes
• Sometimes, though, you have to decide between a good option and a best option. In situations like that, use the Improvement Test.
• The reality is, many people are spending their lives on second-class causes (reading, watching tv). But you don’t have to. Don’t coast along, filling up your life with things that aren’t the best.

 Independence Test

• Verse(s)
• “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.”

1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV)

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3 NIV).

• 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul says, “I can do anything I want to if Christ has not said no, but some of these things aren’t good for me. Even if I am allowed to do them, I’ll refuse to if I think they might get such a grip on me that I can’t easily stop when I want to” (TLB).

• Before allowing something into your life, Ask yourself
• Could this begin to control and dominate my life? Could it become addicting to me? Could I become dependent on it?
• How do you know if you’ve fallen into an addiction? How do you know if something is starting to dominate your life—when you no longer are independent of it? Ask yourself: What do I think about the most? When I’m alone, where does my mind go?
•  
• Notes
• No matter how fun something is, it’s bad for you if it becomes an addiction. Because whatever dominates your life eventually becomes your god.
• Modern idols include: the maker of your car, the label in your clothing, or the corner office in your building; things we can become addicted to: work, sex, money, the internet.
• when Christ is in control, he encourages, enables, and empowers you.

 Influence Test

• Verse(s)
• Each of us will give an account of himself to God . . . Try to live in such a way that you will never make your brother stumble by letting him see you doing something that he thinks is wrong.” Romans 14:12-13 (TLB)
• Romans 15:1-2 says, “Even if we believe that it makes no difference to the Lord whether we do these things, still we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves; for we must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others” (TLB).
•  

• Ask yourself
• Will this harm other people?
• “Am I a good neighbor to the people who live closest to me?”
• How will it affect others?”
• Notes
• The Influence Test is the opposite of what our culture encourages. Our culture teaches you to think of yourself only: What do you need? What do you want?

But God expects you to think of people around you, too.

• The Bible says that one day we’ll be judged on how our decisions have affected other people. God takes this seriously.

• The randos you meet everyday are watching too- even when they are nasty. The way your respond or react matters.

Other

• “Follow all the directions the LORD your God has given you. Life will go well for you.”

Deuteronomy 5:33 (GW)

• Obedience is the key that unlocks God's promises

“God blesses those who obey him” (Proverbs 16:20 TLB).

“The Lord takes care of those who obey him” (Psalm 37:18 GNT).

“The Lord watches over those who obey him” (Psalm 33:18 GNT).

“Always obey the Lord and you will be happy” (Proverbs 28:14 GNT).