7 Biblical Truths to Guide Your Decision-Making

1. Love God above All Else

This foundational truth points you toward God’s will. Jesus affirms this truth when he says in Matthew 22:37-38: “… Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

When you’re facing an important decision, prioritize your love for God above worldly desires.

In Mark 12:30, Jesus encourages you to love God above all else: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” This establishes the core direction for all decisions, aligning them a loving relationship with God.

When you love God with full devotion, you acknowledge God’s worth and recognize that God alone deserves your worship and praise. A powerful way to cultivate love for God is by paying attention to the wonder of God’s work in your life.

As you discover and appreciate what God is doing for you and in the world around you, you can be inspired to live God more deeply. That will motivate you to trust God’s will for you and live with purpose. 

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2. Love Your Neighbors as Yourself

In addition to loving God, Jesus emphasized the importance of loving your neighbors. That means loving not just those who are living near you, but all the other people who are in your life.

Jesus says in Matthew 22:39: “… Love your neighbor as yourself.” This commandment requires relating to your neighbors with intentional kindness day by day. So, when making decisions, consider how your actions will impact those around you, and keep their well-being in mind.

Practicing empathy and compassion is also an important part of loving your neighbors as yourself. In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus teaches about the Good Samaritan who shows compassion to a stranger in need. That parable highlights the importance of helping others, regardless of their background or circumstances.

When you make decisions, try to understand the perspectives and needs of the people in your life. Invite God’s love to flow through your life and into the lives of others who you can help with kind words and actions. 

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3. Pray for Wisdom

Prayer is a powerful tool for seeking God’s wisdom and applying that wisdom with discernment so you can make the best decisions.

James 1:5 assures you: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” So, develop prayer and meditation habits that help you communicate with God regularly.

Ask the Holy Spirit for the help you need when you’re facing important decisions. God will give you clear direction through his Spirit, who renews your mind. Prayerfully reflect on God’s Word, the Bible, as well.

Psalm 119:105 declares: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” When you need to make an important choice, pray for the Holy Spirit to bring to mind Bible verses that can enlighten you.

Hebrews 4:12 reveals that God will use the Bible to empower you with deep wisdom: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Finally, as you seek wisdom for your decisions, ask trustworthy and caring people you know to pray for you.

Proverbs 11:14 points out: “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” Prayers and advice from people who are pursuing holiness as they walk with God can also help you make wise decisions.

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4. Don't Be Afraid

Fear, which is the opposite of faith, can harm your ability to make the best decisions. When you’re afraid, you can lose your focus on God’s guidance, and you can also lose the confidence God wants you to have to make decisions well.

In Isaiah 41:10, God assures you: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God calls you to trust in his promises so you can overcome fear with faith.

When you’re facing uncertainty that is fueling worry as you’re trying to make decisions, ask God to help you fight anxiety. Make an intentional choice to trust God’s leading-- despite feeling afraid--and you’ll discover that God will help you overcome fear as you move forward with faith.

Psalm 27:1 asks wise questions: “The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?” When you’re confronted with a daunting decision, remember God’s wonderful goodness and power, and let that inspire you to choose faith over fear. The only healthy fear is awe for God.

When you focus on God rather than on your circumstances, you can experience awe that empowers you to transcend fear and make decisions with courage. 

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5. Pursue Justice

God calls you to pursue justice in all areas of life. Micah 6:8 features this truth: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

When making decisions, consider the ethical implications and choose actions that reflect God’s standards of righteousness. One crucial aspect of seeking justice is advocating for vulnerable people in society.

Isaiah 1:17 exhorts you to, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” When you’re making decisions that impact vulnerable populations, prioritize their well-being. Don’t stay silent about evil.

Instead, speak out against injustice and advocate for equitable opportunities and fair treatment for all people. Another important way to pursue justice as you make decisions is to choose integrity in all your words and actions. Proverbs 12:22 declares: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”

When confronted with decisions that test your integrity, choose honesty and transparency--even when that may be difficult or unpopular. Your decisions for justice can point people to God’s truth and give them the hope they need. 

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6. Use Your God-Given Gifts and Talents to Contribute to Our World

God has uniquely given each of us with distinctive gifts and talents to join his redemptive work in our fallen world. Don’t waste the valuable abilities God has given you.

Romans 12:6-8 declares: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

When making decisions about how to use your resources, consider how you can leverage them to glorify God and contribute to our world. Ask God to show you how to make the best decisions about all of your work--both paid and volunteer work--so you can put your abilities to use well.

As 1 Peter 4:10-11 encourages you: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

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7. Practice Forgiveness

A challenging yet vital biblical truth that should guide your decisions is God’s call to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 urges you: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

When you’re faced with conflicts or offenses, choose forgiveness over retaliation, following Jesus' example of grace and mercy. Rather than carrying grudges or seeking revenge, ask God to help you forgive the people who have hurt you, just as God has forgiven you for your own sins.

Colossians 3:13 exhorts you: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Let your gratitude for how God has forgiven you for your mistakes inspire you to choose forgiveness while you’re making decisions. Keep doing so as you make decisions day by day, so you won’t allow any bitterness to take root in your soul.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus instructs his disciple Peter to forgive others not just 7 times, but 77 times, which represents an unlimited amount of forgiveness. You can always rely on God to empower you to forgive, but first, you must choose forgiveness in all situations.

In conclusion, while our world is full of conflicting values, the Bible presents trustworthy truths from God to guide your decision-making. Anchoring your decisions in biblical principles helps you experience the best life possible--one where you fulfill God’s good purposes for you and our world. Let these 7 biblical truths illuminate your path as you walk through life with Jesus, the Light of the World.

No matter what decisions you’re facing, remembering these truths can empower you to make decisions that honor God and bless yourself and others.

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