How to Make Biblical Decisions

Main idea: Biblical decision-making is not mainly about finding a hidden sign. It is about bringing our choices under God’s Word, God’s glory, the character of Christ, love for others, and a conscience that can act in faith.

A Tough Decision to Start With

Your employer offers you a promotion with a large raise. It would improve your family’s financial security and provide opportunities you could not otherwise afford. Nothing about the job is illegal or dishonest—but it would require far more time away from your wife, children, church, and the people already entrusted to you. By the world’s standards, accepting it looks responsible, successful, and almost automatic. What about the Biblical view?

How can you be sure your decision will always the most faithful decision?
What would you need to consider before deciding whether accepting—or declining—the promotion is the biblical choice?

If you struggle with answering this, there are five questions to ask that can help.

Before the Five Questions: Ask God for Wisdom

James 1:5

“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.” — James 1:5 (NIV)

Historical situation: James wrote to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations who were facing trials and pressure. The verses immediately before this one explain that trials test faith and can produce perseverance. These believers needed wisdom—not merely information—to know how to live faithfully in difficult circumstances.

Meaning and context: God does not shame His children for admitting that they lack wisdom. He invites us to ask. Biblical wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s perspective and choose a faithful course. Prayer is not a substitute for Scripture, careful thought, or wise counsel. It is the posture that brings all of those things before God with humility.

Do you normally pray for wisdom before making a decision, or only after the situation becomes difficult?
What is the difference between asking God for wisdom and asking Him to approve what you already want?
Is there a decision you need to bring honestly before God tonight?

Proverbs 3:5–6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

Historical situation: Proverbs was written to train God’s people—especially the young—in wisdom, character, and the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1–9 presents wisdom as a path that must be chosen. In chapter 3, a father urges his son not to forget God’s teaching but to trust the Lord rather than treating his own understanding as sufficient.

Meaning and context: Trusting God does not mean refusing to think. It means refusing to make our own reasoning the highest authority. We “submit” to God in all our ways by acknowledging His right to direct every part of life. The promise of a straight path does not mean an easy path; it means that God faithfully directs the person who trusts and obeys Him.

Where are you most tempted to lean only on your own experience or instincts?
What would submitting this decision to God look like in practical terms?
Are you willing to obey God even if His path is slower, harder, or less profitable?

Question 1: Does It Align with God’s Word?

2 Timothy 3:16–17

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV)

Historical situation: Paul wrote 2 Timothy near the end of his life to encourage Timothy, a younger pastor serving in a difficult environment. False teaching, moral confusion, and opposition were increasing. Immediately before these verses, Paul reminded Timothy to continue in the Scriptures he had known since childhood because they make a person wise for salvation through faith in Christ.

Meaning and context: Scripture is “God-breathed,” so it is our first and highest test for a decision. God’s Word teaches what is true, exposes what is wrong, corrects our direction, and trains us to live rightly. The Bible will not name every job, purchase, move, or opportunity, but it gives commands, prohibitions, principles, priorities, and wisdom that set the boundaries for every choice. If God has clearly spoken, we do not need a sign that permits us to disobey.

Is there a clear biblical command or principle that applies to the decision?
Am I using one verse to justify what I want while ignoring the larger teaching of Scripture?
If someone asked me to explain the biblical basis for this choice, what would I say?

Decision test: God will never lead us to do something that contradicts what He has already said.

Question 2: Will It Glorify God?

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Historical situation: The Corinthian church had questions about food connected with idol worship. Some believers emphasized their freedom to eat, while others had serious concerns of conscience. Paul warned against idolatry and taught that Christian freedom must be guided by love, concern for others, and a desire to honor God. His conclusion reaches beyond food to “whatever you do.”

Meaning and context: God’s glory means that His worth, goodness, and character are displayed and honored. A decision can be permissible without being helpful or God-honoring. Asking whether a choice glorifies God moves us beyond “Can I do this?” to “Why do I want to do this, and what will it say about the God I serve?” This question examines our motives as well as the outward action.

Who receives the attention, credit, or benefit from this decision?
Would I be comfortable thanking God for this choice and asking Him to use it for His purposes?
Am I choosing this mainly for status, comfort, control, revenge, or fear?

Decision test: A biblical choice should be one we can make openly before God and use to honor Him.

Question 3: Does It Reflect the Character of Jesus?

Philippians 2:5–8

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” — Philippians 2:5–8 (NIV)

Historical situation: Paul wrote Philippians while imprisoned. The church loved and supported him, but it also faced pressure from outside and tension within. In the verses leading into this passage, Paul called the believers to unity, humility, and concern for the interests of others. He then pointed to Jesus as the supreme example.

Meaning and context: Jesus did not use His position for selfish advantage. He chose humility, service, sacrifice, and obedience to the Father. Following Jesus does not mean always choosing the most unpleasant option, but it does mean asking whether our choice reflects His heart. Pride, manipulation, selfish ambition, dishonesty, and the need to win do not become Christlike merely because they help us reach a desirable goal.

Does this decision require humility, honesty, service, patience, courage, or sacrifice like Jesus demonstrated?
Am I protecting my rights and comfort at the expense of obedience or another person?
If someone followed my example, would this choice point him toward the character of Christ?

Decision test: The right destination does not justify an un-Christlike way of getting there.

Question 4: Will It Bless and Build Up Others?

1 Corinthians 13:1–7

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” — 1 Corinthians 13:1–7 (NIV)

Historical situation: First Corinthians addresses a gifted but divided church. Believers were competing over leaders, knowledge, status, spiritual gifts, and personal rights. Chapter 13 stands between Paul’s teaching about spiritual gifts in chapters 12 and 14. Love is not a sentimental interruption; it is the necessary standard for how every gift, freedom, and decision is used.

Meaning and context: A choice may display intelligence, courage, generosity, or strong faith and still be empty if it is not governed by love. Biblical love is patient, truthful, humble, and concerned for another person’s real good. Blessing others does not mean pleasing everyone or avoiding every difficult conversation. Sometimes love confronts, sets a boundary, or says no—but it does so without selfishness, pride, revenge, or delight in another person’s harm.

Who will be strengthened by this decision, and who may be unnecessarily harmed?
Am I calling something “truth” while delivering it without patience, kindness, or humility?
Does this choice seek another person’s genuine good, or merely keep that person happy with me?

Decision test: Christian freedom asks not only what I am allowed to do, but how my choice will affect the people God has placed around me.

Question 5: Can I Do It in Faith, Without Regret?

Romans 14:23

“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” — Romans 14:23 (NIV)

Historical situation: The Roman church included believers with different backgrounds and convictions about food and sacred days. Some felt free to eat all foods; others abstained. Paul did not tell them to treat every preference as a divine command. He told them not to despise or condemn one another, not to cause another believer to stumble, and not to act against conscience.

Meaning and context: This verse concerns disputable matters—choices not directly commanded or forbidden by Scripture. It does not teach that every uneasy feeling proves a choice is sinful. Our consciences can be weak, misinformed, or overly sensitive and must be trained by God’s Word. Yet knowingly acting against conscience is dangerous because we are no longer acting from trust in God. If we cannot make a choice with a clear conscience before Him, wisdom says to pause.

Can I make this decision with a clear conscience and sincerely thank God afterward?
Am I moving forward in faith, or am I being driven by fear, pressure, impatience, or the need to prove something?
If I still have serious doubts, what would be lost by waiting, praying, and seeking wise counsel?

Decision test: When Scripture permits more than one option, do not violate a conscience that is being honestly shaped by God’s Word.

Putting the Five Questions Together

Before making an important decision, ask:

Does it align with God’s Word?
Will it glorify God?
Does it reflect the character of Jesus?
Will it bless and build up others?
Can I do it in faith, with a clear conscience?

A “no” to the first question settles the matter. The remaining questions help us discern between options that may all appear permissible. They are not a mechanical formula that guarantees a painless outcome. They help reveal our motives, expose blind spots, and bring our freedom under the lordship of Jesus.

When the Answer Is Still Not Clear

Pray for wisdom. Ask God to correct your desires, not merely confirm them.
Search the whole counsel of Scripture. Look for commands, principles, priorities, and examples—not an isolated verse.
Seek mature counsel. Choose people who know God’s Word, know you well, and are willing to tell you the truth.
Examine your motives. Ask what fear, desire, pride, comfort, or pressure may be shaping you.
Consider responsibilities and consequences. Faithfulness includes promises already made and people already entrusted to your care.
Wait when possible. An artificial deadline or emotional rush is not the same as God’s leading.
Decide and trust God. After honest prayer, biblical evaluation, and wise counsel, choose faithfully rather than demanding perfect certainty.

Closing Discussion

Which of the five questions do you naturally ask, and which one do you tend to overlook?
Is there a current decision for which one of these questions changes how you see the situation?
How can Christian men help one another make wise decisions without trying to control one another?
What is one next step you will take this week regarding a decision you are facing?

Closing thought: God’s will is not merely about where we go or what we choose. His will includes the kind of men we become while making the choice—men shaped by truth, eager for His glory, growing like Christ, loving others, and walking by faith.

Sources / Credits

The five-question framework was inspired by a social post attributed to Steve Tye and supplied by the study leader.
Scripture text: New International Version (NIV), linked to Bible Gateway.
Historical and contextual notes are original summaries based on the immediate biblical settings of the passages.