How to Make Wise DecisionsSample

Seek Pastoral Advice

Permit others to speak into your life. Many times it is hard to let people in, to be vulnerable, and allow others to see us and know our needs, our wants, and our desires, but we need to recognize the value of good counsel. We cannot be so proud as to think we can make our own decisions without help or guidance from anyone else. The Bible says in Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” However, we cannot go around asking every person we know for advice. We must know that the person giving us counsel has their heart in the right place, has a healthy relationship with the Lord, and wants what is best for our lives. This is why it is good to seek pastoral advice when possible.

In 1 Kings 12, we read the story of King Rehoboam, who went to the wise elders for advice on an important matter about the people of His kingdom, because he did not like the advice they gave him, he then went to his friends and took their advice over that of the wise men. We can see, by the end of the story, that it was the wrong choice to make. Whenever we seek advice, we must make sure that it comes from wise people, not just people we like. We also need to know that others will not force us into making a certain decision. 

One of the duties of pastors and elders is to shepherd God’s people. We must allow them to shepherd us by guiding us in decision-making. But when we are certain that the Bible does not forbid a course of action, and we do not see that it would be spiritually unhealthy, then we can do what we want to do. If we are not sinning, have our hearts in the right place, are in agreement with the Lord, and delighting in Him, then we can do what we want. 

The decisions we make, as well as the consequences that come with them, are always up to us.