This week, while reading Jay Adams book A Theology of Christian Counseling, Adams covers the topic of making biblical decisions, in what i think, is the most practical and God-honoring way for us a believers to approach every facet of our lives.
First Adams starts by saying two things. One, that there is no way to know God's will and to receive His guidance apart from the Scriptures. Second, there are scriptural principles and practices to cover all circumstances of life, available to those who take the time to make the effort to understand and know the Bible adequately. What a blessing that there IS a place we can turn to understand the Lord's will and what he would have us do, no matter the surrounding circumstances! Along with this Adams dispels the myth of "being led by the spirit"; the thought that there is extra-biblical guidance in decision-making. Being led by the Spirit (as referenced in Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:8) means walking in righteous paths by the Spirits strength. Adams states; "The Christian is "led" to walk in God's ways by the Spirit rather than to walk in the flesh. No notions of guidance in decision-making appears in either passage."
First Adams starts by saying two things. One, that there is no way to know God's will and to receive His guidance apart from the Scriptures. Second, there are scriptural principles and practices to cover all circumstances of life, available to those who take the time to make the effort to understand and know the Bible adequately. What a blessing that there IS a place we can turn to understand the Lord's will and what he would have us do, no matter the surrounding circumstances! Along with this Adams dispels the myth of "being led by the spirit"; the thought that there is extra-biblical guidance in decision-making. Being led by the Spirit (as referenced in Romans 8:14 and Galatians 5:8) means walking in righteous paths by the Spirits strength. Adams states; "The Christian is "led" to walk in God's ways by the Spirit rather than to walk in the flesh. No notions of guidance in decision-making appears in either passage."
Okay so, what is our first step of making decisions? We are to search out the relevant principles that have a bearing upon the case (some are general and others more specific.) Adams uses the example of marriage. If marriage is the decision in question, we must first apply the biblical principles of purity. Then we must also consider 1 Cor. 7:39 which says "...marry only in the Lord." This is a direct statement to believers, to not be unequally yoked, meaning we are not to knowingly marry an unbeliever. By doing this we have automatically narrowed down the choices significantly, because now all unbelievers are automatically discounted in our choice to marry rightly. From there lets say a man has come to the point where he sees three Christian women as potential marriage partners; Mary, Hannah, and Amy. Now, he brings more specific principals into play. Mary has many good qualities about her, but there are some concerns for her church attendance and Bible study. Mary then may be rejected, because at this time she doesn't seem adequately susceptible to biblical authority. Now he must choose between Hannah and Amy who are both passionate Christians and involved in Christ's work. Here is where it gets tricky. There is not principal that would exclude one woman or the other, and both are equally good choices. After biblical principles have boxed out, or rejected, all unbelieving woman, and at this time, Mary, but this man is left with more than one option within in the box. In this situation it is neither right nor wrong to marry either Hannah or Amy. At this point it is important to keep in mind that the case in which one mat choose from among many goods, exists only for those who have eliminated all biblically wrong options. Thus at this time, this mans decision to marry either Hannah or Amy, is purely preferential! God is a God of abundance, and how often he leaves us with many choices, all of which would honor him, and we get to choose OUR preference!! It makes no sense apart from Gods love and mercy!!!
So basically we are to, search the Scripture for principles applying to our situation, discount all choices that would be considered unbiblical, and then choose from the choice(s) that are left in our box!!!
Something else Adams discussed is what he calls the "holding principle." This comes into play when we have a situation where we are unsure if our action would be sinful. The example that Adams gives is that of Paul addressing those in the church who thought it was sin to eat the meat offered to idols(Romans 14:23.) He explains how if we think what we are doing is sin, and yet continue to act, then our action does become sin. ("eating in doubt.") We should become fully convinced in our OWN mind, not by what others around us are doing. So in these type of occasions, where we are unsure if our actions are sinful, we must "hold" our decision. We must prayerfully consider the issue and search the scriptures to see what the Lord says about this issue. **If biblical reasons to do it do not appear, there is a reason to refrain from action.** Many times we can be put under pressure to make a hasty decision, which can often result in our making a bad decision. God often wants to slow us down to take a closer look at something before we commit ourselves to it. Examining which option will give the Lord the most glory, and then stick with that.
I was so encouraged by Adams practical ways to make biblical decisions I decided it would be most profitable to share it! I pray this will fall upon someone's heart who is confused on this issue, and cause them to make a choice that honors the Lord!! This was by NO MEANS any of my ideas or word! The Lord used Jay Adams to teach me about how to better honor Him through each decision I make!
