Decisions
Better • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Better: Decisions
Lunch decisions with the girls. You decide… no not that.
Better decisions are biblical decisions.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Own understanding
Good questions lead to better decisions. - Andy Stanley
What does God’s word say about this?
Who should I date then make my mate?
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Should I take out a loan for this thing I can not afford?
7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
The average student borrower takes 20 years to pay off their student loan debt. Some professional graduates take over 45 years to repay student loans. 21% of borrowers see their total student loan debt balance increase in the first 5 years of their loan. - educationdata.org
Good questions lead to better decisions. - Andy Stanley
What does the Bible have to say about this decision?
Who can help me better understand what God’s Word says about this decision?
2. Better decisions are made when we have all the facts.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
What is cross-examine? Asking a lot of questions.
Ask a lot of questions.
Don’t fall prey to “wishful thinking” or let your emotions get the best of you.
Remember that there are two sides to every story. - When dealing with siblings.
3. Better decisions are not pressured decisions.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
How much more will-way!
Have you ever made a hasty decision only to regret it later?
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
diligent / haste - contrast both.
You need to invest today or you will miss out.
Beware of the “once in a lifetime” deal and the lure of instant gratification.
I learned in marketing / act now, limited supply, and the countdown timer.
Don’t let the fear of missing out (FOMO) drive your decision.
When in doubt, leave it out.
4. Understanding our possible motives can help us make better decisions.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Acknowledge that you have “blind spots.”
Honestly assess your motives, both good and bad.
Give others permission to speak in to your life.
5. Past experience should inform us to make better decisions.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein.
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
Some ppl have to learn the hard way.
I only have to learn that mistake one time.
Look for patterns of behavior – “triggers.”
Understand how your family background might affect your thinking.
Learn from your mistakes! / ask why do I keep making this same dumb decisions.
6. A better decision is a counseled decision.
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
Avoid having many separate conversations.
Don’t get counseled by someone more jacked up than you.
Don’t just seek counsel from people who you know will give you the advise you want to hear.
Recognize the difference between “selling” and “sharing.”
7. Better decisions are made by considering possible outcomes.
15 The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
give thought - Think!
12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Do the “long math.”
Assess the potential risks.
Have a contingency plan.
9. Better decisions won’t threaten my integrity or hinder my witness for the Lord.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Work toward the “center” rather than flirt with the “edge.”
Ask yourself, “Would this pass the ’newspaper‘ test?”
Questions for SMG Notes.
https://www.watermark.org/blog/decision-making-principles