How are we to prayerfully seek God and make a spiritual decision… How do we make an important decision and feel confidence that we are in God’s Will? What school to go to? Who to date? Who to marry? What job to take? Work or stay at home? Private, Public, Home School? Rent or buy? Which house to buy? Kids or no? Another kid or no? Democrat or Republican? This or that church?
I believe God does sometimes directly and personally tell His people exactly what to do. However, 95% of the time we are not going to get a “burning bush” experience for many of our big decisions in life…sometimes even the biggest ones. Then what do we do? We don’t have to fake it. You know that I mean… when we claim God told us something but we know in our heart of hearts that more than likely it is just “our feeling” and not actually “the voice of God.”
There is a way to seek God and make confident, Biblical, and Godly decisions that arise from a process of wisdom. That leads us to Proverbs 3:5-6.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Key Ideas from text:
1- Put my whole-hearted trust in the LORD (3:5)
2- Offer my whole-life surrendered to the LORD (3:6a)
3- The LORD will actively make my path straight & right (3:6b)
12-Point Practical Check-List from Prov. 3:5-6:
Whole-hearted trust …
(1) I am seeking Jesus about this decision (worship, fasting, & prayer) – if not then key going forward
(2) I am regularly reading, trusting, and acting upon God’s Word. — if not then key going forward
(3) I know what God’s Word says specifically about this
(4) I have listened to my hearts desire with discernment
(5) I am trusting the Godly counsel placed in my life ( 15:22- without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed)
(6) This decision requires bold faith in God and less self-reliance
Whole-life surrender…
(7) I am acknowledging Jesus Christ’s claim in every area of my life
(8) I am not knowingly living in unrepentant sin
(9) This decision will help me give God more glory though my life
(10) This decision will help me live more aligned with God’s Word
Enjoy Straight paths
(11) I am deciding on ____________
(12) I am moving forward with Christ and with confidence about my decision-making process
Seeking the will of the Living and Almighty God in a huge decision is more than a 12-point recipe or check-list. But, I believe this is a helpful check-list that is faithful to an important Biblical text on this topic. If you want to feel confident that you legitimately were seeking God in your decision-making process then this is a GREAT start. These steps have been helpful to me personally.
Remember that for us passionate disciples of Jesus… wisdom is more than a set of principles. Wisdom is a person with whom we are, by grace alone, in relationship with. The person is Jesus. Colossians 2:3– (In Christ are) hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Pastor Matt Schoolfield 
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