2. Making the Hard Decisions Easier

3. Why are decisions so hard? But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 NASB)

4. Why are decisions so hard? Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14 NASB)

5. What is the most important decision? "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NASB)

6. Making the Hard Decisions Easier Make your decision now to serve God – it makes all other decisions easier

7. The Bible gives some lists of sins: So we know these things are wrong Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB) However, even in this lists of sins, you have to define words and apply them properly

8. Many things are not inherently sinful – yet they may not be the right thing or the best thing to do Which university should I choose? Which university should I choose? Should I take this job offer? Should I take this job offer? Am I eating too much? Am I eating too much? Should I take part in this event or hobby? Should I take part in this event or hobby? Should I watch this movie? Should I watch this movie? What should I wear? What is modest? What should I wear? What is modest? How do we make decisions about such things? How do we make decisions about such things?

9. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit?

10. (1)Is it EXPEDIENT for my spiritual benefit? Is it profitable? All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB) “All things” means those things that are not inherently sinful. Just because a thing is not a listed sin, does not mean it is expedient or to my advantage to do it.

11. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? Does it Enslave me? Does it Enslave me?

12. (2) Does it Enslave me? Do I allow it to become my master? All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB) We should never let something that is not immoral, not sinful, become our master

13. Many things are not inherently sinful – But do I become their slave? Many become a slave to God’s created things! Many become a slave to God’s created things! Many become a slave to the inventions of men Many become a slave to the inventions of men

14. Many things are not inherently sinful – But do I become their slave? And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:23-27 NASB)

15. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? Does it Enslave me? Does it Enslave me? Does it Edify, build me up or tear me down? Does it Edify, build me up or tear me down?

16. (3) Does it Edify me? Does it build me up or make me a better person? All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB) “Edify” is a word that is used to describe “building a house”. Many ways to build a house. But in building a house, does our decisions make it stronger, more attractive, or longer lasting, and serve its purpose?

17. (3) Does it Edify me? Does it build me up or make me a better person? "Everything is permissible"-- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-- but not everything is constructive. (1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV) “Edify” is a word that is used to describe “building a house”. Many ways to build a house. But in building a house, does our decisions make it stronger, more attractive, or longer lasting, and serve its purpose?

18. (3) Does it Edify me? Does it build me up or make me a better person? Will it make me stronger? Will it make me stronger? Will it cultivate self-control? Will it cultivate self-control? Will it make me more fruitful? Will it make me more fruitful? Will it move me to be more like Jesus? Will it move me to be more like Jesus? Will it move me toward spiritual maturity? Will it move me toward spiritual maturity? All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB)

19. (3) Does it Edify me? A word to the young …. You have a long life and a short life Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove vexation from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; (Ecclesiastes 11:9 - 12:2 NASB)

20. (3) Does it Edify me? Does it build me up or make me a better person? Does it give only short term pleasure? Does it give only short term pleasure? Or does it strengthen me for the long term? Or does it strengthen me for the long term? Does it prepare me for a career or make me fall behind? Does it prepare me for a career or make me fall behind? Does it destroy my health, or will it help to give me a long life? Does it destroy my health, or will it help to give me a long life? All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB)

21. Bible Principles For Making Good Decisions Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? Is it Expedient for my spiritual benefit? Does it Enslave me? Does it Enslave me? Does it Edify, build me up or tear me down? Does it Edify, build me up or tear me down? Does it Edify others? Does it Edify others?

22. (4) Does it Edify others? My choices do affect others! All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NASB)

23. Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. (1 Corinthians 8:1-6 NASB) The Weak need to grow in Knowledge, the Strong need to grow in love

24. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:7-13 NASB) Don’t be slave to a law system (Galatians), but serve your brother, not the flesh (5:13)

25. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:7-13 NASB) Don’t be slave to a law system (Galatians), but serve your brother, not the flesh (5:13) For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13 NASB)