by Elder Mike Chon

In the last article we saw how the culture of our day can sometimes influence our decision-making, causing us to look away from God and look to another source. One of the differences between someone that has a true biblical worldview and someone that doesn’t is how they begin to make their decisions. Someone without a biblical worldview begins with questions that start with themselves:

• “How is this going to impact my life?”
• “Will this decision help my family?”
• “Will this help me grow closer to God?”

At the heart of all these questions is a very self-centered view of the world. I have to pause at this moment to make an announcement that many of us have already heard before. “Life is not about you!” If you begin to make decisions based on you, then you become the fool that the book of Proverbs writes about (see last article). Those that have a true biblical worldview will begin their decision-making process by asking questions such as:

• “Does God’s Word have anything to say about this?”
• “How does God’s character impact how to make this decision?”
• “Will this decision consider others before myself?”

So how do we guard ourselves from becoming the fool that God warns about?

A fool, biblically speaking, is someone that has forsaken the true wisdom of God. Please understand, the Bible is not engaging in cheap name-calling here; rather it is describing someone who is rebellious, who refuses to use their reason in the way that God intended.  All unbelievers are considered fools because they have forsaken the wisdom of God, primarily in unbelief of the gospel and His Word. But for believers we sometimes act as a fool when we don’t consider God before we consider ourselves. For example, in Romans 12:1 it says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” How are we to “discern what the will of God” is? By the renewal of our mind. So to have a biblical worldview we must start with God’s Word which reveals to us who God is. First of all our mind needs to be renewed with a true understanding of the character of God which comes primarily through the Scriptures. Many times our view of God is incomplete and we allow the world to define God’s character for us which appeals to our sinful mind and heart.

For instance, God’s Word tells us that God is love. But how do we define love? There are so many misconceptions of love that when we describe God’s character to be love, many thoughts may come into mind. Please take time to listen to the audio messages from the 2010 All-Church Retreat to understand what it means that God is love. It may be surprisingly offensive.

God’s Word also describes God as being good. So does that mean that if something “bad” happens in this world or to us, then it must not be from God. But who defines something to be “good” and something to be “bad?” Many of us define the origin of our circumstances based on how we perceive something to be “good” or “bad.” If it is “good,” we will happily and enthusiastically attribute it to God and His goodness. If something is “bad,” it must be from Satan or the world, since a good God would never allow something like this to happen to me. So in our decision-making we pick the path of life that seems “good,” since God would only want us to enjoy our life and not have to suffer. Therefore, the path that seems “good” must be the path that follows God’s will for my life. He wouldn’t want me to pick the path that is more difficult or a path that may bring suffering to my life. Or does He? So how does Scripture define the goodness of God?

When we think of God being good we are not talking about good as opposed to God being bad; it is not related to something He does, but rather something He is. Biblically God’s goodness is related to Him being benevolent, that God is kind. And many times His goodness is related to God being patient in wanting men to repent (Romans 2:1-4). The word “good” in the Greek conveys the idea of being generous, merciful and kind. So when we think about the goodness of God, we can think of the kindness of God. Therefore, all our circumstances can be seen in light of God’s goodness. So when we look at decisions we make, and one choice appears to be more difficult, more inconvenient, the choice will cause us to suffer, is that a “bad” choice? Can we sing worship with David in Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life?” Do we trust that God is good and that His kindness and mercy will follow us like a shepherd? Are our decisions based on the fact that God’s goodness, His mercy, His kindness leads us to repentance and to know that the greatest good in our life is to put aside sin and put on holiness? Do you consider your relationship with God in your decision-making? Do you choose the decision that will help you be transformed more into God’s image or do you choose the one that is most convenient? The one that is logical? The one that will benefit you most in this life? Therefore understanding and trusting in the character of God will help us to make decisions that will truly honor and glorify God.

Only those that have repented of their sins and have been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can ever make decisions to know God’s will. If you are not saved, God’s goodness is extended to you in patience so that you have the opportunity to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:9). If you are not saved and continue in your unbelief you will never know, and will never be capable of knowing God’s will for your life. You will continue to live in this life as a fool who has rejected the true wisdom of God. For believers, we should never conform to this world by making decisions in our life that reflect the foolishness of this world and not the wisdom of God. Who do we consider first in our decisions, God or man? In the next article we will expose some of the common mistakes that we make in our decision-making process and consider that God does hold us responsible, not only to make wise decisions but also responsible in how we make those decisions.