How Do We Make Decisions When God Hasn't Given Us a Specific Answer? Study #8:

[David]

Have you ever prayed about something and still didn't know what to do? Maybe you were thinking about changing jobs, moving somewhere, making a big purchase, or dealing with a family problem. You prayed about it, asked God to guide you, and maybe even searched the Bible for an answer. But after all that, you still weren't sure what to do.

I think most of us have been there at one time or another. We want to do what's right in God's eyes, but sometimes the answer isn't as clear as we'd like it to be.

In our last study, we talked about whether God speaks to us when we pray and how we can know it's Him. That brings us to another question I've been thinking about. What happens when we've prayed about something, looked at what Scripture says, and still have two choices in front of us that both seem perfectly acceptable?

Are we supposed to keep waiting until God somehow tells us which one to choose? Or has He already given us what we need to make that decision?

God Has Already Told Us a Lot About His Will​

Sometimes I think we get so caught up in trying to figure out what God wants us to do next that we forget how much He's already told us in His Word.

For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication."

And in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we're told, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Those are pretty clear instructions. We don't have to wonder whether God wants us to live holy lives, forgive others, tell the truth, or love our neighbors. He's already told us.

But suppose you're offered two different jobs. Both are honest work, neither one would require you to do anything sinful, and both would provide for your family. One pays a little more, but the other would give you more time at home.

Now what?

You can search the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but you're not going to find a verse telling you which company to work for.

That doesn't mean God has left you without help. It means we need to understand the difference between what God has specifically commanded and the decisions He expects us to make using the wisdom He's given us.

Sometimes What We Need Is Wisdom​

James 1:5 gives us a wonderful promise:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

I really like that verse because God knows we don't have all the answers. He knows there will be times when we aren't sure what to do.

But notice something. James tells us to ask for wisdom. He doesn't say God will give us a private message every time we have a decision to make.

There's a difference.

Wisdom helps us take what we've learned from God's Word and apply it to the situations we're facing. It helps us think about our responsibilities, consider the consequences, and make decisions that agree with what God has already revealed.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

I've heard those verses quoted many times, and rightly so. But trusting God doesn't mean we're supposed to stop thinking or refuse to examine the facts. It means we don't put our own understanding above His Word.

If Scripture tells us something is wrong, we don't get to make it right simply because we feel good about doing it.

On the other hand, when Scripture hasn't forbidden either choice, we can use the wisdom God gives us without pretending we received a special message from heaven.

There's Nothing Wrong With Asking Someone for Advice​

I don't know about you, but I've found that sometimes another person can see something I've completely overlooked.

Maybe they've been through a similar situation or have experience in an area where I don't know very much. There's nothing wrong with listening to what they have to say.

Proverbs 15:22 tells us:

"Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."

That's good advice right there.

But we also need to be careful. Just because another Christian tells us what they think God wants us to do doesn't mean they're speaking for God.

I've heard people say things like, "The Lord told me you should do this," or "God showed me you're supposed to go there."

Well, where does that leave us if we can't find anything in Scripture supporting what they're saying?

We should certainly listen to good advice, but we need to remember that someone's personal opinion doesn't carry the same authority as God's Word.

Acts 17:11 tells us that the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to see whether the things they were hearing were true. That's a good example for us to follow.

What About Asking God for a Sign?​

Now here's something I think is worth talking about.

Have you ever heard someone say they asked God for a sign to help them make a decision?

Maybe they prayed that if God wanted them to take a certain job, the company would call them by Friday. Or perhaps they asked God to make something unusual happen so they would know what to do.

People sometimes point to Gideon in Judges 6 as an example of this.

But when we read that account carefully, we discover that God had already told Gideon what He wanted him to do. Gideon wasn't trying to decide between two ordinary choices. He was asking for confirmation of something God had already spoken to him.

And there's something else we need to remember. Just because the Bible records something someone did doesn't necessarily mean God is telling us to do the same thing.

Jesus said in Matthew 4:7, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

We need to be careful about setting up our own conditions and then expecting God to meet them.

I'm not saying God can't work through circumstances. Of course He can. But we shouldn't automatically assume every open door is a message from God or that every closed door means He doesn't want us going in that direction.

Sometimes things just don't work out the way we expected.

And sometimes the right decision turns out to be a difficult one.

What If We Make the Wrong Choice?​

I think this is where a lot of Christians struggle, and I can understand why.

We want to please the Lord, and nobody wants to make a decision they'll regret later.

But I've heard people talk as though God has one particular job, one particular house, or one particular opportunity picked out for them, and if they choose something else, they've somehow missed His will for their entire life.

Where does Scripture actually teach us that?

We need to be careful not to create fears that God's Word hasn't given us.

Think about the apostle Paul for a moment. In 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, he said:

"But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

That's interesting, isn't it? Paul recognized a great opportunity for ministry, but he also said there were many adversaries.

He didn't assume that opposition meant he was in the wrong place.

And when Paul talked about his future plans in 1 Corinthians 16:7, he said he hoped to spend some time with the Corinthians, "if the Lord permit."

I think there's a lot we can learn from that.

Paul made plans. He considered opportunities. He made decisions. But he also understood that the Lord was ultimately in control.

James 4:15 tells us much the same thing:

"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

We can make plans without pretending we know exactly what tomorrow holds.

And if things don't work out the way we expected, that doesn't automatically mean we sinned by making the decision.

Sometimes We Just Have to Make a Decision​

Let's go back to those two job offers we talked about earlier.

You've prayed about them. You've looked at what Scripture teaches about work, family responsibilities, honesty, and providing for your household. Maybe you've talked it over with your spouse and listened to some good advice.

Both jobs still look like reasonable choices.

Do you have to keep waiting until something unusual happens?

I don't see anywhere in Scripture that tells us we must do that.

There may come a point when we simply need to make the wisest decision we can and trust the Lord with what happens next.

Psalm 37:5 says:

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

That doesn't mean everything will always work out the way we hoped. Anyone who's lived very long knows that isn't how life always goes.

But we can trust God even when we don't know what's coming.

And I think it's perfectly fine for a Christian to say, "I've prayed about this, I've looked at what the Bible teaches, and I believe this is the best decision I can make."

We don't need to add, "God told me to do it," when He hasn't actually said that in Scripture.

There's a big difference between trusting God with a decision and claiming God personally revealed which decision to make.

One More Thing I Think We Need to Remember​

Before we get too concerned about whether we're making the right choice about a job, a house, or some other decision, maybe we should ask ourselves a more important question.

Are we putting the Lord first in our lives?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

In that passage, Jesus was talking about people worrying over the things they needed in everyday life. He was teaching them to trust their heavenly Father rather than spend their lives worrying about tomorrow.

I think that's something we all need to remember.

It's easy to get so wrapped up in trying to figure out what tomorrow holds that we neglect what God has already told us to do today.

If we're walking in obedience to His Word, asking for wisdom, and honestly trying to make good decisions, we don't need to live in fear every time we have a choice to make.

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we do know the One who does.

Let's Talk About It​

I'm curious how others here look at this.

Have you ever prayed about a decision and kept waiting because you weren't sure what God wanted you to do? Maybe you were looking for a sign, a feeling, or something to happen that would make the answer obvious.

Looking back, do you think you needed a specific answer from God, or did you already have enough guidance from Scripture to make a wise decision?

I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on this because I believe it's something just about every Christian faces sooner or later.

And as we continue our Prayer Bible Study, there's another question I want us to look at next.

Study #9: What Does It Really Mean to Pray in Jesus' Name?

We often end our prayers with the words "in Jesus' name." But is that simply something we're supposed to say at the end of a prayer, or was Jesus teaching us something more when He told His disciples to ask in His name?

We'll take a closer look at what Scripture actually says in our next study.

 

[bobinfaith]

Have you ever prayed about something and still didn't know what to do? Maybe you were thinking about changing jobs, moving somewhere, making a big purchase, or dealing with a family problem. You prayed about it, asked God to guide you, and maybe even searched the Bible for an answer. But after all that, you still weren't sure what to do. I think most of us have been there at one time or another. We want to do what's right in God's eyes, but sometimes the answer isn't as clear as we'd like it to be. In our last study, we talked about whether God speaks to us when we pray and how we can know it's Him. That brings us to another question I've been thinking about. What happens when we've prayed about something, looked at what Scripture says, and still have two choices in front of us that both seem perfectly acceptable? Are we supposed to keep waiting until God somehow tells us which one to choose? Or has He already given us what we need to make that decision?

God Has Already Told Us a Lot About His Will
Sometimes I think we get so caught up in trying to figure out what God wants us to do next that we forget how much He's already told us in His Word.

For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication."

And in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we're told, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Those are pretty clear instructions. We don't have to wonder whether God wants us to live holy lives, forgive others, tell the truth, or love our neighbors. He's already told us.

But suppose you're offered two different jobs. Both are honest work, neither one would require you to do anything sinful, and both would provide for your family. One pays a little more, but the other would give you more time at home.

Now what?

You can search the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but you're not going to find a verse telling you which company to work for.

That doesn't mean God has left you without help. It means we need to understand the difference between what God has specifically commanded and the decisions He expects us to make using the wisdom He's given us.

Sometimes What We Need Is Wisdom
James 1:5 gives us a wonderful promise:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

I really like that verse because God knows we don't have all the answers. He knows there will be times when we aren't sure what to do.

But notice something. James tells us to ask for wisdom. He doesn't say God will give us a private message every time we have a decision to make.

There's a difference.

Wisdom helps us take what we've learned from God's Word and apply it to the situations we're facing. It helps us think about our responsibilities, consider the consequences, and make decisions that agree with what God has already revealed.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

I've heard those verses quoted many times, and rightly so. But trusting God doesn't mean we're supposed to stop thinking or refuse to examine the facts. It means we don't put our own understanding above His Word.

If Scripture tells us something is wrong, we don't get to make it right simply because we feel good about doing it.

On the other hand, when Scripture hasn't forbidden either choice, we can use the wisdom God gives us without pretending we received a special message from heaven.

There's Nothing Wrong With Asking Someone for Advice
I don't know about you, but I've found that sometimes another person can see something I've completely overlooked.

Maybe they've been through a similar situation or have experience in an area where I don't know very much. There's nothing wrong with listening to what they have to say.

Proverbs 15:22 tells us:

"Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."

That's good advice right there.

But we also need to be careful. Just because another Christian tells us what they think God wants us to do doesn't mean they're speaking for God.

I've heard people say things like, "The Lord told me you should do this," or "God showed me you're supposed to go there."

Well, where does that leave us if we can't find anything in Scripture supporting what they're saying?

We should certainly listen to good advice, but we need to remember that someone's personal opinion doesn't carry the same authority as God's Word.

Acts 17:11 tells us that the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to see whether the things they were hearing were true. That's a good example for us to follow.

What About Asking God for a Sign?
Now here's something I think is worth talking about.

Have you ever heard someone say they asked God for a sign to help them make a decision?

Maybe they prayed that if God wanted them to take a certain job, the company would call them by Friday. Or perhaps they asked God to make something unusual happen so they would know what to do.

People sometimes point to Gideon in Judges 6 as an example of this.

But when we read that account carefully, we discover that God had already told Gideon what He wanted him to do. Gideon wasn't trying to decide between two ordinary choices. He was asking for confirmation of something God had already spoken to him.

And there's something else we need to remember. Just because the Bible records something someone did doesn't necessarily mean God is telling us to do the same thing.

Jesus said in Matthew 4:7, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

We need to be careful about setting up our own conditions and then expecting God to meet them.

I'm not saying God can't work through circumstances. Of course He can. But we shouldn't automatically assume every open door is a message from God or that every closed door means He doesn't want us going in that direction.

Sometimes things just don't work out the way we expected.

And sometimes the right decision turns out to be a difficult one.

What If We Make the Wrong Choice?
I think this is where a lot of Christians struggle, and I can understand why.

We want to please the Lord, and nobody wants to make a decision they'll regret later.

But I've heard people talk as though God has one particular job, one particular house, or one particular opportunity picked out for them, and if they choose something else, they've somehow missed His will for their entire life.

Where does Scripture actually teach us that?

We need to be careful not to create fears that God's Word hasn't given us.

Think about the apostle Paul for a moment. In 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, he said:

"But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

That's interesting, isn't it? Paul recognized a great opportunity for ministry, but he also said there were many adversaries.

He didn't assume that opposition meant he was in the wrong place.

And when Paul talked about his future plans in 1 Corinthians 16:7, he said he hoped to spend some time with the Corinthians, "if the Lord permit."

I think there's a lot we can learn from that.

Paul made plans. He considered opportunities. He made decisions. But he also understood that the Lord was ultimately in control.

James 4:15 tells us much the same thing:

"For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

We can make plans without pretending we know exactly what tomorrow holds.

And if things don't work out the way we expected, that doesn't automatically mean we sinned by making the decision.

Sometimes We Just Have to Make a Decision
Let's go back to those two job offers we talked about earlier.

You've prayed about them. You've looked at what Scripture teaches about work, family responsibilities, honesty, and providing for your household. Maybe you've talked it over with your spouse and listened to some good advice.

Both jobs still look like reasonable choices.

Do you have to keep waiting until something unusual happens?

I don't see anywhere in Scripture that tells us we must do that.

There may come a point when we simply need to make the wisest decision we can and trust the Lord with what happens next.

Psalm 37:5 says:

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."

That doesn't mean everything will always work out the way we hoped. Anyone who's lived very long knows that isn't how life always goes.

But we can trust God even when we don't know what's coming.

And I think it's perfectly fine for a Christian to say, "I've prayed about this, I've looked at what the Bible teaches, and I believe this is the best decision I can make."

We don't need to add, "God told me to do it," when He hasn't actually said that in Scripture.

There's a big difference between trusting God with a decision and claiming God personally revealed which decision to make.

One More Thing I Think We Need to Remember
Before we get too concerned about whether we're making the right choice about a job, a house, or some other decision, maybe we should ask ourselves a more important question.

Are we putting the Lord first in our lives?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

In that passage, Jesus was talking about people worrying over the things they needed in everyday life. He was teaching them to trust their heavenly Father rather than spend their lives worrying about tomorrow.

I think that's something we all need to remember.

It's easy to get so wrapped up in trying to figure out what tomorrow holds that we neglect what God has already told us to do today.

If we're walking in obedience to His Word, asking for wisdom, and honestly trying to make good decisions, we don't need to live in fear every time we have a choice to make.

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we do know the One who does.

Let's Talk About It
I'm curious how others here look at this.

Have you ever prayed about a decision and kept waiting because you weren't sure what God wanted you to do? Maybe you were looking for a sign, a feeling, or something to happen that would make the answer obvious.

Looking back, do you think you needed a specific answer from God, or did you already have enough guidance from Scripture to make a wise decision?

I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on this because I believe it's something just about every Christian faces sooner or later.

And as we continue our Prayer Bible Study, there's another question I want us to look at next.

Study #9: What Does It Really Mean to Pray in Jesus' Name?

We often end our prayers with the words "in Jesus' name." But is that simply something we're supposed to say at the end of a prayer, or was Jesus teaching us something more when He told His disciples to ask in His name?

We'll take a closer look at what Scripture actually says in our next study.

Hello David;

This is an excellent OP, for all who walk daily with Jesus will cross these situations. I've experience them. I'll choose what comes to mind and that was when we relocated to a new city and work history. You wrote in the opening, "Are we supposed to keep waiting until God somehow tells us which one to choose?"

For me, if I kept waiting for God's answer in the 8 points you shared, without wisdom and discernment I would fail to see that God had already answered. Sure, there is a time when to be still and it's normal to worry about failing, going in the wrong direction, the what if's? and other reasons to hold off taking that step in faith. That's our first mistake but God understands and works in each of us.

In 1988 when we moved from San Diego we prayed about relocating to Boulder, Colorado, Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota or the San Francisco Bay Area. We chose the Bay Area and instantly I regretted it and asked my wife if we could give it a year and then move back to San Diego. My mind was already made up. Early in our faith we didn't understand the concept of ministry for Christ is the people business.

The diversity of people in the Bay Area compared to San Diego was a huge adjustment. I didn't like it.

In the job market my wife was blessed in the medical administration field and stayed gainfully employed until she retired end of 2022. I was never fulfilled in the accounting field. The money and job opportunities were there but I was always giving my two week notice, would change jobs from one company to another because the grass seemed greener, for awhile. I was fired from 3 good companies that I can remember. After awhile it began to affect my self esteem and confidence. What I failed to see was God was always there and blessed me with a new job, renewed chances.

In 2006 we purchased a second home in Arizona with plans to move there when we retired. Houses were extremely inexpensive compared to California but the job pay was not comparable, not even close. I stayed in Arizona to get our house settled. When we closed escrow I had an open resume in San Francisco at a major hospital. My thinking we could afford both homes. But when I flew to the interview, got the job it only lasted one month. I was fired. It felt devastating.

Again, it affected my self esteem and confidence. Why couldn't I be like other people who were very happy where they lived and content with their long standing job? During those 8 years the thought of ministry didn't even come to mind.

After time the 8 points in this topic began to sink in. I started seeking counsel from my Dad, professionals in the work field, my new Pastor, and instead of merely asking questions, we would have long talks about my struggles.

One of the areas they taught me was asking for wisdom and discernment when we face unfamiliar territories in life and when we make our prayer requests to God.

In James 1:2-8, 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. - ESV

In James 4:2-3, 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. - ESV
Our requests cannot be made to God, making it "about us." Wisdom and discernment is vital so we ask God in alignment to His Will.

The Scriptures in Matthew 4 remind me of the temptations, struggles and mountains we face as God moves us in the direction leading to His Will in our requests. We will face obstacles and mountains along the way thinking this is not God's Will for us and our requests. In our requests we must include trust and humility toward God.

None of these transformations happened over night. Slowly but surely God was maturing and building me for His glory.

More to come later.

God bless everyone.

Bob