Principles for Decision Making (Part 2)

Principle of Evasion

Would what I am doing unnecessarily subject me to temptation? Temptation will come to everyone.  This is true because Paul declares in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and if we have sinned we must first have been tempted. We know that sin is born when desire has conceived, and these unregulated desires give way to temptation (Jam. 1:14-15). John writes “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:8). It is important to notice, however, that we have the free will to choose not to sin when we are tempted. In fact, God makes sure no one is tempted beyond that which one can handle. First Corinthians 10:13 shows Paul explaining that with temptation, God will make a way of escape in order to bear it. That is, a way of not to give in to sin. Although God makes this escape, we must prepare for that spiritual battle and “make no provisions for the flesh” (Rom. 13:14). Simply put, it means do not give place to sin.

Principle of Priority

Would what I am about to do keep me from putting God first? This is a very simple and yet important question. Jesus states in Mark 12:30 that we must love God with ALL of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The promise of God is that if we seek Him and His kingdom first, then He will provide for us (Matt. 6:33). Luke 14:26 gives the strong warning that we must love Christ more than family, friends, and everything else in this world in order to follow Him. Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” The point is that we must put the things of God first and hold them as most important. If we do anything that causes us to put God on the back-burner, we fail Him. Do not let leisure time, games, work, or even family get ahead of faithful service to God. Take up the cross by sacrificing (giving up) the desires of this world every day (Lk. 9:23). If one does something that causes one to put God second, third, or fifteenth in life, then one must try to avoid that situation.

Principle of Prayer

Could I thank God and ask Him to bless what I am about to do? First Thessalonians 5:17, in the middle of one of Paul’s admonitions, gives an interesting command: “pray without ceasing.”  This does not mean to pray 24/7 nonstop, but is referring to a life of constant prayer and praying anytime that one can. Luke 18:1 has Jesus teaching a parable that men should not lose heart and continuously pray. Romans 12:12 admonishes us to continue steadfastly in prayer. Another admonition comes from Philippians 4:6, which tells us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” If one cannot thank God for something one is about to do or ask Him to bless it, then is it something that should be done? We must all avoid participating in things that we would be ashamed to pray about. 

Principle of Presence

Would I do this with Jesus? That is, if Christ were physically present, would I invite Him to join in with me? Would I be ashamed if He saw? If He knew? The fact is that Christ does see and know. The end of the Book of Matthew records Christ saying, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). “For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecc. 12:14).  Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Christ lives in us. Our hope of glory is Christ in us (Col. 1:27)! If what one is about to do is something that one would not do with Christ, or something one would not want Christ to see or know about, then it must not be done.

Conclusion

These are seven simple, general principles for daily living. The Principle of Doubt, Principle of Influence, Principle of Secrecy, Principle of Evasion, Principle of Priority, Principle of Prayer, and the Principle of Presence can all be helpful for situations where we may not know what to do. We will close with thinking about the grace of God. Titus 2:11-14 states “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.