Scripture-Based Decision Making in Christian Discernment
Christian discernment involves making decisions in alignment with God's will, with Scripture serving as the primary guide [1]. The Bible is understood as divinely inspired, given by the Holy Spirit, and sanctioned by Christ himself through his appeals to it [1]. It is referred to as the "Word of God," "Word of Christ," and "Holy Scriptures," emphasizing its authority and truthfulness [1].
Decision-making in the Christian life is presented as necessary for serving God, requiring wholehearted commitment [2]. This commitment is demonstrated by seeking God, keeping His commandments, and following Him fully [2]. Such diligence is required in various aspects of Christian conduct, including believing God, fearing Him, loving Him, and obeying Him [4, 5]. The Scriptures provide the framework for understanding what these actions entail.
The concept of "faith" is central to decision-making, as "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" [9]. This implies that decisions should not be made with doubt, but with conviction rooted in belief [9]. While some aspects of Christian belief may be open to differing interpretations without compromising fellowship, fundamental matters require adherence to scriptural teaching [9].
The Bible is not merely a historical document but a living word with judicial power [7]. It is described as "heart-searching" and capable of judging actions and intentions [7]. This judicial aspect means that individuals will be judged according to God's word, underscoring the importance of obedience [7, 10]. Disobedience to the word can lead to spiritual stumbling and judicial punishment [8].
Christians are exhorted to "search the scriptures" to find the path to eternal life, recognizing that Christ is the central message of their testimony [6]. This active engagement with Scripture is crucial for discernment, as it reveals God's purposes and guides believers in their conduct [1, 6]. The process of discernment also involves recognizing that some of God's plans, such as predestination, belong to "secret things" that are not fully revealed, and believers must trust in the revealed word as their guide [3].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:39: Search the scriptures, &c.--"In the Scriptures ye find your charter of eternal life; go search them then, and you will find that I am the Great Burden of their testimony; yet ye will not come to Me for that life eternal which you profess to find there, and of which they tell you I am the appointed Dispenser." (Compare Act 17:11-12). How touching and gracious are these last words! Observe here (1) The honor which Christ gives to the Scriptures, as a record which all have a right and are bound to search--the reverse of which the Church of Rome teaches; (2)”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:12: For--Such diligent striving (Heb 4:11) is incumbent on us FOR we have to do with a God whose "word" whereby we shall be judged, is heart-searching, and whose eyes are all-seeing (Heb 4:13). The qualities here attributed to the word of God, and the whole context, show that it is regarded in its JUDICIAL power, whereby it doomed the disobedient Israelites to exclusion from Canaan, and shall exclude unbelieving so-called Christians from the heavenly rest. The written Word of God is not the prominent thought here, though the passage is often quoted as if ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:8: stone of stumbling, &c.--quoted from Isa 8:14. Not merely they stumbled, in that their prejudices were offended; but their stumbling implies the judicial punishment of their reception of Messiah; they hurt themselves in stumbling over the corner-stone, as "stumble" means in Jer 13:16; Dan 11:19. at the word--rather, join "being disobedient to the word"; so Pe1 3:1; Pe1 4:17. whereunto--to penal stumbling; to the judicial punishment of their unbelief. See above. also--an additional thought; God's ordination; not that God ordains or appoints them t”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 14:23: And--rather, "But" he that doubteth is damned--On the word "damnation," see on Rom 13:2. if he eat, because he eateth not of faith--On the meaning of "faith" here, see on Rom 14:22. for whatsoever is not of faith is sin--a maxim of unspeakable importance in the Christian life. Note, (1) Some points in Christianity are unessential to Christian fellowship; so that though one may be in error upon them, he is not on that account to be excluded either from the communion of the Church or from the full confidence of those who have more light. This dis”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:17: Another ground of consolation to Christians. All must pass under the judgment of God; God's own household first, their chastisement being here, for which they should glorify Him as a proof of their membership in His family, and a pledge of their escape from the end of those whom the last judgment shall find disobedient to the Gospel. the time--Greek, "season," "fit time." judgment must begin at the house of God--the Church of living believers. Peter has in mind Eze 9:6; compare Amo 3:2; Jer 25:29. Judgment is already begun, the Gospel word, as a "”