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Trustworthiness of God's Word in Decision Making

The trustworthiness of God's Word is a foundational concept in Christian decision-making, rooted in the belief that the Bible is God's infallible communication of His will to humanity [2]. This trustworthiness stems from the conviction that the Scriptures are "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [6]. As such, whatever the inspired writers declare to be true and binding, God Himself declares to be true and binding, making the Word free from error in fact, doctrine, or precept [2].

The Bible is referred to by various names that underscore its divine origin and authority, including "the Word," "the Word of God," "the Word of Christ," and "the Word of truth" [6]. Psalm 33:4 states, "For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is trustworthy" [9]. This uprightness and trustworthiness are not merely abstract qualities but are manifested in God's character, which is described as faithful, great, established, incomparable, unfailing, infinite, and everlasting [3]. This faithfulness of God provides the ultimate basis for the reliability of His Word [12].

The Word of God is not a static text but is described as "living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword" [8]. It possesses the power to penetrate deeply, "piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart" [8]. John Gill interprets this passage in Hebrews 4:12 as referring to Christ, the essential Word of God, who is omnipotent and omniscient, capable of discerning the secrets of human hearts [15]. Matthew Henry similarly notes that the Word of God discerns and judges the thoughts and intents of the heart, emphasizing that thoughts are under divine cognizance and command [14]. This discerning quality means that the Word can guide individuals in their decision-making by revealing their true motives and aligning them with God's will.

Decision-making in the Christian life is presented as a necessary aspect of serving God, with exhortations to make clear choices, such as seeking God with the heart, keeping His commandments, being on the Lord's side, and following Him fully [1]. This commitment is contrasted with a "divided service," "double-mindedness," or "halting between two opinions" [1]. The trustworthiness of God's Word provides the stability needed to avoid such indecision.

Faith, which is a persuasion of the mind that a statement is true, is intrinsically linked to trust [4]. The Word of God, being true and worthy of trust, is the object of this faith [4]. All saving knowledge is obtained from the Word of God [2]. This faith leads to assurance, which is produced by faith itself and confirmed by love, providing confidence in one's election, redemption, adoption, and salvation [5]. This assurance, grounded in the faithfulness of God's Word, empowers believers to make decisions with confidence.

The counsel of the Lord, which refers to God's eternal purposes and decrees, "standeth for ever" [11]. These counsels relate to all aspects of providence and grace, including the salvation of people through Jesus Christ [11, 13]. God's willingness to show the "immutability of his counsel" to the "heirs of promise" is underscored by His oath, demonstrating His unwavering commitment [13]. This immutability means that God's plans and promises, as revealed in His Word, are steadfast and reliable, offering a firm foundation for human choices.

The Word of God is considered "righteousness itself," the standard of righteousness that will determine one's everlasting state [10]. It is "true from the beginning," never failing those who have relied upon it [12]. This enduring truthfulness and righteousness make it a reliable guide for daily decisions, ensuring that choices align with God's eternal standards and purposes. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of insisting on "trustworthy" sayings, so that those who believe in God may be careful to engage in good deeds, which are beneficial for people [7]. This highlights the practical application of God's trustworthy Word in guiding ethical and moral decisions.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word of God — (Heb. 4:12, etc.). The Bible so called because the writers of its several books were God's organs in communicating his will to men. It is his "word," because he speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and binding upon us, God declares to be true and binding. This word is infallible, because written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept. (See [670]INSPIRATION; [671]BIBLE.) All saving knowledge is obtained from the word of God. In the case of ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Faithfulness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Isa 49:7; 1Co 1:9; 1Th 5:24. Declared to be Great. -- La 3:23. Established. -- Ps 89:2. Incomparable. -- Ps 89:8. Unfailing. -- Ps 89:33; 2Ti 2:13. Infinite. -- Ps 36:5. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:90; 146:6. Should be pleaded in prayer -- Ps 143:1. Should be proclaimed -- Ps 40:10; 89:1. Manifested In his counsels. -- Isa 25:1. In afflicting his saints. -- Ps 119:75. In fulfilling his promises. -- 1Ki 8:20; Ps 132:11; Mic 7:20; Heb 10:23. In keeping his covenant. -- De 7:9; Ps 111:5. In executing his judgments. -- Je”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
  6. 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”
  7. Titus “Titus 3:8 (LEB) — The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist concerning these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and beneficial for people.”
  8. Hebrews “For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. -- Hebrews 4:12”
  9. Psalms “Psalms 33:4 (BSB) — For the word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is trustworthy.”
  10. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:142: Observe, 1. That God's word is righteousness, and it is an everlasting righteousness. It is the rule of God's judgment, and it is consonant to his counsels from eternity and will direct his sentence for eternity. The word of God will judge us, it will judge us in righteousness, and by it our everlasting state will be determined. This should possess us with a very great reverence for the word of God that it is righteousness itself, the standard of righteousness, and it is everlasting in its rewards and punishments. 2. That God's word is a law, and that law is tr”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 33:11: The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever,.... By which are meant, not the doctrines of the Gospel, nor the ordinances of it; though these will stand firm, and remain to the end of the world; but the purposes and decrees of God, which are wisely formed in himself, are eternal and unfrustrable, and relate to all things in providence and grace. The Lord does all things according to the counsel of his will in the government of the world, and in the salvation of men: the choice of persons to everlasting life is according to it; and so are their redemption, effectual call”
  12. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:160: David here comforts himself with the faithfulness of God's word, for the encouragement of himself and others to rely upon it. 1. It has always been found faithful hitherto, and never failed any that ventured upon it; It is true from the beginning. Ever since God began to reveal himself to the children of men all he said was true and to be trusted. The church, from its beginning, was built upon this rock. It has not gained its validity by lapse of time, as many governments, whose best plea is prescription and long usage, Quod initio non valet, tractu temporis co”
  13. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:16: Wherein God, willing,.... Or "wherefore", as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it; that is, whereas an oath is used among men to confirm anything that might be doubted; therefore God, in condescension to the weakness of men, made use of one; being very desirous and determined, more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel; by which is meant, not the Gospel nor the ordinances of it, though these are sometimes called the counsel of God; but the decree of God, concerning the salvation of his people by Jesus Christ, which is im”
  14. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 12:5: Note, 1. The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and judges them. We mistake if we imagine that thoughts are free. No, they are under the divine cognizance, and therefore under the divine command. 2. We ought to be observers of the thoughts and intents of our own hearts, and to judge of ourselves by them; for they are the first-born of the soul, that have most of its image undisguised. Right thoughts are a righteous man's best evidences, as nothing more certainly proves a man wicked than wicked contrivances and designs. A good ma”
  15. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:11: For the word of God is quick and powerful,.... This is to be understood of Christ, the essential Word of God; for the Word of God was a known name of the Messiah among the Jews; See Gill on Joh 1:1 and therefore the apostle makes use of it when writing to them: and the words are introduced as a reason why care should be taken, that men fall not off from the Gospel, because Christ, the author, sum, and substance of it, is the living God, omnipotent and omniscient; for not a thing, but a person is spoken of, who is a Judge, and a critical discerner of the secrets of me”
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