Scripture exhorts us to “make the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). We’re also told that in order to do that we need to be wise, not unwise. Making the most of every opportunity requires the best use of our time and resources which in turn means we must make wise decisions. For that, we need help, which we can find in the Holy Spirit who will provide the needed guidance and wisdom in decision-making.
What Qualifies the Holy Spirit to be our Helper in Decision-Making
The Spirit who is with us and in us is called the Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:16-17) and also the Spirit of wisdom (Isa. 11:2; Eph. 1:17). As such, He is able to show us how to rightly and best apply Truth to the decisions we must make. That’s wisdom! As church leaders we’re responsible to align all we do with Truth. The Spirit helps us do that.
Not only is the Spirit qualified to provide the guidance and wisdom we need because of who He is but also because of His designated role which we read in the following verses:
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (Jn. 16:13)
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. (Col. 1:9-10a)
Come Under the Spirit’s Guidance and Wisdom in Decision-Making
We’re not only exhorted to make the most of every opportunity in Ephesians 5:15-16 but we’re also told how as we read on in the next couple of verses. The word “therefore” ties the verses together suggesting that the guidance and wisdom we need to make the best decisions come from being filled with the Spirit.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit … (Eph. 5:17-18)
We tend to make decisions in accordance with whatever controls us. For example, if we’re drunk with wine, we will come under its control and tend to make foolish and careless decisions. However, in contrast, when we’re filled with the Spirit, yielding to His authority as the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, which will always line up with the words of Jesus, we’ll make wise and careful decisions.
Though these verses use the example of being controlled by alcohol, the principle would stand for anything controlling us.
- If we’re controlled by our old human nature, we’ll tend to make decisions marked by selfish ambition, self-promotion, and self-protection rather than the glory of God and good of others.
- If we’re controlled by the opinions of others, we’ll tend to make decisions based on appearances to please people rather than putting the Lord’s will first.
- If we’re controlled by the ways of the world, we’ll tend to make decisions from a humanistic, temporal, and political vantage rather than through a God-centered, eternal, and Christ-like grid.
Surely we could say that decisions controlled by our old human nature, opinions of others, or ways of the world would fall under the foolish and careless decisions. — Let’s be very careful, then, to come under the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit so our decisions are those that wisely and carefully make the most of every opportunity.
For More: Resources on the Holy Spirit
All Posts about Decision-Making:
- Making Decisions That Line Up
- Decision-Making Questions for Lining Up
- If You Find Yourself Making All the Decisions
- Pluses & Minuses of Getting Others Involved in Decision Making
- Who Makes the Final Decision?
- Stifled in Decision-Making?
- Rushed Decisions
- Delayed Decisions
- Derailed Decisions
- Retrofitted Decisions
- Decisions Reveal Faith in God’s Power?
- Decisions You Don’t Have to Be Ashamed to Make
- Decisions Examined at Foot of the Cross
- Making Decisions from a Place of Humility
- Making Wise Decisions
- Making Decisions Void of Legalism
- Foolish Not to Pray
- Wisdom & Discernment Needed
- Decisions from a Renewed Mind
- Equipped for Making Good Decisions
- The Spirit Helps Us Make the Right Decisions, the Right Way
- The Spirit Provides Guidance and Wisdom in Decision-Making
- Decisions Worthy of Bearing His Name
- Strongholds Affecting Decision-Making
- How to Demolish Strongholds So We Make the Best Decisions
- Protection for the Decision-Making Process
- Decisions Made from Our Raised Position