“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (PROV. 9:10).
1. What do we all have to do, and why is it not always easy?
Making decisions is part of our lives, but not all of them are easy. We are often faced with decisions that can affect our relationship with Jehovah, our family, and our happiness. The key is to prioritize what pleases God. Romans 12:1, 2 teaches us that we must offer our lives to Jehovah as a living sacrifice, which implies that our decisions must reflect his will. Therefore, to make good decisions, it is essential to study the Bible, pray, and seek advice from mature brothers. It will not always be easy, but when we put Jehovah first, He gives us wisdom and strength to choose what is right.
2. What steps will help you make good decisions?
To make decisions that please Jehovah, we must follow three fundamental steps.
1. Collect information.
2. Analyze what Jehovah says.
3. Weigh the options.
Sometimes we might act quickly due to emotions or external pressure, but these steps help us be more thoughtful and make decisions with good judgment.
KNOW ALL THE INFORMATION
3. Explain with an example why it is necessary to know all the information before making a decision.
Knowledge is essential to make correct decisions. A doctor does not prescribe a medication without knowing the diagnosis, as it could put the patient's life at risk. The same goes for our spiritual and personal decisions: if we don't make sure we understand the situation well, we can take a wrong path. Applying this principle, when we face an important decision, we must pray, research the Bible and consult reliable sources. By doing so, we strengthen our capacity for discernment and avoid negative consequences.
4. According to Proverbs 18:13, how can you make sure you know all the information? (See also images).
To avoid hasty decisions, the Bible teaches us to be prudent and seek all the information before acting. Proverbs 18:13 reminds us that responding without knowing the facts is reckless. In the context of social gatherings, this means that before accepting an invitation, it is essential to ask questions to evaluate the situation. In addition to asking questions, we should reflect on whether a decision will affect our spirituality. Calmly analyzing the details and asking for advice will help us make decisions that please Jehovah and benefit us in the long term.
ILLUSTRATION
A young brother asks his friends about a party invitation that arrived on their phones.
Learn all the information by asking questions. (See paragraph 4).
5. What should you do once you know all the information?
Making wise decisions involves more than just knowing the facts; It also requires analyzing the consequences. Seeing the big picture helps us make decisions aligned with our faith. For example, if we discover that an event may lead us into an inappropriate environment or cause us to neglect our spiritual responsibilities, we must ask ourselves: What will this decision make? Will it strengthen or weaken my relationship with Jehovah? Jesus, in Matthew 6:33, taught that we must seek first the kingdom of God, which means that our choices must reflect our spiritual priorities.
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT JEHOVAH THINKS
6. According to James 1:5, why should we ask Jehovah to help us?
Jehovah wants us to turn to Him when we need guidance. James 1:5 guarantees us that if we ask Him for wisdom in faith, He will give it to us without reproach. This wisdom not only helps us make good decisions, but also allows us to see things as He sees them. Therefore, asking Jehovah for help gives us peace of mind and confidence to make decisions that honor him.
7. How can you know what Jehovah thinks? Give an example.
To know what Jehovah thinks about a matter, we must listen for his response after praying. This means searching the Bible and literature for principles and standards that relate to our situation. The example in the paragraph illustrates this point well: if someone got lost and asked for directions, they would not leave without hearing the answer. Similarly, after asking Jehovah for help, we should listen to his response by searching his word. If we want to know Jehovah's opinion on a matter, we must compare our options with his principles. Doing this shows that we trust his direction and want to do his will.
8. What can you do if you need help finding the information you are looking for? (See also the image).
Sometimes when we are not sure how to proceed, it is helpful to talk to a brother or sister who has experience. They can give us valuable perspective. However, we must do our own research. Instead of relying solely on others, we should take the initiative to delve deeper into the study tools that are at our disposal. Our publications contain principles and examples that will guide us. Additionally, by studying personally, we can strengthen our understanding and make decisions that align with Jehovah’s will.
ILLUSTRATION
The young brother in the previous image reading lesson 35 of the book “Enjoy life”.
Consider what Jehovah thinks. (See paragraph 8). b
9. How can we be sure that our decision pleases Jehovah? (Ephesians 5:17).
Knowing Jehovah is not just superficial knowledge, but a deep understanding of his personality, principles and purposes. When we know what pleases Him and what He doesn't, our decisions reflect that understanding. Ephesians 5:17 encourages us to be wise in understanding what Jehovah's will is, which means that we should take time to study and reflect on what He teaches. Furthermore, as we deepen our relationship with Jehovah through prayer, Bible study, and meditation, our ability to make wise decisions improves.
10. Why are biblical principles more important to us than family traditions or local customs?
The decision to put biblical principles above family traditions or local customs may be difficult, but it is vital to maintaining a strong relationship with Jehovah. Family traditions or local customs may be influenced by material priorities, such as stability or social position. However, what Jehovah values most is our devotion to Him and our willingness to do His will. The verse in Matthew 6:33 reminds us that, although we must honor our parents and be respectful of our community, the priority must always be the Kingdom of God. This does not mean dishonoring the family, but rather putting Jehovah first in our decisions.
WEIGH THE OPTIONS
11. According to Philippians 1:9, 10, what quality will help you weigh your options?
After analyzing the biblical principles related to a decision, it is necessary to weigh the options with discernment. Philippians 1:9, 10 mention that our love must grow in knowledge and full discernment so that we can choose the best. This quality helps us anticipate the results of each alternative and make wise decisions, even in complex situations. Some decisions may be clear and easy, but in others we will need to reflect more deeply to ensure that our choice is in harmony with Jehovah's principles.
12, 13. How can discernment help you make a good decision about work?
When a person searches for a job, they may encounter several attractive options in terms of salary and type of work. However, discernment allows us to analyze beyond the obvious and consider spiritual and family aspects. For example, we should ask ourselves if work hours would prevent us from attending meetings or if employment would take away time from strengthening our relationship with Jehovah and caring for our family.
The Bible encourages us to put our worship of Jehovah first, which means that we must carefully weigh our options and choose employment that will allow us to fulfill our spiritual and family responsibilities rather than prioritizing material gains.
14. How will discernment and love help us not cause others to stumble?
Discernment allows us to analyze whether our decisions may cause problems for others, inside or outside the congregation. This is especially important in personal matters, such as dress and appearance. Even if something seems acceptable to us, we must reflect on whether it might be offensive or inappropriate to others. Philippians 1:10 reminds us to avoid anything that causes others to stumble. Furthermore, Christian love motivates us to seek the well-being of others before our personal preferences. Being modest in our way of dressing and behaving is a sign of respect and love toward our brothers and toward Jehovah.
15. What should you think about before making an important decision?
Making an important decision requires careful planning. Jesus taught in Luke 14:28 that before undertaking something significant, we must calculate the expenses, which implies analyzing the time, resources and effort necessary to carry it out. Additionally, in many cases it is prudent to talk to the family to get their opinion and evaluate how they can collaborate. Doing this not only helps identify possible adjustments to the decision, but also fosters unity and support within the home. As Proverbs 15:22 says, “when there is no communication, plans fail, but with many counselors good results are achieved.”
MAKE A DECISION THAT WORKS WELL
16. What steps should you take to make your decision go well? (See also the sidebar “How to make good decisions.”)
After following the mentioned steps, a person is ready to make a wise decision. It is crucial to know all the relevant information and analyze biblical principles to ensure that the choice will please Jehovah. Additionally, it is essential to ask him in prayer to bless the decision and guide the process. In the box we find three essential steps to make good decisions.
1. Know all the information, asking questions and seeing the whole picture.
2. Consider what Jehovah thinks through prayer and meditation on biblical principles.
3. Weigh the options, using discernment to anticipate consequences and evaluate what is needed to carry out the decision.
17. What is the key to making good decisions?
Even if we have made good decisions in the past, we should not rely solely on our intelligence or experience. The key to making good decisions is to rely on Jehovah's wisdom, since only He can give us true knowledge, understanding, and discernment, which are essential to wisdom. By following His guidance, we will make decisions that please Him and that benefit our spiritual lives. As we see in Psalm 23:2, 3, Jehovah can guide us along the best path and give us peace of mind in our decisions.
HOW DO THESE BIBLICAL TEXTS HELP YOU MAKE GOOD DECISIONS?
Proverbs 18:13
Proverbs 18:13 teaches that it is wise to listen to all information before responding. This helps us analyze the options well and avoid hasty decisions.
Ephesians 5:17
Ephesians 5:17 encourages us to understand what Jehovah's will is. By meditating on biblical principles, we can make decisions that please Him.
Philippians 1:9, 10
Philippians 1:9, 10 shows that love and discernment help us evaluate our options and choose the best in each situation.
Comments
Post a Comment