15 Bible Verses for Guidance in Decision Making
Have you been praying about a big decision? Maybe you feel confused because you want to follow God but don’t have a clear sense of his direction. You are in the right place. Today, we’ll talk about making decisions with God and explore 15 Bible verses for guidance in decision making.
Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you follow God’s guidance.
15 Bible Verses for Guidance in Decision Making
Here is what God’s Word says about making decisions with God’s guidance.
Bible Verses for Guidance in Decision Making
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
2. Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
3. Colossians 3:1
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
4. Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
5. Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
6. John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
7. Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
8. Psalm 31:3
For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
9. Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
10. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
11. Matthew 7:7-11
12. Psalm 16:7-8
13. James 1:5-8
14. Psalm 143:8
15. Isaiah 48:17
Practical Applications of These Bible Verses for Decisions
A few years ago, I sensed God calling me to step out in faith and take a risk that was beyond my comfort zone. I didn’t feel equipped for the assignment. I wanted signs of God’s provision before I took the first step of faith.
After months of hesitation, I finally obeyed. The journey has had ups and downs, but at the end of each day, I’m thankful to fall asleep knowing I am doing my best to follow God.
My journey taught me the importance of asking four questions when making decisions with God. Let’s look at these questions together today.
Questions to Ask When Making Decisions With God
1. Does this decision align with God’s character in Scripture?
The first question to ask as you discern God’s direction is, “Does this decision align with everything I know about godly decision-making in the Bible?”
God will never lead you to do something that does not align with Scripture.
For example, you might feel like God is calling you to walk away from your marriage because you are in love with someone else. Everything in your heart might be telling you that this is the right move. However, God will not call you to disobey his Word.
When making decisions, I ask myself, “Is this decision consistent with God’s direction in the Bible?” If I’m not sure, I reach out to a pastor or more mature believer for advice.
2. Does this decision align with common sense and wisdom?
God gave us wisdom and common sense to help us make decisions.
He rarely calls us to make decisions that don’t align with wisdom and common sense.
If you don’t have wisdom in the matter you are dealing with, ask God to give you wisdom. He will answer your prayer and direct you. God wants you to walk in his will. He is not trying to trick you or asking you to read his mind.
He might use this time to draw you closer to him in a loving relationship; meanwhile, he wants to show you his will. Seek it with an open heart, and you will find it.
3. What does the most mature believer in my life have to say about this?
I’ve also learned the value of talking with people who have more wisdom, experience, and maturity than me.
Often, insight from those who are wiser than us can greatly help us in making decisions with God.
4. Can I give this decision time to settle and see if it still seems to be from God?
I’ve also learned that rushing into decisions often leads me to miss God’s direction.
At times, I’ve had ideas that felt like exciting steps of faith. I’ve been ready to quit my job, buy a new house, or launch a new ministry. However, after giving these ideas room to breathe, within a few months, they lost their steam. I realized I was not hearing from the Lord. I simply had a good idea and felt excited about it.
(Join me here for three reasons we often miss God’s voice.)
Making decisions with God goes best when we give these decisions time. I have a three-month rule on major decisions. Whenever possible, I give major decisions three months before moving forward. This isn’t always possible, but whenever possible, I often discover that God reveals himself over time. It’s important to remember that God is never in a hurry.
Final Thoughts on Making Decisions With God
Is Jesus calling you to step out in faith and follow him into any new situations, ministries, or ventures in your life? Test your impression with the Bible, wisdom, common sense, more mature believers, and time.
If you sense Jesus is directing you, ask him to show you the first step, and take that step today. If you are uncertain, give your idea space to breathe, and trust Jesus to guide you when the time is right.
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As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 14, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or grandparents to read with the children they care about.
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength is for boys ages 5-13. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to courageously carry God’s love into the world. Written with input from our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven, this book will help the boys you care about find courage and strength in God. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Devotionals for Girls
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
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