How to Discern What is the Good or Right Thing to Do (Part 6)

James Hassell   -   January 29, 2024

This article will be the last in our series about discerning the good and right thing to do. Even though decision-making can be complicated and complex at times, we have a wonderful Lord who gives us both guidance and tools for discernment. Remember, when we face dark times or can’t see what is ahead of us, Jesus is the Light!

For this article, let’s simply put together the information from the past six articles into easy-to-process statements. Then, I’ll leave you with some biblically-based questions that will help to focus what we have learned and guide you in your daily decision-making.

So, what have we learned?

  1. Making decisions can be tough, but God doesn’t leave us on our own! Doing the right thing is not a matter of chance or resigning to fate.
  2. There are popular—but unbiblical—ways of making decisions. These popular paths include naturalism (“Eat, drink, and be merry!”), Stoicism (“It is what it is.”), and monism (“There is one universal truth out there somewhere, and if found, then you will have the good life.”). These popular ways are unable to deal with our sin and have little to do with faith.
  3. Good decision-making starts with God, not with a legalistic command! We are to orbit around him. When we are in relationship with God through Christ, we will understand better what we are to do. The starting question for decisions is not, “What should I do,” but “What is God doing, and how do I respond to Him?”
  4. Three tools help us understand what God is doing around us and our response: goals, duties, and virtues. A goal is a finish line, or that towards which we aim. A duty is that which I am under obligation to do, no matter what. A virtue is an ingrained, Spirit-led habit.
  5. We apply goals, duties, and virtues in three ways: limiting, finding common ground, and formation. Limiting is suspending self-interest in the interests of our neighbors. Finding common ground means that we relate to others as persons, not as means to our ends. Formation means putting our unique gifts and personality to work for the Kingdom of God in daily decision-making.

Here then are some questions that will align these five teachings into cohesive, action items for your daily life in following Christ. These questions come from the great Baptist ethicist, T.B. Maston:

  1. What is the effect of my decision on me as an individual?
  2. How will my participation in this activity/decision impact those around me?
  3. What is the impact of my participation in this activity/decision on the cause of Christ?
  4. Would it be all right with me if everyone was doing what I’m doing?
  5. Have I prayed about this?
  6. Would Jesus do what I am deciding to do?

I hope this series has been enlightening and helpful! May God bless you in your daily decisions.