The scientific community states that people make approximately 35,000 decisions daily. This means individuals are constantly processing information or instinctively determining what to do. Making decisions instinctively often reflects our feelings, personal reasoning, or speculations based on what we have encountered. Either way, these decisions determine each person’s course of action. Because of the significance of these decisions, 2 Corinthians 10:5 reads: “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, …., whenever your obedience is complete.” (NASU) Furthermore, Paul warns Timothy: “But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels… if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” (2 Tim. 2:23- 26; NASU)
Making decisions based solely on our own understanding is prohibited by God (Prov. 3:5). If we persist in doing so, Ephesians 4:17-20 teaches that we become darkened in our understanding, no longer moved by the Holy Spirit (excluded from the life of God, vs. 18), ignorant, hard hearted, calloused, while practicing various forms of impurity and greed. Therefore, when we speculate apart from God’s truth, Satan can influence our thinking. Leaning on our own understanding can deteriorate our spiritual development and lead us toward carnality (1 Cor. 3:1-3).
A sound decision-making process requires knowledge; therefore, it is essential that we begin by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). Paul prayed: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.” (Phil. 1:9-10; NASU)
Making a decisive decision to determinatively transform ones’ mind to the teachings of Christ takes place when a believer (Luke 6:45) seeks the Lord with all their hearts (Luke 12:31), with a commitment to obey His Word (Hebr. 5:14). Our obedience matures us not to just comprehend the scriptures but also inspires us to be discerning (Phil. 1:9-11). This provides guaranteed success because God’s Word does not return void (Isa. 55:11. As we walk by faith (Rom. 10:17), we experience blessings on earth (Hebr. 11:6) and eternal reward in heaven (2 Tim. 4:7-8). This biblical decision-making process protects us from making mistakes (2 Peter. 3, 9-11), guides us to walk in the light as He is in the light (Ps. 119:105; Eph. 5:8), and empowers us not to be defeated by Satan (Eph. 6:17; Hebr. 4:12; 1 John 2:14) or overwhelmed by life’s circumstances (Phil. 4:8-9). In this way, this keeps us sober-minded no matter what impacts our lives (1 Peter 5:8).