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Seven Rules to Right Decisions
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Seven Rules to Right Decisions

Life is a series of decisions leading to success or failure. How would you like to be able to make the right decision EVERY TIME. Learn how, in this vital article that can change your life.

   HOW many times has your life, your happiness, your self-respect been upset and disturbed because you've made a wrong choice, or an unwise decision?
   Looking back on our past all of us can remember choices we had or opportunities that presented themselves — and we wish we could go back and CHANGE what we did.
   How would you like to be able to make the right choice — EVERY TIME? You can, you know, if you apply the right principles EVERY TIME! The principles for making right and wise decisions are available to you. If you are willing to diligently apply them each time, YOUR LIFE can become a series of successes in the decisions you have to make.
   Are you willing to learn these principles?

Life Is Choice

   Life is a series of decisions.
   You can't begin a day without making choices. What time to rise, what clothing to wear, what to have for breakfast, what course of action for the responsibilities of the day, etc., etc.
   The majority of our decisions are routine and dictated by routine and preset requirements of job, school, weather and environment. Most of us do well enough in these routine decisions. It is the bigger, more unusual decisions that affect our lives where we become vulnerable and need to make the RIGHT decision. Decisions like: Whether to buy a new car and which kind — whether to quit your job and move to another area — whether to go into business for yourself — whether to add a room to your house or buy new furniture — whether to go to college, or take a trip to a distant place.
   Sadly enough, many have faced major decisions in life, chosen unwisely and found their lives in a shambles which took time and tears to remedy.
   Making wise decisions is not a matter of chance. Some people are not just "lucky" while others are unlucky. Success in choices depends on basic factors. Those who are "lucky" have their luck in accidentally or intentionally using the right principles in making their choices.
   If you KNOW the right principles and apply them, you eliminate most of the elements of chance. Success is assured because you have eliminated the risks.

The Right Source

   Most people, faced with important decisions make the same fundamental ERROR! This error is common to man because man is basically a self -centered creature. He usually depends on himself for the inherent ability to arrive at a conclusion.
   The Word of God — the Bible — which is the book about man, but inspired by man's Creator — God — who knows man intimately, most accurately describes this basic fault in man.
   "Oh Lord, I know that the way of man is NOT IN HIMSELF: it is NOT IN MAN that walketh to direct his steps." These words were written, under the inspiration of God by His prophet Jeremiah, chapter 10 verse 23. The fundamental, underlying basis for making right decisions lies OUTSIDE the pole of the man making the decision. This seems remarkable, but it is nonetheless true.
   Whenever we have a decision to make, the first thing we usually do is to ASSUME WE have the basic ability to come to that decision. In reality, God's Word makes clear we ought NOT to rely upon our own abilities alone. True, we may have to use the abilities God has given us, but directed by God — not ourselves.
   "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto thine OWN understanding" (Prov. 3:5).
   Wisdom is truly realizing the basic nature in man. Few people have discovered this basic nature. Most people feel they are benign creatures, basically good, gentle, having outgoing concern for others, generous, kind, and considerate. Hence, being all this, they certainly could be relied upon to make a decision which would take all factors into consideration. But, unless God's spirit has opened their minds most people don't know they are inherently by nature selfish, covetous, greedy, full of vanity, deceitful, proud and wicked.
   It is true, you know.
   "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:" and "the carnal mind is enmity AGAINST GOD: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be" (Jer. 17:9 and Rom. 8:7).
   Those who have come to know God have learned this about themselves and have come to the first point of wisdom which is NOT to depend on this source for a decision.
   Leaning to this source for a decision will ALWAYS tend to lead us to a WRONG DECISION. This source of wisdom will always tend to a decision or a choice that flatters self, looks good to others, makes the "big splash," satisfies lust or exacts revenge.
   Truly the Proverbs describe this end: "There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12 and 16:25).

Rule One: Ask God FIRST For His Wisdom

   So, the first rule in the SEVEN RULES to wise decisions is to GO OUTSIDE of self to God to get the wisdom.
   Any other first step would be foolish. God alone knows just the right course of action you should take! No one else does! He should be the first source.
   You will have other steps to follow, but unless they are guided by God they may avail you nothing. In fact following all six other rules could lead you to ruin without God directing them.
   "... the Lord is a God of knowledge and by HIM actions are weighed" (I Sam. 2:3).
   When you are confronted with an important decision in your life, go to a private place and pray to your Father in heaven. Tell him about your decision — how it affects you, what are the alternatives that lie before you. Admit to him in prayer that you LACK the ability and wisdom you need and want His omniscient help and wisdom.
   "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it [wisdom] shall be given him" (James 1:5).
   Admit in your prayer that without God's help you would tend to choose the course of vanity, lust, pride, envy and retribution. Tell Him you want HIS mind and attitude — an attitude of service, concern for others, love, patience and mercy.
   If the decision is profound enough, add fasting to your prayers so God sees that you truly care and want to be guided by Him.

Solomon an Example

   When Solomon became King of Israel after his father David, he knew he was faced with many momentous decisions. The responsibility of ruling a mighty nation and making all the decisions that are part of being a monarch weighed heavily upon him.
   What was the first thing Solomon did? His actions are an EXAMPLE for us — recorded in the Word of God. "And Solomon said unto God, Thou has shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead... for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can JUDGE [decide for] this thy people, that is so GREAT?" (II Chron. 1:8-10). Because Solomon sought God FIRST and acknowledged Him as the source of RIGHT DIRECTION, God granted him wisdom and knowledge to make right decisions and choices. God blessed him and the nation Israel over which he ruled (verses 11:17).
   No matter how large or small a decision we have to make, we should always go to God FIRST and acknowledge Him as the source of direction, wisdom and knowledge to make the right choice.
   Even if we must make a quick — rapid-fire — decision, we always have time — even if it is only an instant — to pray within ourselves, "Father, help me to see Your will."

Rule Two: Get Examples From the Bible

   "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His LAW [the Bible] doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and WHATSOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER" (Psalm 1:1-3).
   The Bible — God's Word — is an instruction book for man and a history of man's mistakes, successes, rewards and punishments. It runs the full gamut of human experience.
   In the Old Testament, when God was bringing Israel out of Egypt, the people had to make many decisions. Some were right — many were wrong! These examples are priceless in helping us avoid making similar mistakes in decisions we must reach.
   Some of the wrong decisions which led to disaster for the people are recorded a second time in I Corinthians in the 10th chapter. Notice what the apostle Paul says about these occurrences: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR ADMONITION, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (verse 11).
   By a deep knowledge of God's Word — through constant study and meditation — we have a backlog of experience to draw upon. We certainly can profit by the mistakes others have made, and also from their wise decisions.
   Seek in your knowledge of God's Word, or by meditating further on it, to find a basic principle that relates clearly to your choice or decision. Try to determine how your reasoning may be similar to a specific example in God's Word.

Jesus's Example

   Jesus, under severe temptation from Satan to make a wrong decision, knew this principle well. When the Tempter sought to entice Jesus to choose immediate world rule — showed him alluring world kingdoms to tempt Him — Jesus said: "IT IS WRITTEN, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Jesus also said twice more "IT IS WRITTEN!"
   We should follow His example!
   Jesus knew God's Word. He drew heavily upon it to make His choices.
   The unjust judges of this world follow this principle even if their choices may be wrong. No judge presiding over a court case ever comes to a decision without knowing the decisions that have been rendered previously in similar cases. Lawyers always rehearse previous court cases for what has happened in the past.
   We have literally hundreds of "court cases" upon which God has rendered His verdict — IN THE BIBLE. Yet far too many of us neglect to seek that knowledge from God's Word and apply it to our decisions. Far too many of us just do not know God's Word well enough! Therefore we make wrong decisions on points for which there are direct examples in the Word of God.
   Your best insurance to guiding your steps through your changing pattern of life is a deep and profound knowledge of God's Word.
   "Thy Word is a LAMP unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Rule Three: Get all the Pertinent Facts

   In most decisions you will have time to carefully consider all the factors. Too many times when a decision needs to be made we "leap before we look." This is another universal error most people make — they don't take enough time to consider all the facts!
   Basic "high-pressure" salesmanship is designed around this human weakness and natural human lust. Ninety percent of purchases made are "impulse buying." People go "shopping" without a factual study of the type, quality, price, performance and need factors already clearly defined. Therefore they are prime targets for the fast talking line of the high-pressure salesman — and in HIS backyard — where his glittering gadgets have you spellbound.
   Not that we're specifically talking about decisions on buying, but it is an excellent thing to remember that the item you are tempted to buy will still be there tomorrow or the next day or next week. Only your desire to HAVE IT makes you feel like you must get it NOW. The salesman knows that too.
   One key which will save you many headaches and pocketbook pains is learning to "wait 24 hours" — especially in reference to impulse buying. Every salesman knows a person is most apt to buy on the spur of the moment after he has been pushed "off balance" by his basic desire to possess plus the strong "pitch" he has just been given. But if you will say, "I'll think it over" — leave the store — go home and wait until tomorrow — most likely many factors will come to you which you were unable to consider under the pressure of the moment.
   This key also applies to any choice you have to make. We are always "off balance" until we have carefully weighed ALL the facts.
   Whatever time you have before you must decide, use it to weigh carefully all the alternatives that lie before you and the costs or actions they demand.
   It is always good to accumulate a written list of all the pros and cons. It will serve two purposes. One: you won't forget the unpleasant aspects which we are so often prone to nullify or treat lightly. Two: it will force you to take the time to consider the factors in detail, which, again, we are usually reluctant to do.
   Be sure you get the FACTS. Don't be satisfied with guesses and assumptions. If there are FACTS to get, get them. It's your life!

Rule Four: Seek Wise and Abundant Counsel

   In getting the facts, we should again remember not always to lean to our own knowledge of the subject. We should seek those who have the most accurate information relative to our choice.
   Let us suppose you are considering a change from one area of the country to another. This involves a change of job — change of home — change of school for children — change of climate change of cost of living — and many, many other things. A wise decision cannot be reached without learning what these factors are like in the new area. One way to learn these facts is to ask or counsel with someone who is an AUTHORITY on these factors in the new area.
   In every case seek wise counsel from a reputable authority or sources you can rely on. Don't rely on backyard advice or "water-cooler wisdom" for a decision in your life.
   Don't be satisfied with one opinion only! A primary principle from God's Word shows us to seek wise counsel: "WHERE NO COUNSEL is, the people fall: but in the MULTITUDE OF COUNSELORS THERE IS SAFETY" (Prov. 11:14).
   Many times we feel it is a sign of weakness to ask for help and opinions. This is again vanity mid self-centeredness.
   Even in the largest corporations the wisest executives seek out advisors and counselors to help them make wise decisions.

Rule Five: Make a Definite Decision

   In applying the preceding rules, we will have come to the place where we are ready to make a definite decision: Now is the time!
   We have asked God for wisdom and direction; we have searched His Word for examples and lessons. We have gathered and weighed all the facts and eventualities. We have sought authorities, wise and abundant counselors. The choice or decision should now be CLEAR.
   Make that decision DECISIVELY — POSITIVELY!
   Don't vacillate! Don't waver!
   Again God's Word gives us the example. "For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed... A double minded man is UNSTABLE in all his ways" (James 1:6, 8).
   This brings us to the sixth rule.

Rule Six: Have Faith in the Decision

   Faith is one of the most powerful forces we can employ to cause circumstances to turn out right. Once we have come to a decision based on God's principles we can have FAITH it will work out correctly.
   We should EXPECT our choice — to turn out RIGHT and GOOD. We can have ABSOLUTE FAITH that it will!
   "Faith is the substance of things {or conclusions} HOPED FOR, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Believing is now our part! The whole eleventh chapter of Hebrews is a testimony of those who made choices and decisions in their lives toward an ultimate goal and they attained them THROUGH FAITH!
   Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, ALL THINGS are possible to him that BELIEVETH"! (Mark 9:23).
   Trust your decision. Trust the God who led you to it. Believe it will turn out as planned. Expect it to! HAVE FAITH.

Rule Seven: Work Diligently for the Desired End

   The last rule is where many fall down. The right conclusion to a decision is NOT AUTOMATIC! We must go all out to bring the desired end to reality.
   In the course of obtaining all the facts and getting wise and abundant counsel we will have discovered many things' to DO!
   Now that we have made our choice and have faith that it will work out, we need to roll up our sleeves and GET TO WORK!
   Another basic principle from God's Word will help. Wise Solomon learned from God: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, DO IT WITH THY MIGHT" (Eccl. 9:10).
   Here is where many of us fail. We do not diligently and systematically go step-by-step through every phase of effort toward the desired goal!
   Resolve, in every choice or decision, to thoroughly and judiciously Do YOUR PART.
   There is never a time in YOUR LIFE when you can afford to NEGLECT these principles.
   Write them down on a card and carry them with you. Learn them — make them a part of you. Put them into practice in YOUR life.

         
Publication Date: 1969
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