Have you considered lately the importance of every decision you make every day? What does the Bible say about the proper way of making decisions? How can you be sure the choices you make are the best ones for your life?

Bible Gateway interviewed Alan Ehler (@alanehler) about his book, How to Make Big Decisions Wisely: A Biblical and Scientific Guide to Healthier Habits, Less Stress, A Better Career, and Much More (Zondervan, 2020).

How granular should people be intentional about the decisions they make every day?

Alan Ehler: My research discovered that our brains make millions of decisions a day without requiring conscious effort. Every breath and eye blink requires our brains’ actions. I believe God created us with this quick thinking, intuitive decision making ability so we could save the mental energy and time required for the bigger decisions that affect our future and that of the people we love and lead. Here are a few things to consider when discerning if a decision warrants intentional effort:

1) Have I encountered a similar situation in the past? If so, what was my decision then and what was the result like? If it came out well and this situation is similar, proceed as before. Like the old cliché says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, if it didn’t work well or this is a different situation, it’s worth the effort to work through an intentional decision making process.

2) What’s at stake? A simple decision like which restaurant to visit for dinner is not nearly as consequential as which job to take or which house to buy. There’s nothing wrong with pulling up your favorite app to help you decide where to eat, but the next day you’ll need to eat again and the previous day’s decision won’t matter too much anymore. A bad decision costs a lot more when there’s a lot involved.

3) Does everyone else involved agree? Intentionally working through a decision process can help a group or family find a better answer to a challenge they face. It can also bring greater acceptance of a possibly disagreeable issue.

What is your advice for people who say they don’t like to make decisions?

Alan Ehler: You’re deciding anyway when you choose not to decide. You give someone else control over your future. We’re responsible for our decisions. Like Joshua told the people of Israel as they moved into the Promised Land, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15 ESV) The rest of the Old Testament is the story of good things happening when they chose to follow God and bad things happening when they did not. Things have not changed for us today. Our decisions determine much of what will happen to us. Though that level of responsibility may be frightening, it’s an opportunity to be a part of seeing a better future than will come if we fail to decide.

What does the Bible say is the best way to make decisions?

Alan Ehler: The Bible gives several examples and principles for decision making. A key skill in making good decisions is wisdom. The book of Proverbs urges us to get wisdom (Prov. 4:5). James tells us to ask God for it (James 1:5). The Bible also gives many examples of God giving people specific and often supernatural direction, sometimes through visions, dreams, prophecy, or other types of revelation. However, the Holy Spirit gives these revelations when and how he chooses (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Although I believe God can and does continue to speak in these ways, the New Testament doesn’t demonstrate God always supernaturally telling those early Christians what to do nor should we expect that in our own lives.

Another important biblical principle is deciding together. Acts 15:1-13 shows the early church resolving a major disagreement by getting together, listening to each side’s perspective and backstory, consulting the Scriptures, working through the issue, and coming to an agreement they said, “Seemed good to us and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 15:28).

What are intuitive decisions and intentional decisions?

Alan Ehler: Intuitive decisions are usually quick. We often call this, “Going with my gut.” We decide based on an initial impulse rather than working through an intentional process. Intentional decision takes more time but can open many more—and often better—options than an intuitive decision.

What is Story Shaping and how is it used in making decisions?

Alan Ehler: Story Shaping is a biblical and scientific system for intentional decision making. I’ve studied biblical principles of decision making for more than 25 years and started researching decision science and related neuroscience while working on my doctorate 15 years ago. I found many principles in harmony on all sides, but I didn’t find a system for making decisions that integrated all of them. I compiled these concepts into a four-step process I’ve been using in graduate practical theology courses for seven years at Southeastern University. How to Make Big Decisions Wisely takes this model to a level that anyone can understand and put into use.

The four steps are 1) Read the Backstory, 2) Catch God’s Story, 3) Craft a New Story, and 4) Tell the New Story.

What is “catching God’s story” and how does it fit in to decision making?

Alan Ehler: After we complete the first step of reading the backstory, we should have a good understanding of the decision we face and we want to get out of the process. We want to next determine if God has anything to say about the decision before we interject our own thoughts and feelings. We go to the Bible first, since it’s God’s objective word for his people. If the Bible clearly addresses the issue, the decision is made. Should I cheat on my taxes? Romans 12:6 tells me I must pay all I owe. Should I love my wife? Ephesians 5:25 says I need to love her the same way Christ loves the church.

However, there are many decisions we face today that the Bible does not address. I want to always be open to God’s voice, however he may speak. Many times I’ve had an otherwise inexplicable and unshakable conviction I needed to do something. I think this is like Paul’s drive to return to Jerusalem in Acts 19:21 that he continued to state with conviction was God’s plan for him in spite of fears and pleas from Christians on the way who tried to talk him out of it (Acts 20:22 and 21:13-14). God can still give us direction through dreams and visions.

God also speaks through other Christians. Much of New Testament divine guidance came through other people. Even when Jesus blinded Paul on the road to Damascus, he didn’t give him his full mission until he sent Ananias to both restore Paul’s sight and complete his commission (Acts 9:6-18).

What is a favorite Bible passage of yours and why?

Alan Ehler: My life verse is 2 Timothy 1:7 — “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (NIV). It describes the ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives and removes any cause for timidity and fear. He gives us power—both in the supernatural sense of the Greek word dunamis but also the meaning of ability that word conveys. We can do this! Next, he gives us love. Ministry always needs to build up others. Arrogance has no place. The church is a community and love is its heart. Finally, sofronimos can convey both self-discipline in the sense of being ability to complete something important that may not be easy as well as a sound mind and its meaning of rational ability. Too many Christians want either just the supernatural power or just the rational sound mind, but the Holy Spirit gives us both, and I believe the best decision-makers give place to both.

What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App and Bible Audio App?

Alan Ehler: I use Bible Gateway every day, often many times a day. It’s the fastest and easiest way to search the Bible wherever I am. I love the huge range of translations in many languages, as well as the new resources you’re continually adding.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Alan Ehler: Thank you for giving me the chance to share and thank you for making God’s word so accessible for people all over the world!

How to Make Big Decisions Wisely is published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the parent company of Bible Gateway.

Bio: Dr. Alan Ehler is the Dean of Southeastern University’s Barnett College of Ministry and Theology, based in Lakeland, Florida. In that role, he oversees all of the ministry, Bible, and theology doctoral and graduate programs and the traditional ministry, Bible, theology, and missions undergraduate programs at the largest and fastest growing Pentecostal or Charismatic university in the nation. He also teaches regularly as professor of practical theology. Before coming to SEU, Alan taught at Northwest University near Seattle, served on staff at three different churches, and led Warm Beach Community Church (now Life Church 360) north of Seattle as lead pastor for over eight years. Alan was an active duty US Air Force officer for seven years as a civil engineer before entering full time ministry. Alan completed a doctor of ministry degree from Portland Seminary, masters of divinity equivalency work at Fuller Seminary and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, a master of arts in religion degree from Liberty University, and a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Zondervan (HarperCollins Publishing) released Alan’s book, How to Make Big Decisions Wisely, and its associated MasterLectures course in February 2020. Alan is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Alan and his wife Keira have two adult children (Hannah and Stephen) and enjoy bicycling.

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