Making Better Decisions

Every new year, I do not make resolutions, I make requisitions of and to God. This year one of several things I am asking the Lord for is His help in making better decisions.

I have observed, the heart drives many, if not most decisions. Heart here means an emotional response to whatever situation is presented.

The problem that arises is a disproportionate discernment. The emotional side within me or us is so biased that it seems to be the first to react and strongest to make it to our mouth or actions. The mind or rational side of us does not receive a fair opportunity at attacking the decision at-hand.

In Paul's letter to the believer's in Philippi, he wrote, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

However, the believer must read the verse before to observe the action that warrants such a blessing from God - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

With the heart covered in verse six, Paul grants solutions for the mind in verse eight - "whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

In fact, Paul spoke a lot about guarding the mind with God's help.

Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, also spoke to Satan's tricks - "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11) The word "schemes" translates to mind games.

The mention of mind games from the enemy should come as no surprise, so God's care in that realm should not surprise us either - The Helmet of Salvation is provided (Ephesians 6:17). This is a piece of the armor of God that when prayed for protects our thoughts. The helmet is also meant to keep our thoughts focused on God and His work of salvation in our lives - hence the name.

Paul challenges believers in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to "take every thought captive and make it obey Christ." Just taking every thought captive is a monumental task, but the more you practice the more you are made perfect by submitting those thoughts to Christ. 

Mr. Rick Renner qualifies the phrase "take every thought captive" by saying - "The words 'bringing into captivity' [KJV] are from the Greek word aichmalotidzo, which pictured a soldier who has captured an enemy and now leads him into captivity with the point of a sharpened spear thrust into the flesh in his back. The captured enemy knows that if he tries to move or get away, the Roman soldier will shove that spear clear through his torso and kill him. Therefore, this captive doesn't dare move but remain silent, submissive and non-resistant." (p.629, Sparkling Gems From the Greek)

Paul also challenges us to "set your mind on things above, not earthly things." (Colossians 3:2) I do not like the saying, "Do not be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good." I believe if we have the proper focus toward God and Heaven, He will help us take care of things below. If we are properly focused on God and things above, believers will automatically be earthly good.

Paul continues by saying being transformed into the image of Christ is a daily process that includes a constant renewal of our mind toward the things of God. God instructs through Paul - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."" (Romans 12:2) Being transformed by the renewing of your mind calls for a daily process of deliberate thought about God, but comes with the awesome benefit of knowing "his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Renewal is not a one-and-done deal. The word "renewing" translates to a total re-do, overhaul or renovation of one's thought life. Just as if you were re-doing or renovating a room in your house, so this is a daily renovation but on a constant basis to transform you more into the likeness of Christ.

So, imagine a beautiful throne, set in the middle of your mind, which controls tremendous power over your body, future, speech and actions. Many things have tried to sit in that chair of authority as Governor of your mind.

However, Paul narrows the choices down to two considerations - the flesh or rebellious nature as Governor, which would result in death of all kinds OR the Holy Spirit as Governor of your mind, which would result in life and peace. The actual passage in Romans 8:5-9 says this -

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you."

Now with The Governor of your mind secured as The Holy Spirit, hopefully I can persuade you to have Him do the same for your heart.

About our emotional side, Jesus said in Luke 6:45 - "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

Since Jesus is The Truth believers should fill their hearts to overflowing with the things of God so that our mouths are speaking these things of God. A strong defense for living this way in the effort to represent Christ better and to make better decisions is - to pray for the Breastplate of Righteousness and the Holy Spirit's guidance.

In Exodus 28:15, 29-30 - a breast-piece, representing all the tribes of Israel was created for the High Priest to be worn when making decisions. Even David called for the Ephod or breast-piece to acquire God's help in decision-making and received that assistance (1 Sam. 23:9-12 and 1 Sam. 30:7-8).

A better breastplate came along when Jesus visited, paid the price for our redemption with His life, secured our eternity with Him through victory over death, Hell and the grave - then deposited the Holy Spirit in those who accepted Him as their personal Savior.

Isaiah 59:17 and Ephesians 6:14 speaks to spiritually wearing this right-standing with God, purchased by Christ, as a breastplate covering the midsection of a soldier, the area of the heart or emotions. Is it no surprise then that Paul also calls this breastplate in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 - the breastplate of faith and love?

I pray every believer has allowed the Holy Spirit to daily sit enthroned upon their heart. If the believer will truly surrender his/her heart or emotions to the control of the Holy Spirit, then this breastplate will be an active part of Christian living. Yes, the breast-piece or breastplate is protection from incoming and outgoing emotional distress and responses, but believers must daily activate it through prayer - "Put on the full armor of God...(Eph. 6:11).

Solomon instructed with his Godly, inspired wisdom long before Christ arrived - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)

Therefore, a possible flow chart might be - from heart ➔ to mind ➔ to mouth/actions. Three questions arise from this flow -

1. Does the end result help?
2. Does the end result hinder?
3. Has the Holy Spirit been in the process since the beginning?

The answers to keeping a well-balanced emotional and rational self are 

1. to include and/or invite God into every single emotion and thought and 
2. allow His governance thereof.

These answers are also the same for Making Better Decisions.