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Seek God first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV) The first question is, “What does God want?”
Pay attention to what is true. Jesus repeatedly says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:9 ESV) Good decisions require seeing reality rather than protecting our preferred story.
Look at the fruit. “You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16 ESV) Ask: If I choose this, what kind of person, relationship, community, and future will it produce?
Obey what you already know. Jesus doesn’t present discernment as endlessly searching for secret guidance. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:17 ESV)
Count the cost. “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him… Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:28–32 ESV) Faith isn’t impulsiveness.
Don’t let anxiety make the decision. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34 ESV) Matthew 6:25–34 is remarkably practical: don’t let tomorrow’s worries dominate today’s judgment.
Ask God for wisdom. “Ask, and it will be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7 ESV) And James makes the principle explicit: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.” (James 1:5–6 ESV)
Choose the way that produces life. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14 ESV) Jesus’ decision-making is about choosing the narrow way that leads to life, not comfort or certainty.