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Decision Making by the Book: How to Choose Wisely in an Age of Options
It's said that decisions are made in the details. And yet, we make hundreds, even thousands of decisions daily. So how do Christians process all those details and come up with answers that please God? Author, lecturer, and radio personality, Haddon W. Robinson, takes his usual clear-eyed, not-a-word-wasted approach, helping us make decisions according to biblical principles—every time.
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1991
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132 people want to read
About the author
Haddon W. Robinson
53 books40 followersHaddon W. Robinson (PhD, University of Illinois) was the Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching and senior director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He authored numerous books, including It's All in How You Tell It and Making a Difference in Preaching.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 21, 2024
I think this is the first time I’ve felt compelled to rate a textbook I’ve read for class, but this really surprised me. It was assigned for my Career and Lifestyle Development Counseling class and I would absolutely recommend this to Christian clients and really to anyone who wants biblical guidance on making decisions. I finished this feeling that we tend to over-complicate godly decision making and this perspective simplified it in a really helpful, relieving way.
June 28, 2024
Clarifying, convicting, and demystifying, moves the position of the Christian from passivity to taking responsibility and exercising free will to make choices under God’s moral will. I liked how the book opened with comparing how many other religions have a practice of trying to predict the future, in comparison to the Bible. I appreciated the literary allusions, especially to Toffler’s 1970 work Future Shock.
I do think there’s a danger to swing too far the other way too though (maybe from misguided reading) because many Christians I’ve known and read do pray specifically for the will of God in a situation and find conviction for a decision. I liked that the author mentions you can ask God for wisdom (60) and to decide on a timeline for a decision. I think he could’ve had a section on praying for a decision or made that a little more clear.
‘The question we should ask is no longer, ‘What is God’s will?’ Instead, the question is, ‘How do I make good decisions?’’ 49
Alternatively, 'How do we develop the skills necessary to make wise and prudent choices?' 55
More quotes/notes:
‘In Alice in Wonderland, Alice comes to a crossroads and doesn’t know which road to take. The Cheshire cat asks, ‘Well, where are you going?’ ‘I don’t know,’ Alice replies. ‘Well, if you don’t know where you’re going,’ the cat wisely answers, any road will do very nicely.’ If our lives are not repeatedly dedicated to the glory of God, then any choice we make is as good— or as bad— as the next.’ 41
'We are arrogant...if we act as though we know what will happen next in life. We may think that we're the master of our fate, the captain of our soul, or that we will carry out our plans. But we may be in for a terrible surprise.' 57 (James 4:13-16)
'Wisdom in biblical thought is...intellectual and moral...Wisdom doesn't mean easy answers. The wisdom James described isn't like the one-minute television commercial promising to solve all our dishwashing problems if we buy a certain brand of soap. Wisdom is a moral and a mental state of the heart and mind.' 60
‘A good pilot must have a healthy fear of gravity… similar to our living in submission to God’s sovereign will. Ultimately, whether or not we choose to accept it, God’s will wins out.’ 65
'...a good pilot must do more than merely respect the law of gravity. A good pilot follows the principles learned from other pilots. He or she must keep the plane straight and level, must avoid stalling the engine. These things help to ensure that the pilot gets the plane to the desired destination safely. The way in which pilots obey these principles of aviation is similar to the way in which all of us must observe the moral will of God, and make our decisions in submission to that moral will. God's moral will is the abundant counsel of God that is given to us in the Scriptures.' 65
'We should not come to the Bible for confirmation of what we've already decided; instead, we must come to gain God's insight into each decision so that we can make it wisely...Most cults and heresies quote the Bible. We can go to hell with a Bible in our hand...We must come to this book determined to submit to its teachings.' 67
'[Jehoshaphat] was suspicious, like the modern cynic who says, 'Well, if you get four hundred preachers all agreeing on something, probably only one of them is thinking and the other three-hundred-ninety-nine are saying 'Amen.'' 68 (1 Kings 22)
'The Bible tells us again and again that love is the motive key to fulfilling God's will.' 74
‘The philosopher Immanuel Kant read Jesus’ words and dismissed them as impossible. ‘You cannot command love,’ he said. And he was right, if Jesus were about an emotional love… Jesus was saying that when we deal with anyone, whether friend or foe, we are to seek that person’s highest good’ 76 (Phil 2:4, 1 Cor. 10:24)
‘Circumstances aren’t like big tea leaves that reveal the hidden will of God, but circumstances often do outline for us the boundaries of our decision’ 99
‘…I am not saying that God does not work in and through our circumstances…But we’re not always aware of how God is working. And the fact that God is at work in our lives doesn’t remove our ever present responsibility to make decisions.’ 103
'Many of the decisions we make have spiritual implications...A myriad of voices in our culture gives us counsel that is not God's counsel. The psalmist says that we are not to walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the mockers (Psalm 1:1). I do not think it's wises to accept the counsel of a talk-show host who has been married three times on how to have a good marriage. Newspaper columnists are fun to read but we shouldn't take their counsel seriously as the basis for our important choices. But God says we are wise to turn for advice to people who know the Scriptures and know how to bring them to bear on our decisions.' 113
Seeking Godly Counsel:
1. Biblical Counsel
2. Experienced Counsel
3. Best Available Counsel ('I have never understood a concept that continues to make the rounds in our country; it's something called, 'The Christian Yellow Pages.' Could it be that a Christian repairs television sets better than a non-Christian? Does a Christian barber give better haircuts than a non-Christian? If we're looking for an auto mechanic, isn't it better to find one who can fix cars, rather than one whose sole claim to our business is that he has a daily quiet time?' 115)
General principles:
1. Avoid Moods
2. Separate Facts from Problems ('I've discovered that often, as we look at problems and questions, we waste a great deal of emotional energy trying to change the facts of life.' 130)
3. Go for It ('...a second-best decision, diligently pursued, will beat a first-best decision lackadaisically pursued...most decisions that don't have strong moral implications are 55/45 decisions...The pursuit of the decision may be more important than the decision itself.' 131)
4. Set a Time Limit
Decision danger-zones:
1. Not knowing where you're going ('...beginning without deciding where you want to go or how to get there' 136)
a. What exactly is the decision I have to make?
b. How should a decision like this one be made?
c. Should I involve other people?
d. How important is this decision anyhow?
e. Do I have to make this decision at all?
f. Do I need other perspectives to balance my biases or limitations?
2. Answering the wrong question ('...if you ask, 'How can I know the will of God in this decision?' then you may approach the issue with your mind set on signs or impressions...On the other hand, if you frame your question, 'How can I make a wise decision that honors God?' you ask a question that focuses on the process. How you frame your question, therefore, determines the information and advice you will seek.' 138)
3. Not being sure of what you don't know
4. Avoiding disagreement
5. Using yesterday's battle plans ('Change doesn't necessarily meane moral rot, but it does demand that we consider new strategies...' 146, also see groupthink )
6. Misreading the lessons of experience (evaluate others' counsel, get multiple counsels)
7. Assuming that decisions stay made
8. Believing in feeling (systematic process > intuition)
'The sovereign God has made us people, not puppets. We have His Word to guide us, His love to redeem us, and His assurance to make us capable to make choice choices.' 151
I do think there’s a danger to swing too far the other way too though (maybe from misguided reading) because many Christians I’ve known and read do pray specifically for the will of God in a situation and find conviction for a decision. I liked that the author mentions you can ask God for wisdom (60) and to decide on a timeline for a decision. I think he could’ve had a section on praying for a decision or made that a little more clear.
‘The question we should ask is no longer, ‘What is God’s will?’ Instead, the question is, ‘How do I make good decisions?’’ 49
Alternatively, 'How do we develop the skills necessary to make wise and prudent choices?' 55
More quotes/notes:
‘In Alice in Wonderland, Alice comes to a crossroads and doesn’t know which road to take. The Cheshire cat asks, ‘Well, where are you going?’ ‘I don’t know,’ Alice replies. ‘Well, if you don’t know where you’re going,’ the cat wisely answers, any road will do very nicely.’ If our lives are not repeatedly dedicated to the glory of God, then any choice we make is as good— or as bad— as the next.’ 41
'We are arrogant...if we act as though we know what will happen next in life. We may think that we're the master of our fate, the captain of our soul, or that we will carry out our plans. But we may be in for a terrible surprise.' 57 (James 4:13-16)
'Wisdom in biblical thought is...intellectual and moral...Wisdom doesn't mean easy answers. The wisdom James described isn't like the one-minute television commercial promising to solve all our dishwashing problems if we buy a certain brand of soap. Wisdom is a moral and a mental state of the heart and mind.' 60
‘A good pilot must have a healthy fear of gravity… similar to our living in submission to God’s sovereign will. Ultimately, whether or not we choose to accept it, God’s will wins out.’ 65
'...a good pilot must do more than merely respect the law of gravity. A good pilot follows the principles learned from other pilots. He or she must keep the plane straight and level, must avoid stalling the engine. These things help to ensure that the pilot gets the plane to the desired destination safely. The way in which pilots obey these principles of aviation is similar to the way in which all of us must observe the moral will of God, and make our decisions in submission to that moral will. God's moral will is the abundant counsel of God that is given to us in the Scriptures.' 65
'We should not come to the Bible for confirmation of what we've already decided; instead, we must come to gain God's insight into each decision so that we can make it wisely...Most cults and heresies quote the Bible. We can go to hell with a Bible in our hand...We must come to this book determined to submit to its teachings.' 67
'[Jehoshaphat] was suspicious, like the modern cynic who says, 'Well, if you get four hundred preachers all agreeing on something, probably only one of them is thinking and the other three-hundred-ninety-nine are saying 'Amen.'' 68 (1 Kings 22)
'The Bible tells us again and again that love is the motive key to fulfilling God's will.' 74
‘The philosopher Immanuel Kant read Jesus’ words and dismissed them as impossible. ‘You cannot command love,’ he said. And he was right, if Jesus were about an emotional love… Jesus was saying that when we deal with anyone, whether friend or foe, we are to seek that person’s highest good’ 76 (Phil 2:4, 1 Cor. 10:24)
‘Circumstances aren’t like big tea leaves that reveal the hidden will of God, but circumstances often do outline for us the boundaries of our decision’ 99
‘…I am not saying that God does not work in and through our circumstances…But we’re not always aware of how God is working. And the fact that God is at work in our lives doesn’t remove our ever present responsibility to make decisions.’ 103
'Many of the decisions we make have spiritual implications...A myriad of voices in our culture gives us counsel that is not God's counsel. The psalmist says that we are not to walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the mockers (Psalm 1:1). I do not think it's wises to accept the counsel of a talk-show host who has been married three times on how to have a good marriage. Newspaper columnists are fun to read but we shouldn't take their counsel seriously as the basis for our important choices. But God says we are wise to turn for advice to people who know the Scriptures and know how to bring them to bear on our decisions.' 113
Seeking Godly Counsel:
1. Biblical Counsel
2. Experienced Counsel
3. Best Available Counsel ('I have never understood a concept that continues to make the rounds in our country; it's something called, 'The Christian Yellow Pages.' Could it be that a Christian repairs television sets better than a non-Christian? Does a Christian barber give better haircuts than a non-Christian? If we're looking for an auto mechanic, isn't it better to find one who can fix cars, rather than one whose sole claim to our business is that he has a daily quiet time?' 115)
General principles:
1. Avoid Moods
2. Separate Facts from Problems ('I've discovered that often, as we look at problems and questions, we waste a great deal of emotional energy trying to change the facts of life.' 130)
3. Go for It ('...a second-best decision, diligently pursued, will beat a first-best decision lackadaisically pursued...most decisions that don't have strong moral implications are 55/45 decisions...The pursuit of the decision may be more important than the decision itself.' 131)
4. Set a Time Limit
Decision danger-zones:
1. Not knowing where you're going ('...beginning without deciding where you want to go or how to get there' 136)
a. What exactly is the decision I have to make?
b. How should a decision like this one be made?
c. Should I involve other people?
d. How important is this decision anyhow?
e. Do I have to make this decision at all?
f. Do I need other perspectives to balance my biases or limitations?
2. Answering the wrong question ('...if you ask, 'How can I know the will of God in this decision?' then you may approach the issue with your mind set on signs or impressions...On the other hand, if you frame your question, 'How can I make a wise decision that honors God?' you ask a question that focuses on the process. How you frame your question, therefore, determines the information and advice you will seek.' 138)
3. Not being sure of what you don't know
4. Avoiding disagreement
5. Using yesterday's battle plans ('Change doesn't necessarily meane moral rot, but it does demand that we consider new strategies...' 146, also see groupthink )
6. Misreading the lessons of experience (evaluate others' counsel, get multiple counsels)
7. Assuming that decisions stay made
8. Believing in feeling (systematic process > intuition)
'The sovereign God has made us people, not puppets. We have His Word to guide us, His love to redeem us, and His assurance to make us capable to make choice choices.' 151
August 18, 2021
Basically a cessationist view on guidance - namely that God does not guide us in an active way, rather that we simply have the principles contained in scripture to guide us to making decision wisely. In this Robinson does bring a correction in addressing many wrong or over the top practices - indeed there is a case for Christians to take ownership of decision making themselves. After all, God has not made us robots, but rather his children to grow in wisdom and strength. Robinson does give a lot of good advice and sound council, however if the Holy Spirit can inspire the authors of the New Testament how can he then dismiss his actions today! While reading signs, circumstances, quickening of scripture and special revelation need to be treated with caution and also aligned with each other - these things have been dismissed far too casually.
November 22, 2024
Helpful reminder that God is sovereign and our decisions cannot undo the will of God. Reminded me that the joy is in the journey not finally arriving at what I think is best. God is at work in everything for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28-29) to make me look more and more like Jesus. This is my prayer.
January 15, 2022
The arguments in this book totally destroyed what I'd been taught my entire life. It was awesome!!
I definitely recommend this one. I learned so much and I realized that so much stuff I thought about God and my life was plain wrong. I wish I'd found this book sooner.
I definitely recommend this one. I learned so much and I realized that so much stuff I thought about God and my life was plain wrong. I wish I'd found this book sooner.
January 1, 2023
Good recommendations
If you have trouble making decisions, then read this book. The advice is not only spiritual but practical as well. Good enough not only for Christians but anyone who has trouble deciding.
If you have trouble making decisions, then read this book. The advice is not only spiritual but practical as well. Good enough not only for Christians but anyone who has trouble deciding.
August 29, 2017
Well-written, clear and cogently written. Recommended reading for any Christian who wants to be a better decision maker.
March 14, 2018
It's a practical read and every Christian should read it.
November 5, 2019
This is another of Dr. Robinson's really good books. As with almost everything he writes one of the strong points are his illustrations. He has a very engaging writing style. I read it in 2002.
August 12, 2020
Such a great book. Practical, helpful and also an enjoyable read.
May 5, 2022
Excellent, practical, wise advice!
December 29, 2022
Author had already been mentioned as a preaching guru. Book wasn't too long and easy to read with bite size chapters. Very helpful. Do recommend.
March 2, 2013
It's a christian book that uses scriptures from the bible as well as biblical characters to address the issues that confront us in the world today. More specifically, it focuses on how to make tough or conflicting decisions through the word of God. It's a spiritually and practically rich and edifying book that cannot just be brushed through, but needs to be reflected upon and connected with to be digested and enjoyed.
While some unbeliever might not be able to relate to the book content because of the scriptural references; it does minister to unbelievers as well because we all face challenges of decision making on a daily basis.
So, if you're open-minded to acquire a decent, inspirational, and perhaps divine way of dealing with decision crisis, then, this is definitely a book to read.
While some unbeliever might not be able to relate to the book content because of the scriptural references; it does minister to unbelievers as well because we all face challenges of decision making on a daily basis.
So, if you're open-minded to acquire a decent, inspirational, and perhaps divine way of dealing with decision crisis, then, this is definitely a book to read.
June 3, 2019
Excellent help! I think this is a very good piece on the subject. I highly recommend it to all believers who are now confused about what the Bible says about the sovereign will of God and what we should do and learn in order to choose rightly underneath the guiding Word of God. We should not ask what is the will of God in our decision-making but rather ask the right question, "How can I be prudent and wise in my decision-making?" This is our individual will. The comfort is that God can work in and through and in spite of our choices.
I also observed the importance of our motive in decision-making. It should be principled in light of Phil 2:4, speaks of our great consideration for the welfare of others.
I also observed the importance of our motive in decision-making. It should be principled in light of Phil 2:4, speaks of our great consideration for the welfare of others.
August 6, 2011
Liberating from guilt of making decisions and worry of making the wrong decision when the decision is not a matter of right and wrond according to the Bible. We have more freedom in decision making than we may have thought.
February 28, 2018
Practico y al punto. Este es un libro que aún aquellos que no son creyentes lo deberían leer. Presenta la toma de decisión como un proceso alejando la “intuición” o mejor dicho racionalizando la intuición para la toma de desiciones.
August 15, 2011
A good start to this important topic of decision-making by the Christian, for the purpose of glorifying our God and Saviour.
December 26, 2011
Maybe the best and most readable book on the subject.
June 10, 2012
This is a great book, and a must read for all Christians searching for God's Will in their life. I finally was not confused anymore. In Christ we have freedom.
January 19, 2017
Transformed my understanding of God's will.
November 27, 2025
Decent — 6.5/10
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews