Samson amazingly typified the nation of
Delilah was paid by Philistine rulers to lure from Samson the secret of his strength. It didn’t take long for her to succeed. She nagged and prodded him daily until the Bible says he was “tired to death.” “So he told her everything. ‘No razor has ever been used on my head,’ he said, ‘because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.’”—Judges
Samson consistently made feeling-based decisions without considering or consulting God. His operative philosophy was “if it feels good, do it.” His choice to confide in Delilah caused God to leave him, cost him his life and gave his enemies reason to rejoice in their god Dagon.
Much of our life is determined by our decision making. The Apostle Paul wrote, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express . . . the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will” (Romans 8:26,27b). If Paul, a spiritual giant, admitted the inability to know what to pray for, how critical is it that we depend on the Holy Spirit to help us in our decision making!
So many times I have jumped to conclusions or made choices based on a gut feeling or because it was self-pleasing. I can recall a couple of key decisions made many years ago I wish I could do over. I should have relied on the Holy Spirit for direction. I have also observed leaders who chose not to make decisions, put their trust in waiting and missed God-given opportunities because they failed to act. When it comes to decision making the spectrum for error is wide; there is a great difference between Samsonite luggage and Samsonite baggage!
Before making important decisions we ought first to pray and seek God’s will. Second, we ought to examine our motives. Third, we should ensure that whatever we decide is in consonance with God’s Word. Fourth, we should seek the opinion of those who have a track record for making God-honoring decisions (it is often wise to consult people much different than we are). Fifth, we should trust in God and recognize that the process of trusting may be more important than the result. Often our worst decisions are those that come from our strength and abilities—we took God for granted and He granted what we took.
Are you about to make an important decision? Here’s a great place to start. “O Heavenly Father, may Your
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