Faith's Influence: Decision-Making And Choices

Faith is an important aspect of many people's lives, and it can influence the way they live and make decisions. For Christians, the Bible guides their actions and decisions, with the notion that whatever does not proceed from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Faith can provide a sense of assurance and conviction, making unseen things perceivable and resulting in clarity of thought. It incorporates the Word of God into decision-making, where Christians refer to the Bible for truths, commands, prohibitions, and promises to guide their choices. Authentic faith influences both small, daily decisions and significant life choices, shaping personal values and behaviours. It also extends beyond the individual, impacting the community and society through actions and political engagement. Faith, therefore, plays a significant role in how individuals navigate their lives and interact with the world around them.

Faith and reason: faith does not bypass reason and can help make sense of the unknown

Faith and reason are intertwined in the decision-making process for Christians. While faith may be seen as a step into the unknown, trusting in God's provision, it does not bypass reason. In fact, faith can provide clarity of thought and help make sense of the unknown by incorporating the Word of God into decision-making.

The Bible states that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). This verse highlights that faith is about having assurance and conviction, even when we cannot perceive the outcome or fully understand God's plan. However, it is important to note that faith is not a blind decision or a leap in the dark.

When making decisions, Christians gather relevant information, put it together in a logical order, and make objective assessments. By exercising faith, they delve into the Bible, mining the scriptures for truths, commands, prohibitions, and promises. They lay these findings alongside the other valid information they have gathered and, through prayer and consideration of the facts, make a decision that is informed by both reason and faith.

Authentic faith influences both small, daily decisions and life's big choices. It guides how we behave, our attitudes, and the values we live by. For example, faith can impact the house we buy, how we spend our money, and where we send our children to school. Additionally, faith is expressed in our actions, especially towards those who are poor and suffering. It is not meant to be confined to the private realm but extends to our public and professional lives as well.

In conclusion, faith does not bypass reason; instead, it works alongside it to guide decision-making. Christians seek to incorporate the Word of God into their choices, trusting that He will provide clarity and direction, even in the unknown. By doing so, they strive to live out their faith authentically and allow it to influence all areas of their lives.

Faith and the Bible: the Bible is a source of guidance and mandates for decision-making

The Bible is a source of guidance and mandates for Christians facing decisions, both big and small. While it may not provide a clear, step-by-step answer, it offers principles and wisdom to navigate life's choices. For instance, Proverbs 3:5 advises believers to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." This verse encourages Christians to acknowledge their limitations and trust that God is in control, even when the outcome is uncertain.

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of faith in decision-making. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This means that even when the future is unclear, faith provides confidence that God is guiding and directing one's path. Christians are called to walk by faith, not by sight, trusting in God's promises and character rather than their circumstances.

The Bible also instructs believers to seek God's wisdom and discernment in decision-making. James 1:5 encourages individuals to ask God for wisdom, as he generously gives it to those who lack it. Additionally, Proverbs 11:14 highlights the value of counsel, suggesting that God often speaks through others, including faith leaders, experts, and even everyday people.

When making decisions, it is essential to interpret Scripture accurately and in context. C.S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, warns against the human tendency to veer towards extremes, either over-spiritualizing or relying solely on worldly wisdom. Instead, he suggests finding a balance between faith and godly wisdom, recognizing that both originate from God and should be used together in decision-making.

In conclusion, the Bible serves as a guide for Christians facing decisions by providing principles, wisdom, and mandates. It encourages trust in God, emphasizes the importance of faith, and directs individuals to seek wisdom and counsel. By interpreting Scripture accurately and maintaining a balance between faith and godly wisdom, believers can navigate life's choices in a way that honors God and reflects their faith.

Faith in private: faith influences our inner lives and personal values

Authentic faith influences our inner lives and personal values in a number of ways. Firstly, through prayer, we seek God's grace to shape and influence our inner lives, allowing divine love to repair, restore and re-orientate us. This is a private process, where real faith makes a difference even when no one is watching.

Secondly, faith plays a role in our decision-making processes. The Bible tells us that every decision a Christian makes should be guided by faith, as any decision that does not proceed from faith is considered a sin (Romans 14:23). This involves incorporating the Word of God, or Scripture, into decision-making. Christians gather relevant information, put it together logically, and make objective assessments. Faith allows individuals to see the statements in the Bible as definite realities and incorporate them into their decision-making. This involves serious consideration of plain facts and God's perspective, as found through studying the Scriptures.

However, it is important to note that faith does not bypass reason. While faith makes unseen things perceivable and results in clarity of thought, it does not mean making blind decisions. Instead, it is about understanding and grasping concepts, just as we use our five senses to understand reality.

Ultimately, faith influences our personal values and guides our daily decisions, both big and small. It impacts our attitudes, behaviours, and choices in life, including how we spend our money, where we live, and how we educate our children.

Faith in public: faith has a role in how society is ordered and communities operate

Faith has a significant role in shaping how society is ordered and how communities operate. With more than 85% of the world's population identifying as religious, faith plays a pivotal role in the public sphere, influencing various aspects of economic and social life.

Firstly, faith provides a moral and ethical compass for individuals and communities. All major belief systems share essential principles, such as the "golden rule" of reciprocity and respect, which form the basis for modern human rights. Faith leaders and communities have a long history of advocating for human rights, dating back to the promotion of rights for Black people and women in 19th-century America.

Secondly, faith can be a powerful force for peacemaking and conflict prevention. While religion is often perceived as a source of conflict, evidence suggests that it can foster tolerance, respect, understanding, and reconciliation. For example, the Community of Sant'Egidio of Mozambique played a pivotal role in achieving an African peace agreement in 1992. By promoting heightened awareness of religion's peace-building potential and fostering collaboration between governments, faith communities, and businesses, sustainable peace and political stability can be achieved.

Thirdly, faith legitimizes and reinforces societal values. World faiths represent global identities and shared values that influence people's actions and behaviours. A nuanced understanding of the interplay between religious and cultural values can shed light on the dynamic ways in which religion shapes and is shaped by society.

Additionally, faith can play a crucial role in anti-corruption efforts. An individual's ethical and moral standards are shaped by their religious beliefs, and faith leaders can be important allies in the fight against corruption. Integrating faith and religious leaders into anti-corruption initiatives can be beneficial, as evidenced by the relationship between religious guidance, values, and reduced corruption.

Lastly, faith can introduce ethical values into the business and economic spheres. Concepts such as Islamic finance, which focuses on the social responsibilities of financial institutions and individuals, promote sustainability as a key element of economic growth. By applying ethical ideas and moral systems from religious traditions, new modes of behaviour and alternative perspectives to prevailing economic models can emerge.

In conclusion, faith has a significant influence on the public sphere, impacting communities and shaping the order of society. It provides a moral compass, fosters peace and reconciliation, legitimizes values, fights corruption, and introduces ethical practices into economic life. While acknowledging the diverse nature of religious beliefs and practices, the role of faith in public life is undeniable, and its potential for positive social change is significant.

Faith and politics: faith can shape the structures and powers of the world for fairness and justice

Faith can shape the structures and powers of the world for fairness and justice. Authentic faith is expressed publicly and has things to say about how society is ordered and how communities operate. It cares about how the structures and powers in the world can be shaped to create greater fairness, justice and peace.

Christianity, for example, was a public movement from the start, described in the New Testament as the 'Ekklesia', or public assembly. It was never seen as a private matter, and nor should it be today. When we look at the injustices and violence in places such as Iraq, Syria and Gaza, we cannot pretend that faith has nothing to do with politics. Jesus was a political threat to the Jewish and Roman authorities, and that is why he was crucified.

Faith can inform political decisions and shape the world for fairness and justice. It can influence the decisions we make about our lives, from the personal to the political. For example, a Christian may be free to buy any house on the market within their means, but their faith may influence which house they choose. Similarly, faith can influence political decisions about taxation, education, healthcare and foreign policy, to name a few examples.

Reason and faith are both important in decision-making. By 'reason', we mean rational thinking and God-given common sense. Proverbs 3:5 tells us not to 'rest on human understanding' and not to 'put all your weight upon it'. Instead, we should put our trust in God, who rules and over-rules all human decisions. Scripture should be used sensibly, with proper interpretation and application, to inform our decisions.

Faith plays a significant role in godly decision-making. It means trust, belief and confidence. We have faith in Scripture as the infallible Word of God, and that God is always in control. Faith gives us the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We believe that God will rule in all our decisions, even if we cannot see how he is guiding us behind the scenes.

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