I must say that reading of the book Decisions, Decisions by Dave Swavely was both painful and blessed. As painful as the first part of the book was to read, the second part of the book blesses the soul deeply. The second part of the book is so helpful in helping us make Christ-honoring decisions and the first part of the book clears the way for those types of decisions to be made.

Let’s start with the second part of the book. Swavely does a terrific job of setting out the guidelines and foundations of making biblical, Christ-honoring decisions. The first is walking closely with Christ in our daily lives. Another biblical guideline is recognizing the Master’s sovereign hand in all of life and praying for the Lord to reveal His will through the Word, wisdom and providence. Coupled with this is the counsel we glean from godly friends, family and people we respect. But sandwiched in the middle are three vital questions we bring to any decision we make.

• What does the Bible say about it?
• What is the wisest choice?
• What do I desire to do?

There is a “line of freedom” between Scripture and Wisdom/Desire that is quite helpful. Our God has given us our minds and He takes into consideration our thoughts and the desires He has allowed us to have. I have only barely described part two, “How to Make Decisions”, because it is worth reading page by page.

The hard part of the book for me was Part One. I didn’t agree with every example Swavely gives on poor decision-making, but he does an excellent, though painful, job of demolishing erroneous methods that Christians sometimes use to know the will of God. I don’t think anyone reading this book will be exempt from the Lord using Swavely’s convicting words on how we’ve done “Christian decision making”. Those chapters are so helpful in paving the way for the second part of the book. The first part gets the junk out of the way so that the path is ready for Christ-honoring, biblical decision making to happen on a consistent basis.

Buy the book, prayerfully work through the discomfort of conviction and rejoice in the blessed truths that guide us to make Christ-honoring, biblical decisions.

Dean Conkel, Youth and Family Ministries