Decision Making in the Bible

Virtue ethics as I stated previously, is where I believe I relate most in the way I choose right from wrong. However, it is evident through discussion with others and through studies that there is a wide spectrum where people fall on how they decide right from wrong. Taking a look at the Biblical word, new perspectives give a different meaning as to where decisions stem from and what makes one way of choosing right from wrong feel good to different people. Through three different sections in the Bible, this is made extremely evident.

Taking a specific look at Matthew 5:17-48, we can see where virtue ethics come from. Jesus focuses on the external law and evaluates it from an internal perspective. This really explains how people in today’s world make decisions as well. With virtue ethics, people recognize right form wrong based on the law, but make the right decision because internally it feels right to them. Jesus was a great example of someone who lived this out. He recognized the commandments and the laws that were laid out for him, however in Matthew it is shown that to emphasize his character and focus on the internal, he made the right decision. If we all lived this way, our world may be a little better off not only because the laws are followed, but also because people internally would feel good about the lives they are living and the decisions they are making.

Another verse I want to focus on is Romans 7:14-25. The story of Paul’s internal struggle to make the right decision can be the most convicting story for people in today’s world. It is hard to admit that while we know the correct thing to do, there are often times where we simply choose the wrong action. This is where I understand how even though people may live their lives based on that of virtue ethics, the wrong decision could still be made. The inner battle we deal with when making decisions is real and as stated in an analysis of Romans, it is the truest depiction of moral decision-making.  Paul exemplifies the average human being and all of the internal struggles that are handled while making decisions. It can be easy to point fingers at Paul and question why he is feeling this way when the right decision may be black and white, but at the end of the day, we have all been Paul at one point in our lives and if anything that should bring us comfort.

Overall, after taking a look at Matthew, a few verses in Exodus representing duty based ethics and consequentialism, and Romans, it is made evident that there are different ways to few the decision making process. God did not lay out exactly how our decisions should be made. Jesus dealt with virtue ethics, Paul dealt with inner struggle of morality, and the Hebrew woman tapped into consequentialism.  The most important thing to take from these stories and examples of decision making in the Bible is that God recognizes there are decisions to be made and He is not always going to make them black and white, however if we follow Him and lead with our heart’s desires, the decisions will take care of themselves and the correct decision will be made in the end.