So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Decision making is not easy for me. Maybe you can relate to my struggle. Many times, I find myself analyzing every possible outcome and seeking advice from many people I trust. You see, I want to make wise decisions. Even more, I certainly do not want to make the wrong decision. One thing that I have found particularly helpful when I feel paralyzed by decision making is having a central goal and purpose. When that happens, that goal and purpose can help me as I process each decision that must be made. That purpose and goal becomes a filter for decision making that helps me know immediately when a bad decision would lead me astray. This is particularly true when it comes to our relationship with God. Scripture makes it clear for followers of Christ that the purpose and goal of each decision and choice we make are to glorify God.
The apostle Paul understood that followers of Christ are to glorify God in everything they do. In the book of 1 Corinthians, he wrote these words, “’Everything is lawful,’ but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is lawful, but not everything builds others up’” (1 Corinthians 4:23). In other words, while many of the things we do and the decisions we make are neither “good” nor “bad,” not everything is beneficial. Not everything brings God glory. Several verses down, after making this statement, Paul concludes, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (verse 31). In other words, Paul encouraged readers to let God’s glory be the filter by which we live our lives and the decisions we make. When we live our lives and make decisions that will glorify God, we can be certain that we are honoring Him with the decisions we make, even when the path to the right decision seems unclear.
The words that Paul wrote in the book of 1 Corinthians are for you and me today. Whatever we do, we are to glorify God. This means that we live to please Him and make Him known to the people around us. When we feel stuck in decision making, wisdom teaches us to ask the question, “what will bring God glory?” When we ask this question, we can have confidence and peace as we make decisions each and every day.
Every day we make thousands of decisions. We want to encourage you to make decisions based off of what will best glorify God. Take some time to journal about 1 Corinthians 10:31. Write the verse down in your notebook or journal. Next, look up a definition for the word “glorify.” Then, answer the question: what does it look like for you to live each and every day for the glory of God? Write down three tangible steps you can take this week to live for His glory.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (NLT)
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
