Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "decided" in the biblical context often relates to the act of making a firm choice or resolution, particularly in matters of faith, obedience, and moral conduct. The Bible frequently addresses the importance of decision-making, emphasizing the need for individuals to choose paths that align with God's will and commandments.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the theme of decision-making is evident in the lives of key figures who were called to make pivotal choices. For instance, Joshua's exhortation to the Israelites underscores the necessity of making a decisive commitment to serve the Lord: "But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (
Joshua 24:15). This call to decision highlights the importance of choosing allegiance to God over other competing loyalties.
The account of Elijah on Mount Carmel also illustrates the need for decision. Elijah challenges the people of Israel to stop wavering between two opinions and to decide whom they will follow: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (
1 Kings 18:21). This moment of decision was crucial for the Israelites to reaffirm their commitment to the one true God.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, decision-making is closely linked to discipleship and the call to follow Christ. Jesus often called individuals to make decisive choices about their lives and priorities. In
Matthew 16:24, Jesus states, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" . This call to discipleship requires a deliberate decision to forsake personal desires and fully commit to the path of Christ.
The Apostle Paul also speaks to the importance of decision-making in the life of a believer. In
Romans 12:2, he urges believers to make a conscious decision to transform their minds and not conform to the patterns of this world: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" . This transformation involves a decisive choice to pursue a life that reflects God's will.
Moral and Ethical DecisionsThe Bible provides guidance on making moral and ethical decisions, emphasizing the need for wisdom and discernment.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" . This passage highlights the importance of relying on God's wisdom rather than human understanding when making decisions.
James 1:5 further encourages believers to seek divine wisdom in decision-making: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" . This promise assures believers that God is willing to provide the necessary guidance for making sound decisions.
Spiritual DecisionsDecisions of a spiritual nature are central to the Christian faith. The decision to accept Christ as Savior is the most significant choice a person can make, as it determines one's eternal destiny. In
John 3:16, the Bible declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" . This verse underscores the importance of the decision to believe in Jesus for salvation.
The act of being "decided" in the biblical sense involves a commitment to live according to God's principles, to choose righteousness over sin, and to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to make decisions that reflect their faith and trust in God, knowing that such choices lead to spiritual growth and fulfillment.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Decide.
2. (a.) Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable; unquestionable; clear; evident; as, a decided advantage.
3. (a.) Free from doubt or wavering; determined; of fixed purpose; fully settled; positive; resolute; as, a decided opinion or purpose.
Greek
1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become... 5), breaking* (1), came (45), came into being (2), came to pass (2), come (16),
comes (1), comes to pass (1), coming (1), dawn (1),
decided* (1), developing (1
...1106. gnome -- purpose, opinion, consent, decision
... Word Origin from ginosko Definition purpose, opinion, consent, decision NASB Word
Usage consent (1),decided* (1), judgment (1), opinion (3), purpose (3)....
2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... verb Definition to judge, decide NASB Word Usage act as...judge (1), concluded
(1), condemn (1), condemning (1), considered (1),decided (8), determine (1...
Strong's Hebrew
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart... 1), chests* (1), completely* (1), concern* (1), concerned* (1), conscience (1),
consider* (2), considered* (2), courage (1),
decided* (1), determine* (1
...5973. im -- with
... 9), among (16), among my belongings (1), aside (1), because (1), before (5), before*
(1), behalf (1), beside (1), besides (3), close (1),decided* (1), done* (1...
3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... 8), counsel (4), counsel do you give (2), counsel you have given (1), counseled
(7), Counselor (1), counselor (10), counselors (11),decided (3), devised (2...
2782. charats -- to cut, sharpen, decide
... root Definition to cut, sharpen, decide NASB Word Usage act promptly (1), bark*
(1),decided (1), decisive (1), decreed (3), determined (3), maimed (1...
3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...
... end (1), ceased (1), come to an end (5), complete (1), completed (10), completely
gone (1), completion (1), consume (6), consumed (16),decided (3), demolish (1...
559. amar -- to utter, say
... 1), assigned (1), call (2), called (4), command (1), commanded (14), commanded to
say (1), commands (3), consider (1), continued (2),decided (2), declare* (1...
1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... 1), come (86), come to pass (3), comes (2), comes to pass (1), committed (1), consists
(1), continue (6), continued (3), correspond (1),decided* (1), done (4...
Library
At that Time, the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost was Agitated, and it...
... Chapter XXII."At that Time, the Doctrine of the Holy Ghost was agitated, and it
wasdecided that he is to be considered Consubstantial with the Father and...
Tries to Become a Politician. Fails. Last Act as a Politician....
... I regarded this as a field in which the influence of Christianity was much needed;
and Idecided to make this a specialty, while leading a public political life...
The House of the Green Meadow
... intended to build a convent, but Nicholas told him there were more convents already
than pious people to live in them, and it was thereforedecided between the...
The Blessedness of Giving
... "Idecided to balance my accounts as nearly as I could, every month; and reserving
such a portion of profits as might appear adequate to cover probable losses...
The Christian is to Walk Circumspectly.
... How often have youdecided that you would be more prayerful, would read more, would
love God more, and the souls of men, would do more for the cause of God!...
Epistle Liii. To Cornelius, Concerning Granting Peace to the...
... 1. We had indeeddecided some time ago, dearest brother, having mutually taken counsel
one with another, that they who, in the fierceness of persecution, had...
A God-Given Field (1894-1900)
... And there were other difficulties in the way. A presbytery had been formed as others
joined us, and all matters had to bedecided by that body....
The First Epistle.
... principles. The end of his case, however, should be remitted to the seat
of the apostles, that it may be finallydecided there....
Cast Your Eye Round the Room in which You Sit...
... Tradition hasdecided that only half of humanity shall be monomaniac. It hasdecided
that in every home there shall be a tradesman and a Jack-of all-trades....
Chapter four
... The recent freak of your paper in refusing to print the account of the famous
contest at the Resort hasdecided me finally to change my paper....
Thesaurus
Decided (54 Occurrences)... & pp) of Decide. 2. (a.) Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable; unquestionable;
clear; evident; as, a
decided advantage.
...Decided (54 Occurrences).
...Decision (174 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The quality of beingdecided; prompt and fixed determination; unwavering
firmness; as, to manifest great decision. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Phoenix (2 Occurrences)
... Thence, in spite of Paul's advice to winter in Fair Havens, it wasdecided to sail
to Phoenix (eis Phoinika, limena tes Kretes) bleponta kata liba kai kata...
Travel (25 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Acts 19:21 When matters had reached this point, Pauldecided in his
own mind to travel through Macedonia and Greece, and go to Jerusalem....
Planned (34 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:3 The Jews having planned to waylay him whenever he might be on the point
of taking ship for Syria, hedecided to travel back by way of Macedonia....
Decide (33 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to
give decision; as, the courtdecided in favor of the defendant....
Titus (15 Occurrences)
... It wasdecided that Paul and Barnabas, "and certain other of them," should go
up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question....
Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... Later on, Sargon of Assyria, in his 12th year,decided to break the power
of Merodach-baladan, who had made himself master of Babylon....
Pronounced (63 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Pronounce. 2. (a.) Strongly marked;
unequivocal;decided. [A Gallicism]. Multi-Version Concordance...
Point (106 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 19:21 When matters had reached this point, Pauldecided in his own mind
to travel through Macedonia and Greece, and go to Jerusalem....
Resources
How and when was the canon of the Bible put together? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened at the Tower of Babel? | GotQuestions.orgDecided: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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