Overview
The Bible addresses decision across 41 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Revelation, Luke and 1 Timothy. Closely related themes include Perseverance, Watchfulness, Procrastination and Steadfastness. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Pontius Pilate.
Key Bible verses about decision
Old Testament
1 Kings
And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:
For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.
So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.
Proverbs
New Testament
Matthew
Luke
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
John
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. without me: or, severed from me
Romans
Colossians
1 Timothy
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; confession: or, profession
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Timothy
Hebrews
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
1 Peter
2 Peter
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Jude
Revelation
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
People in the Bible and decision
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
Studying decision for yourself
- Begin with 1 Kings 13:8, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Revelation, Luke and 1 Timothy each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and Pontius Pilate and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Perseverance, Watchfulness, Procrastination and Steadfastness.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about decision?
The Bible addresses decision across 41 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Revelation, Luke and 1 Timothy. Closely related themes include Perseverance, Watchfulness, Procrastination and Steadfastness. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Pontius Pilate.
How many Bible verses are about decision?
The Bible references decision in 41 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention decision?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 1 Kings 13:8: “And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:”
Which people in the Bible are associated with decision?
Jesus and Pontius Pilate.
Preach & teach
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