Making Right Decisions Through God's Truth and Guidance

May 25, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Judge According to Righteous Judgment, Not Outward Appearances

God calls us to discern rightly, not by what we see on the surface, but by seeking His truth and wisdom in every situation. Outward appearances can be deceiving, and our own instincts or biases may lead us astray. Instead, we are to look deeper, asking God for discernment so that our decisions and judgments reflect His righteousness and not our limited perspective. When we judge by appearances, we risk missing what God is truly doing and may even oppose His work. Let us seek to align our hearts and minds with God's standards, making the right call by relying on His truth. [06:59]

John 7:24 (ESV)
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to judge someone or something by outward appearances? Ask God to help you see with His eyes and make a decision today based on His truth rather than your assumptions.

Day 2: Streams of Living Water—Trusting Jesus for True Life

Jesus offers living water to all who come to Him, promising the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and a life overflowing with God's love and power. This invitation is not just for a select few, but for anyone who recognizes their thirst and need for Him. When you trust in Jesus, He fills you with His Spirit, bringing transformation, guidance, and eternal relationship with God. This is the most important decision you can make—receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior, allowing Him to quench your deepest thirst and direct your life. [18:22]

John 7:37-38 (ESV)
"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”'"

Reflection: Are you relying on Jesus to satisfy your deepest needs, or are you looking elsewhere? Take a moment today to come to Him in prayer, asking Him to fill you afresh with His Spirit.

Day 3: Trust the Word of God to Guide Your Decisions

God’s Word is the foundation for wise living, offering practical guidance for every area of life—finances, relationships, and beyond. We are not wise enough to navigate life on our own, but Scripture provides the wisdom and direction we need. By reading, meditating on, and obeying God’s Word, we align our choices with His will and experience His blessing. Whether facing a financial decision or a relational challenge, let the Word of God be your guide, trusting that His commands are for your good and His glory. [20:37]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: What is one decision you are facing this week where you need God’s wisdom? Find a relevant Scripture and commit to following its guidance as you make your choice.

Day 4: Listen to the Spirit and God’s People for Guidance

The Holy Spirit leads us through God’s Word, the counsel of other believers, our conscience, and His peace. We are not meant to make decisions in isolation; God has given us His Spirit and a community of faith to help us discern His will. Sometimes, the Spirit speaks through wise friends, mentors, or even those who challenge us. By remaining open to the Spirit’s prompting and the input of others, we avoid the pitfalls of self-reliance and echo chambers, making choices that honor God and bless others. [24:02]

Romans 8:14 (ESV)
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

Reflection: Who is one spiritually mature person you can seek counsel from this week about a decision you’re facing? Reach out to them and invite their perspective, asking the Holy Spirit to confirm His guidance.

Day 5: Be Curious, Not Judging—Love Others as God Loves Them

We often make wrong calls when we trust our own limited understanding, misinterpret others’ motives, or fail to consider their hardships. Instead of rushing to judgment, God calls us to be curious, compassionate, and loving—recognizing that every person is an image-bearer fighting battles we may never see. Jesus demonstrated this with the woman caught in adultery, offering mercy and truth rather than condemnation. As we encounter difficult people or situations, let us choose empathy and grace, seeking to understand and love as Jesus does. [28:52]

James 1:19 (ESV)
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

Reflection: Think of someone you find difficult to love or understand. What is one step you can take today to listen to their story or show them Christlike compassion?

Sermon Summary

In John 7, Jesus returns to Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when Israel remembered God’s provision in the wilderness. This festival, like all the Old Testament feasts, pointed forward to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. Yet, when Jesus arrives at the temple, the people and religious leaders are divided about who He is. Some are curious, some are hostile, and many are simply confused. The central issue is not just about Jesus’ identity, but about how people make decisions—do they judge by appearances and their own understanding, or do they discern according to God’s truth?

The call is to make the right judgment, not based on outward appearances or personal biases, but on righteous judgment rooted in God’s revelation. Jesus’ own brothers, though they grew up with Him, did not believe in Him at this point. The crowds debated His origins, missing the clear scriptural prophecies about the Messiah. The religious leaders, threatened by Jesus’ authority and unwilling to investigate honestly, dismissed Him because He didn’t fit their expectations. In all these responses, the common thread is a reliance on self—on limited knowledge, assumptions, and prejudices—rather than on God’s truth.

Jesus offers a better way. On the last day of the festival, He invites all who are thirsty to come to Him and drink, promising streams of living water—the Holy Spirit—to those who believe. This is not just an invitation to salvation, but to a new way of living: trusting in the Son of God, relying on the Word of God, and being guided by the Spirit of God. Making the right call in life’s decisions means surrendering our self-reliance and letting God’s truth, wisdom, and presence direct us.

Practically, this means seeking God’s wisdom in His Word for our daily choices, listening to the Spirit’s guidance, and being humble enough to seek counsel from others in the body of Christ. It also means refusing to judge others hastily, recognizing that we never have the full picture of their hearts or struggles. The story of the woman caught in adultery illustrates this: while the religious leaders sought to condemn, Jesus offered mercy and truth, calling her to a new life. In every area of life, the challenge is to trust God more than ourselves, making decisions that reflect His heart and His truth.

Key Takeaways

1. Discernment requires more than outward observation; it demands a heart aligned with God’s truth. Judging by appearances leads to error, but seeking righteous judgment means filtering every decision through the lens of Scripture and the character of Christ. This is a call to humility, to admit our limited perspective and to trust God’s wisdom above our own. [06:59]
2. Trusting Jesus is the foundational decision upon which all other right choices are built. Salvation is not just a one-time event but the beginning of a life where Christ is Lord, and His Spirit indwells and guides us. Without this relationship, even the best human decisions are ultimately empty; with it, we have access to God’s wisdom and presence for every step. [18:22]
3. God’s Word is a practical guide for every area of life, not just spiritual matters. Whether it’s finances, relationships, or daily conduct, Scripture offers principles that, when followed, lead to flourishing and peace. The humility to submit our plans and desires to God’s revealed will is a mark of true wisdom and faith. [20:37]
4. The Holy Spirit’s guidance is essential, especially in situations where Scripture does not give explicit instructions. He leads through the Word, the counsel of other believers, our conscience, and the peace He gives. Cultivating sensitivity to the Spirit means being attentive, teachable, and willing to act even when it challenges our preferences. [24:02]
5. Judging others harshly or prematurely reveals a trust in self rather than in God. We often lack crucial information about others’ motives, struggles, and stories. Christ calls us to love, to seek understanding, and to extend mercy, remembering that every person is an image-bearer deeply loved by God. [28:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:20] - The Allergy of Discernment
[05:06] - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles
[06:59] - Judging by God’s Truth, Not Appearances
[08:33] - Jesus’ Brothers and Unbelief
[09:38] - The Crowd’s Division and Jesus’ Teaching
[12:39] - Attempts to Seize Jesus
[14:19] - Confusion Over Jesus’ Origins
[15:56] - The Pharisees’ Judgment and Nicodemus’ Challenge
[17:23] - Making the Right Call: Trusting God
[18:22] - The Invitation to Living Water
[20:37] - Applying God’s Word to Daily Life
[22:01] - Trusting God’s Word in Relationships
[24:02] - The Spirit’s Guidance in Decision-Making
[27:31] - The Dangers of Self-Reliance
[28:52] - Loving Others Instead of Judging
[30:58] - The Woman Caught in Adultery
[32:04] - Jesus’ Mercy and the Call to New Life
[33:11] - The Freedom of Trusting God
[33:57] - Final Challenge: Make the Right Call

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Making the Right Call (John 7)

Bible Reading

- John 7 (Main passage)
- John 8:1-11 (The woman caught in adultery, as referenced in the sermon)

Observation Questions

In John 7, what were some of the different opinions people had about Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles? How did the religious leaders, the crowds, and even Jesus’ own brothers respond to Him? ([08:33])
According to John 7:24, what kind of judgment does Jesus call for, and how is it different from the way people were judging Him? ([06:59])
What invitation does Jesus give on the last day of the festival, and what does He promise to those who respond? ([12:39])
In the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), how do the religious leaders approach Jesus, and what is His response to both the woman and her accusers? ([30:58])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think so many people, including those closest to Jesus, struggled to recognize who He was, even though the Old Testament pointed to Him? ([08:33])
What does it mean to “judge according to righteous judgment” instead of by appearances? How might this look different in real life? ([06:59])
The sermon says that trusting Jesus is the foundational decision for all other right choices. Why is this relationship so important for making wise decisions in life? ([18:22])
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, what does Jesus’ response teach us about mercy, truth, and how we should treat others who have failed? ([32:04])

Application Questions

The sermon talked about how easy it is to rely on our own understanding, assumptions, and prejudices when making decisions. Can you think of a recent time when you made a judgment about someone or something based on appearances? What would it have looked like to “judge with righteous judgment” instead? ([06:59])
Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come to Him and promises “streams of living water”—the Holy Spirit—to those who believe. What does it look like for you personally to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your daily decisions? Are there areas where you tend to ignore His leading? ([12:39])
The sermon gave practical examples of applying God’s Word to finances and relationships. Is there a specific area in your life right now—money, family, work—where you need to seek God’s wisdom instead of just doing what feels right? What step could you take this week to submit that area to God’s Word? ([20:37])
The message challenged us to seek counsel from others in the body of Christ, not just those who always agree with us. Who is someone in your life you could go to for wise, godly advice? What keeps you from seeking out that kind of counsel? ([24:02])
The story of the woman caught in adultery shows Jesus offering both mercy and a call to a new life. Is there someone in your life you have been quick to judge or condemn? What would it look like to extend mercy and understanding to them this week? ([32:04])
The sermon said that judging others harshly often comes from trusting ourselves more than God. Are there people or groups you tend to judge quickly? What is one practical way you can choose curiosity and compassion over criticism in your interactions this week? ([28:52])
When you face a big decision, what is your usual process? How could you intentionally include God’s Word, prayer, and the input of the Holy Spirit and other believers in your next important choice? ([24:02])

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you trust Him more than yourself, to seek His wisdom in every area of life, and to love others with the same mercy and truth that Jesus shows.

Sermon Clips

“It isn't enough to combat irritants. We must have discernment to recognize what is dangerous and what is harmless. The body makes the wrong call and it thinks that, you know, the trees or the flowers, it's a deadly disease that's really going to bring you down. And so it's got to fight it with a runny nose. And I wish it did not do that at all. Similarly, in today's passage, Jesus heads back to Jerusalem for the first time since he had proclaimed himself to be the Son of God and he had healed a man on the Sabbath day.”

“All of the Old Testament feasts and all of the Old Testament sacrifices and holy days, these were all pointing towards Jesus. So Passover would be the one that we are most familiar with. Every time we observe the Lord's table together as a church family, we remember Passover, the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine that we partake in together as we did, I think it was last week, if I remember correctly. And so we remember Passover and we think about Jesus and how he gave his life for us, just as the Passover lamb's life was given to cover over the children of Israel as they were leaving Egypt.”

“If Jesus walked into our church today, our thought should not be, I can't believe he interrupted our service. The point should be, yes, he is the point of all of it. However, that is not what Israel had in mind during this point.”

“The people that day in Jerusalem at the feast of shelters, the feast of tabernacles, they were faced with a judgment call. With a choice to determine whether Jesus should be believed or should be dismissed entirely. And today we are going to be called on to make a similar decision, to make our decisions based off of God's truth, not our truth. Make your decisions based off of God's truth, not your truth.”

“John tells us that they told him this because they didn't believe in him yet. They were taunting him, and though they had grown up with Jesus, they did not believe in Jesus. Maybe some of you have encountered this even in your life growing up. Maybe your parents brought you up in church. Maybe your grandma took you to church sometimes. But you have known about Jesus, but you have not experienced him as your Lord and Savior.”

“He says, I am sent from God and you don't know him and you're not listening to him because if you were listening to God, you would know that I have come from God. They actually try to grab him. They try to seize him at that point and are unsuccessful. And Jesus says, I'm only going to be here for a short time and then I'm going to go and where I'm going to go, you guys can't come.”

“On the most important day of the festival, Jesus says, I'm actually going to read this verse. Jesus stood up and cried out, if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me as the scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him. He said this about the Spirit.”

“You make the right call when you trust God. You make the right call when you trust God. Want to make a right decision? Don't rely on you. Rely on God and his son, his word, and his Holy Spirit.”

“If you hear nothing else from this message, you need to hear this. God loves you. You are alienated from him due to your sin. There is a cost that must be paid as a result of your sin. Jesus paid that price in full and is offering you rescue from the path of death and destruction that you're on back into the path of the light and life and love of God. Turn from your sin, from being the master in charge of your own life, and call on Jesus alone to forgive your sin and to be your Lord.”

“When you ask him to forgive you and you turn to him in faith as the one who is in charge of your life, you will be absolutely forgiven. Forgiven forever. You will have an eternal relationship with God as your father, and you will have God's Holy Spirit, his presence living in your life from that moment onward.”

“You can make every right decision in your life, but if you get this decision wrong, it'll all be pointless for your eternal state. Make the right choice first and foremost by trusting Jesus for salvation.”

“Here's the truth. You are not smart enough to handle your life, your finances, your relationships, or your spirituality on your own. How can I say that? that? Because that's true in my life. And because the word of God says so. God tells us that we all went astray like sheep. We all have turned to our own way. And scripture commands us, don't lean on your own understanding, but instead trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

“Everything that you have belongs to God and you are a manager, not an owner of what God has given you. So intentionally spend your money on the things God wants you to take care of, like your family, his church, your taxes, and your bills.”

“This week for your family relationships or for your friendships, you need to trust God's word when it tells you, let your speech always be gracious. You might want to yell at someone. You might want to insult someone, but that's not God's way. And you need to listen to God's word.”

“Trust the Spirit of God to guide you in each moment of your life. This is what Jesus was declaring, that as a result of what Jesus would accomplish for us on the cross, He would give us that living water, the Holy Spirit that would guide us into every area of our life.”

“Listen to God's Spirit speaking through actual people in your life, and listen to their warnings, their encouragements, their affirmations, and their rebukes. God didn't save you as a lone wolf. He saved you to be a part of a church family, and can I encourage you? Don't just always go to the people that agree with you.”

“Let the peace of Christ officiate in your heart when you're faced with the decision you have read the word, you've listened to the spiritual counsel of others, you've prayed your conscience isn't saying the decision is wrong go with the decision that God gives you peace for I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit's guidance and again that's not every way that the Holy Spirit guides us but those are some great ways.”

“We make the wrong call when we trust ourselves first we don't know everything so we are missing crucial details we see this in Jesus's half -brothers that they doubted Jesus we see this in the people that they doubted Jesus constantly they make fun of him for saying like you you're demon -possessed who's trying to kill you and they don't know another group of people that also doesn't believe Jesus because they don't think that he's from Bethlehem and they don't think he's the Messiah that they are actually trying to kill him so all these people have incomplete details and so they made the wrong judgment call about Jesus.”

“Don't seek to initially judge or criticize others. Don't trust your estimation of them or their actions because you don't know all the details. Be curious, not judging. And yes, that is a Ted Lasso quote in church. Seek to understand where others are coming from. Don't just seek to win over others.”

“Any time in my life or yours where we're like, I just know so -and -so is thinking this about me or they're plotting this, we are claiming to be a mind reader, and we're most likely wrong. Paul told the Corinthians, love thinks no evil about another. When you trust your reading of someone else's mind or motive, you're not operating in truth or facts, and any decision that you make based on someone else's assumed mind or motive is going to be a wrong decision.”

“The people at your workplace that you hate the most, the people in your neighborhood that you wish would move, the person a couple rows in front of you that you wish would take a long vacation. They are image bearers of God, people that Jesus desperately loves and they have lived lives with difficulties that you have never personally lived. They are fighting battles you may never have to face and God is calling on you not to judge and hate them or to be perpetually annoyed by them but to love them and share Jesus with them.”

“Jesus, he's just writing in the sand with his finger. Scripture doesn't tell us what he's writing. And they're like, what are we, what are we supposed to do? And he goes, the person that does not have any sin, let him be the first person to throw the stone at her to kill her. It says from the oldest all the way to the youngest, each of them went away one by one being convicted of knowing, oh yeah, I'm not perfect.”

“So in your life and my life, we're faced with a choice. Now, most of you will not be called on to be like a jury to determine someone's death this week. But within your life, within your family, in your workplace, in your neighborhood, in your church, you're going to be called on to make some judgment calls. Make the right call by trusting in God, not yourself. Listen to the Son of God for salvation. Let him be your Lord and your master. Listen to the word of God and listen to the spirit of God. As we do that, we're going to make the right call.”

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