Pastor Josh continues the School of Hard Knocks series by walking us through one of life’s toughest and most practical topics: decision-making. He reminds us that while we all make mistakes, Scripture gives us warning signs—dashboard indicators—that can help us pause before making decisions we regret. Wise decisions often come from awareness, humility, and surrender to the Holy Spirit.

Key Points:

1. Pause the Decision if You’re in Isolation

Making decisions alone often leads to unwise choices.

Wise people seek counsel and invite input from godly others.

If you find yourself isolated, it's time to get into community.

2. Pause the Decision if It’s Fueled by Young Love or Lust

Romantic passion can cloud judgment.

Like King David with Bathsheba, love and lust can lead to devastating consequences.

Don’t let emotions override godly convictions and wisdom.

3. Pause the Decision if You’re Exhausted or Frustrated

Emotional burnout leads to reactive and short-sighted choices.

Elijah, after a spiritual victory, made poor assumptions out of fear and fatigue.

If you’re tired, wait—rest, pray, and regain perspective.

4. Pause the Decision if It’s Driven by Comparison or Competition

Decisions made to keep up with others (or outshine them) often veer off course.

Paul warns us not to compare ourselves, but to live with integrity and personal conviction.

Seek God’s direction—not public approval.

5. Pause the Decision if It Contradicts a Former Conviction

If you're moving moral boundaries that you once held firmly, ask why.

Compromise often comes through convenience and community pressure.

Paul calls us to spiritual maturity, not to be tossed around by culture.

Pastor Josh ends by urging us not just to make better decisions, but to make Spirit-led ones. The best decisions flow from full surrender to Jesus as Lord. And if we’ve rationalized our way into bad choices, the way out is repentance—placing Jesus back on the throne of our hearts.