Seven Biblical Principles To Fortify Faith Series

There are seven vital Principles that Fortify Faith: Decisiveness, Diligence, Determination, Dedication, Discipline, Dependence and Discernment.

Bible Reference (Colossians 2:6-7, James 1: 8, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Proverbs 4:23, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Romans 12:1, 1 Timothy 4:7, John 15:5, 1 Corinthians 2:15)

1. The Principle of Decisiveness

“But test everything; hold fast what is good.”(1 Thessalonians 5:21) “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. “(James 1: 8)

Decisiveness is one of the most sought-after qualities in a business environment. Firm, wise decisions can make the difference between success and failure, prosperity or austerity. Decisiveness is defined as the ability to make right decisions at the right time, confidently and devoting all our energy to a course of action which we know is right. “Decisiveness is choosing to do what is right based on accurate truth, wise counsel, and clearly defined goals”. The Bible does provide us with some solid biblical principles upon which we can make sound decision. The Berean Christians were said to be more "fair-minded" than their Thessalonians contemporaries because they "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). There’s an important principle for all of us in Acts 17:11:God wants us to listen thoughtfully and critically to Bible teaching, taking care to evaluate the teaching based on personal examination of Scripture.Note that the people who were more fair-minded and who received the word with all readiness and who then searched the Scriptures daily.

God doesn’t just want you to wonder about Him. He wants you to know and understand Him. God wants to be part of our decision process and His counsel is vital. To leave Him out by ignoring prayer and the truths of Scripture denies us the privilege of God's perspective, which He is always willing to share. When we genuinely make a decision to follow God, He will truly be on our side to help us in time of need.

Decisiveness is the ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Decisiveness is a key element of any successful endeavor. Our greatest decision in life is to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, then become like Him, the infallible standard of good character. Bible says “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

Decisiveness is focusing on our destination, rather than focusing on distractions. Consider how people in the Bible manifested the quality of decisiveness and called on others to decide. At the end of Moses’ life, he challenged Israel: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants” (Deuteronomy 30:19). They needed to choose, they needed to decide on these life matters. We also see that toward the end of Joshua’s life, he said to Israel, “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Joshua didn’t hesitate to state firmly his resolve to serve the Lord God of Israel and he called on them to do the same. When Daniel was carried to Babylon as a slave, he was faced with a choice of whether to fit in to the King’s requirements or whether to choose God’s righteous standard. The record says that “Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine which he drank” He predetermined that he would obey God, whatever the cost. Make right decision and do right because it is the right thing to do.

2. The Principle of Diligence:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

According to the Dictionary, diligence is “careful attention, unremitting application, and persistent endeavor.” A diligent person is described as “assiduous, industrious, conscientious, thorough; not idle, not negligent, not lazy.” The Bible has a lot to say about diligence. Why Does God Prize It? God values diligence in His people, as evidenced by the numerous references to diligence in the book of Proverbs. Here are a few examples: “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” (12:24) “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty”. (14:2) “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” (13:4) see also Proverbs 31 -- Colossians 4:12-13. Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (that is, whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability). Jesus tells us, “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing”—and not caught in idleness (Matthew 24:46). So Jesus expects responsibility and conscientiousness from us. He emphasizes this in Luke 16:12: “And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?”