Lot looked at the Jordan Valley, saw that it was well-watered, and chose it for himself.
Genesis 13:10–11 records the decision with no editorial comment, but the rest of the story provides the commentary.
Lot moved toward Sodom. Within a few chapters, he was sitting in its gate. Within a few more, he was running from it as fire rained down and his wife turned into a pillar of salt behind him.
One decision. A valley that looked green. A direction that seemed obvious. And decades of consequence that unfolded from a single moment of choosing based on what the eyes could see rather than what God had planned.
Proverbs 14:12 puts it plainly: there is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
The danger in decision-making is not usually the choice between something obviously good and something obviously bad.
It is the choice between something that looks right on the surface and something that actually is right underneath it.
Ask God First
1. If Any of You Lacks Wisdom, Let Him Ask God Who Gives Generously
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5, English Standard Version (ESV)
2. Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart and Lean Not on Your Own Understanding
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6, New International Version (NIV)
3. Commit Your Way to the Lord, Trust in Him, and He Will Act
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5, English Standard Version (ESV)
4. I Will Instruct You and Teach You in the Way You Should Go
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8, New International Version (NIV)
5. Call to Me, and I Will Answer You and Tell You Great and Hidden Things
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3, English Standard Version (ESV)
The Danger of Trusting Your Own Judgment
6. There Is a Way That Appears to Be Right, but in the End It Leads to Death
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12, King James Version (KJV)
7. The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9, English Standard Version (ESV)
8. The One Who Trusts in Himself Is a Fool, but the One Who Walks in Wisdom Will Be Kept Safe
“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” Proverbs 28:26, New International Version (NIV)
9. Do Not Be Wise in Your Own Eyes, Fear the Lord and Shun Evil
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” Proverbs 3:7, New International Version (NIV)
10. The Heart of Man Plans His Way, but the Lord Establishes His Steps
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9, English Standard Version (ESV)
Seek Counsel Before You Commit
11. Plans Fail for Lack of Counsel, but With Many Advisers They Succeed
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22, New International Version (NIV)
12. Without Guidance a Nation Falls but Victory Is Won Through Many Advisers
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” Proverbs 11:14, New International Version (NIV)
13. The Way of a Fool Is Right in His Own Eyes, but a Wise Man Listens to Advice
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15, English Standard Version (ESV)
14. Iron Sharpens Iron and One Person Sharpens Another
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17, New International Version (NIV)
15. Wounds From a Friend Can Be Trusted
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Proverbs 27:6, New International Version (NIV)
Let Scripture Filter the Options
16. Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet and a Light to My Path
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105, English Standard Version (ESV)
17. All Scripture Is God-Breathed and Useful for Teaching
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16, New International Version (NIV)
18. Do Not Conform to the Pattern of This World but Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2, New International Version (NIV)
19. Whatever Is True, Whatever Is Noble, Whatever Is Right, Think on These Things
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8, New International Version (NIV)
God Directs the Steps
20. The Steps of a Good Man Are Ordered by the Lord
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23, King James Version (KJV)
21. The Lord Himself Goes Before You and Will Be With You
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8, New International Version (NIV)
22. Whether You Turn to the Right or to the Left Your Ears Will Hear a Voice Saying This Is the Way
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21, New International Version (NIV)
23. We Walk by Faith Not by Sight
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7, English Standard Version (ESV)
When the Decision Has Been Made
24. Whatever You Do Work at It With All Your Heart as Working for the Lord
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23, New International Version (NIV)
25. He Who Began a Good Work in You Will Bring It to Completion
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6, New International Version (NIV)
26. We Know That in All Things God Works for the Good of Those Who Love Him
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28, New International Version (NIV)
27. No One Who Puts a Hand to the Plow and Looks Back Is Fit for the Kingdom of God
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:62, New International Version (NIV)
The Best Decisions in Scripture Were Made With Incomplete Information and Complete Trust
Joshua stood at the Jordan River with millions of people behind him and a flooded river in front of him, and God told the priests to step into the water before it parted.
Joshua 3:13 specifies: the water would not recede until the soles of their feet touched it. The stepping preceded the parting. The decision to obey came before the evidence that obedience would work.
Nehemiah had a secure position as cupbearer to a Persian king. He left it to rebuild a wall in a ruined city surrounded by enemies.
His assessment was not reckless. He prayed for months, asked the king for resources, inspected the wall at night before announcing the plan publicly, and organized the labor with military precision.
The decision was Spirit-led, but the execution was deliberate.
Abigail made a split-second judgment call to intercept David’s army with food and a speech, directly contradicting what her husband Nabal had decided.
First Samuel 25 records the outcome: David pulled back, Nabal died ten days later, and Abigail ended up married to the future king.
She read the situation faster than anyone around her, acted on the reading, and the decision saved her entire household.
Each of these people operated with limited visibility. None of them had the luxury of knowing how the decision would turn out before making it.
What they had was a relationship with God that had been cultivated long before the crossroads arrived, and that relationship produced the discernment they needed in the moment the decision could not wait.
What People Ask About Making Right Decisions
How do I make the right decision according to the Bible?
James 1:5 says ask God for wisdom. Proverbs 3:5–6 says trust God and submit to him rather than relying on personal understanding. Proverbs 15:22 says seek counsel from wise advisers. Psalm 119:105 says let Scripture guide your path. Romans 12:2 says a renewed mind can test and approve God’s will. Biblical decision-making combines prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, and the willingness to obey whatever direction God provides, even when it contradicts personal preference.
What does the Bible say about making wise choices?
Proverbs 12:15 says a wise person listens to advice while a fool trusts only their own perspective. Proverbs 14:12 warns that what seems right can lead to destruction. Proverbs 28:26 says trusting yourself is foolish, but walking in wisdom keeps you safe. Philippians 4:8 provides a filter for evaluating options: is it true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable? Wise choices in Scripture are marked by humility, counsel, and alignment with God’s revealed will.
Does God guide us in our decisions?
Psalm 32:8 records God promising to instruct, teach, and counsel. Isaiah 30:21 promises a voice saying This is the way. Psalm 37:23 says the steps of a righteous person are ordered by God. Proverbs 16:9 says God establishes steps even when human hearts make plans. John 16:13 says the Spirit guides into all truth. God actively participates in the decisions of people who seek his guidance, though the guidance often requires patience and attentiveness to receive.
What should I do when I can’t decide between two options?
Proverbs 15:22 says to seek counsel from multiple advisers. James 1:5 says ask God for wisdom without doubting. Proverbs 3:5–6 says to submit to God, and he will straighten the path. Colossians 3:15 says let the peace of Christ rule in your heart as you evaluate. When two options both appear viable, the biblical approach is sustained prayer, confirmation through Scripture, input from wise believers, and attention to which option produces peace versus anxiety.
Can God still use a wrong decision for good?
Romans 8:28 says God works all things together for good for those who love him. Genesis 50:20 records Joseph telling his brothers that God routed their harmful decision toward the preservation of many lives. Proverbs 16:9 says God establishes steps even within human plans. A wrong decision does not escape God’s sovereignty. He can redirect, redeem, and produce good from outcomes the person never intended, though seeking his guidance beforehand remains the wiser path.
God, Give Me the Discernment to Choose Right When the Options Look the Same From the Outside
Father, Proverbs 14:12 warns that wrong paths sometimes look exactly like right ones from where I am standing, and I do not trust my own ability to tell the difference. I am asking for the wisdom of James 1:5, not because I have earned it, but because you promised it to anyone who asks without wavering.
Where Proverbs 3:5 tells me to lean away from my own understanding, break the habit I have built of consulting you after the decision rather than before it, because the order matters more than I have been treating it.
And where Abigail read the room faster than anyone around her because her relationship with you had sharpened her instincts, build that same readiness in me. Not recklessness, but the trained discernment that knows which way to move when the moment arrives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.