To 'purpose in the spirit' is to 'make plans in the spirit' (Acts 19:21-22 KJV/NKJV). The apostle Paul at that time 'purposed in the spirit' to go to Jerusalem & Rome. So, what did Luke, the writer of the book of Acts meant by 'purposing in the spirit' here? The word ‘purpose’ in this verse is ‘tithemi’ in Greek. It actually means ‘to place a plan before the Lord (in a passive & horizontal posture)’. It can also mean ‘to commit a plan before the Lord (for an approval)’, or ‘to lay a plan before God, or to put forth a plan before God’.
Decision-making involves making choices. Are you in a time when you needed to make a choice (in spiritual ministry, a career move, a business decision, in relationships, in a family, in investments, a career change, a new venture, or even in buying a property)? Or have you reached a point of stagnancy, and you've been asking yourself "What now?" or "So, what's next for me?", or everything seems to be within your 'fingertips' at the moment and you felt there's 'more than this' in life? Beloved, whatever it may be, God is definitely interested in your life & in your future, and He's here to help you.
From my own experience, I'd like to share with you some general guidelines in a decision-making process:
1. 1. Keep doing what you are doing now (Acts 19:21-22) while 'waiting'. Paul, in purposing in his spirit to go to Jerusalem & then Rome, stayed on in Asia (where he was) 'for a time' (Acts 19:22), while waiting for his ‘in due time’.
2. 2. Put yourself on ‘neutral’ gear (Acts 19:21-22). This is what the word 'tithemi' means. Avoid any presumption, or ‘shooting first before you aim’.
3. 3. Seek further sign or confirmation (Matthew 1:18-20). Joseph was deciding what to do with Mary upon finding out that she’s pregnant 'before they came together'. At that time, Mary was only betrothed (engaged, but not yet married) to Joseph. An angel then appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit".
4. 4. Wait for approval (from the Lord). 'Timing' is very important. Learn to wait on the Lord (Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8, Acts 1:13-14, Acts 2:1). Don’t be hasty (or 'plunge' into something before time). It's important to wait for the right timing, and not 'before' or 'after'. In fact, waiting time is never a waste of time. It’s a preparation time, a time of 'building in the spirit' before the time comes. Peter and the other apostles waited until the right time. And when the time came (the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost), Peter preached a sermon and 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2:41) then & there!
Pa May every decision you make bring with it much joy & favor!
