The Daily Devotional
Monday, July 21, 2025
Decisions Before the Moment
And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless. (Philippians 1:9–10)
Introduction
Each day brings decisions—some small, some monumental. The Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Philippians reminds us that spiritual discernment is not a passive gift but something that grows alongside our love, knowledge, and insight. Paul doesn’t just pray that we love more—he prays that our love will be intelligent and discerning, helping us to choose what is best, not just what is good or convenient.
Reflection
Imagine you're walking through a grocery store, and the cashier hands you change for a twenty when you only gave a ten. No one else notices. Your first thought might be, "God is blessing me!" But then comes the internal nudge: Is this the right thing to accept?
This everyday scenario—seemingly trivial—is a moment of moral decision, one that reveals whether discernment has been cultivated ahead of time. If you’ve previously considered honesty, even when it costs something, you’re better prepared to act rightly in the moment. Just like a firefighter drills countless times before entering a burning building, so must we practice discernment before we’re thrown into moral flames.
Application
Ask yourself today: Am I preparing now for the challenges I might face later? Whether it’s responding to gossip, handling unexpected money, or navigating moral gray areas at work or online, your ability to “determine what is best” is shaped not in the heat of temptation but in the quiet moments of prayer, study, and wise counsel.
Begin to cultivate a habit of asking God, “What would please You most in this situation?”—even when the pressure isn't on. Over time, this spiritual muscle strengthens, helping you face bigger tests with grace and clarity.
Conclusion
Discernment doesn’t fall from the sky like sudden inspiration—it is formed slowly, through love, learning, and intentional living. God doesn’t just want us to know right from wrong; He wants us to desire what is best, what is pure, what reflects His heart. When we live with this kind of preparation, we begin to move through our days with purpose, not panic.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank You for the promise that we can grow in love and discernment. Help me today to walk with a heart that longs to please You, even in the small decisions. Train my thoughts to seek Your wisdom before the moment of choice arrives. Surround me with wise counsel, fill me with Your Word, and shape my desires to reflect Your will. In each decision I face—whether it’s how I spend, how I speak, or how I love—let me do so with integrity and purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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