How to Know God's Will Before You Make a Big Decision | Pastor Justin Cooper

Main message: Before making decisions, pause to "prove" them—gather information, test them, consult Scripture and the Holy Spirit, and seek wise counsel—so you act in God's will rather than by impulse or emotion. The example is David refusing Saul's armor because he hadn't proved it.

Key points:

• Proving is the process (gathering evidence/testing); proof is the result — like an attorney preparing a case. Proverbs/Scripture repeatedly call Christians to examine and test before acting.
• David didn't wear Saul's armor because he hadn't proved it; instead he evaluated what worked (his sling), waited on God, and acted with peace and wisdom.
• Practical questions to ask before deciding: have I confessed sin, do I even need to decide, have I truly prayed about it, is it obviously good or evil, is the timing right, will it glorify God, will it harm others, is the Holy Spirit saying go or no, and have I sought wise counsel?
• Rushing, emotion-driven choices, shallow knowledge, and ignorance cause more damage to believers than external enemies; patience and discernment are essential.
• Scripture and being Spirit-filled (not merely feelings or convenience) should anchor decisions; when proven and approved, hold fast to what is good.

Scriptures mentioned: 1 Samuel 17:38, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Daniel 1, Philippians 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 John 4:1, Romans 12:1