Biblical Decision Making: Learning from Peter's Example in John 21
Biblical Decision Making: Learning from Peter's Example in John 21
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
“Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – Jesus (John 15:5)
In martial arts, a fighter doesn’t freeze in a moment of combat waiting for a sign—they move with trained purpose. Every strike, every block, every step is informed by discipline and a deep connection to their teacher’s voice. In many ways, Christian decision-making follows the same principle. It’s not about waiting for a mystical feeling—it’s about walking in faithful obedience to what we already know from Scripture and the Spirit. Nowhere is this tension between waiting and acting more evident than in John 21, a quiet moment in Scripture that says much about how we live and lead after the resurrection.
The Setting: After the Resurrection, Before the Commission
John 21 opens in a moment of tension. Jesus has risen from the dead, but the disciples have not yet received their clear commission. They are in a holding pattern—grieving, hoping, uncertain of what comes next. There’s no strategy meeting, no angelic vision directing their next move. And in that liminal space, Peter says something simple: “I’m going fishing.”
This was no idle pastime. It was the trade he knew, a way to provide for himself and possibly for others while waiting for further instruction. The other disciples respond, “We’re coming too.” So they go. But all night, they catch nothing.
Was Peter Wrong to Go Fishing?
This one line—"I'm going fishing"—has sparked deep theological debate. Some scholars suggest Peter’s decision represents a lapse in faith, a return to his old way of life. Others argue that he acted wisely and responsibly, using the skills God gave him during a time of uncertainty.
The truth likely lives somewhere beyond our assumptions. At this moment in the narrative, the disciples had not yet received the Great Commission, and Peter still had practical responsibilities. As a husband and provider, he had every reason to return to work. Fishing was his trade. This wasn’t a vacation—it was an effort to sustain life while waiting for the next step. He may also have seen this as a way to prepare for future ministry, anticipating that when Jesus sent them out again, it would cost time, resources, and energy.
But whether Peter was right or wrong in his decision is not the point emphasized in the passage. What John records instead is that their labor produced nothing—until Jesus arrived on the shore.
Decision-Making Without God is Fruitless
The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus appears, unrecognized at first, and tells them to cast the net on the other side of the boat. When they obey, they haul in a miraculous catch—153 fish.
This moment teaches a profound truth: even our most well-intentioned efforts are empty without God’s involvement. It wasn’t the technique that made the difference. It wasn’t even the decision to fish. It was the presence and instruction of Jesus that turned futility into abundance.
Work is not the enemy. Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter for working. Instead, He uses the moment to reveal a truth Peter—and all of us—need to remember: nothing we do, no matter how noble or skilled, will bear fruit apart from Him.
Don’t Over-Spiritualize Every Decision
Many Christians fall into the trap of overspiritualizing their choices. Some wait for dramatic signs from heaven, delaying action until they feel a supernatural nudge. Others neglect practical responsibilities, assuming that faith alone should carry them. Still others may pray for provision while avoiding the hard work God has equipped them to do.
But from the beginning, God gave humanity the gift of work. In Eden, before the Fall, Adam was told to cultivate the garden. Labor isn’t a consequence of sin—it’s a calling. Scripture never pits spiritual devotion against faithful work. Rather, it calls us to work as unto the Lord, integrating our faith into every vocation.
Peter’s fishing, then, may not have been a spiritual misstep—it may have been faithful stewardship. The issue was not his choice to work, but the reminder that even good work needs God’s blessing to be truly fruitful.
A Biblical Framework for God-Honoring Decisions
So, how should Christians make decisions, especially when the path isn’t clear? Scripture offers a framework that is both simple and profound.
First, ask yourself: Is this decision biblical? That is, does it align with God’s revealed Word? Does it honor His character, uphold His commands, and glorify His name? Scripture must always be the foundation of godly decision-making. As Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” If a choice contradicts God’s truth—even if it feels right or looks good—it cannot carry His blessing. Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” God's will is never at odds with God's Word.
Next, examine your motives: Are my desires godly? This requires honest, Spirit-led self-reflection. Is the decision driven by selfish ambition, fear, or pride? Or is it flowing from love, humility, and a genuine desire to honor God and serve others? Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV) gives us a reliable test for checking our hearts: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” These are not just moral ideals—they are indicators of a heart surrendered to the Spirit. James 3:17 further clarifies, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Finally, consider your circumstances: Is there an open door? Has God provided an opportunity, a window of favor, or alignment in timing and resources? Sometimes He leads through circumstances, and while open doors alone don't guarantee His will, they often confirm His timing. Revelation 3:7 says, “He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” That means we must be discerning, watching for where God is at work and where He may be saying, “Not yet.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” A wise decision made outside of God’s timing can still bring unintended consequences. We are called to discern both direction and season.
In every stage of decision-making, our posture must remain deeply rooted in an ongoing relationship with God. This begins with prayer—not just occasional requests, but a continual conversation with the Lord, as Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.” Alongside prayer, we are called to seek the wisdom of others. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us that “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” God often speaks through the godly insight of mentors, friends, and spiritual leaders. As we pray and seek counsel, we are also called to delight ourselves in the Lord (Psalm 37:4), anchoring our desires in His presence and letting His character reshape what we long for. Finally, we are invited to trust completely in God's leading. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Together, these practices form a posture of surrender and expectation, guiding us not just to make good choices, but to walk closely with the One who leads us.
This framework—Scripture, motives, opportunity—is not a formula, but a way of walking in wisdom and dependence on God.
Live Prepared, Act with Faith
Just as a martial artist doesn’t throw a wild punch but moves with trained intention, so too should Christians make decisions. Our form—our spiritual habits—matter. Prayer, Scripture reading, wise counsel, and humble reflection train us to act with clarity and peace.
Consider your own life: Are you seeking God’s will in your decisions, or simply asking Him to bless choices you’ve already made? Are your motives truly centered on His glory, or are they shaped by fear or self-interest? Are you waiting passively, or working faithfully while listening for His direction?
God is not playing hide-and-seek with His will. He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people to guide us.
Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman
“Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – Jesus (John 15:5)
In martial arts, a fighter doesn’t freeze in a moment of combat waiting for a sign—they move with trained purpose. Every strike, every block, every step is informed by discipline and a deep connection to their teacher’s voice. In many ways, Christian decision-making follows the same principle. It’s not about waiting for a mystical feeling—it’s about walking in faithful obedience to what we already know from Scripture and the Spirit. Nowhere is this tension between waiting and acting more evident than in John 21, a quiet moment in Scripture that says much about how we live and lead after the resurrection.
The Setting: After the Resurrection, Before the Commission
John 21 opens in a moment of tension. Jesus has risen from the dead, but the disciples have not yet received their clear commission. They are in a holding pattern—grieving, hoping, uncertain of what comes next. There’s no strategy meeting, no angelic vision directing their next move. And in that liminal space, Peter says something simple: “I’m going fishing.”
This was no idle pastime. It was the trade he knew, a way to provide for himself and possibly for others while waiting for further instruction. The other disciples respond, “We’re coming too.” So they go. But all night, they catch nothing.
Was Peter Wrong to Go Fishing?
This one line—"I'm going fishing"—has sparked deep theological debate. Some scholars suggest Peter’s decision represents a lapse in faith, a return to his old way of life. Others argue that he acted wisely and responsibly, using the skills God gave him during a time of uncertainty.
The truth likely lives somewhere beyond our assumptions. At this moment in the narrative, the disciples had not yet received the Great Commission, and Peter still had practical responsibilities. As a husband and provider, he had every reason to return to work. Fishing was his trade. This wasn’t a vacation—it was an effort to sustain life while waiting for the next step. He may also have seen this as a way to prepare for future ministry, anticipating that when Jesus sent them out again, it would cost time, resources, and energy.
But whether Peter was right or wrong in his decision is not the point emphasized in the passage. What John records instead is that their labor produced nothing—until Jesus arrived on the shore.
Decision-Making Without God is Fruitless
The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. Then Jesus appears, unrecognized at first, and tells them to cast the net on the other side of the boat. When they obey, they haul in a miraculous catch—153 fish.
This moment teaches a profound truth: even our most well-intentioned efforts are empty without God’s involvement. It wasn’t the technique that made the difference. It wasn’t even the decision to fish. It was the presence and instruction of Jesus that turned futility into abundance.
Work is not the enemy. Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter for working. Instead, He uses the moment to reveal a truth Peter—and all of us—need to remember: nothing we do, no matter how noble or skilled, will bear fruit apart from Him.
Don’t Over-Spiritualize Every Decision
Many Christians fall into the trap of overspiritualizing their choices. Some wait for dramatic signs from heaven, delaying action until they feel a supernatural nudge. Others neglect practical responsibilities, assuming that faith alone should carry them. Still others may pray for provision while avoiding the hard work God has equipped them to do.
But from the beginning, God gave humanity the gift of work. In Eden, before the Fall, Adam was told to cultivate the garden. Labor isn’t a consequence of sin—it’s a calling. Scripture never pits spiritual devotion against faithful work. Rather, it calls us to work as unto the Lord, integrating our faith into every vocation.
Peter’s fishing, then, may not have been a spiritual misstep—it may have been faithful stewardship. The issue was not his choice to work, but the reminder that even good work needs God’s blessing to be truly fruitful.
A Biblical Framework for God-Honoring Decisions
So, how should Christians make decisions, especially when the path isn’t clear? Scripture offers a framework that is both simple and profound.
First, ask yourself: Is this decision biblical? That is, does it align with God’s revealed Word? Does it honor His character, uphold His commands, and glorify His name? Scripture must always be the foundation of godly decision-making. As Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” If a choice contradicts God’s truth—even if it feels right or looks good—it cannot carry His blessing. Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” God's will is never at odds with God's Word.
Next, examine your motives: Are my desires godly? This requires honest, Spirit-led self-reflection. Is the decision driven by selfish ambition, fear, or pride? Or is it flowing from love, humility, and a genuine desire to honor God and serve others? Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV) gives us a reliable test for checking our hearts: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” These are not just moral ideals—they are indicators of a heart surrendered to the Spirit. James 3:17 further clarifies, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Finally, consider your circumstances: Is there an open door? Has God provided an opportunity, a window of favor, or alignment in timing and resources? Sometimes He leads through circumstances, and while open doors alone don't guarantee His will, they often confirm His timing. Revelation 3:7 says, “He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” That means we must be discerning, watching for where God is at work and where He may be saying, “Not yet.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” A wise decision made outside of God’s timing can still bring unintended consequences. We are called to discern both direction and season.
In every stage of decision-making, our posture must remain deeply rooted in an ongoing relationship with God. This begins with prayer—not just occasional requests, but a continual conversation with the Lord, as Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.” Alongside prayer, we are called to seek the wisdom of others. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us that “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” God often speaks through the godly insight of mentors, friends, and spiritual leaders. As we pray and seek counsel, we are also called to delight ourselves in the Lord (Psalm 37:4), anchoring our desires in His presence and letting His character reshape what we long for. Finally, we are invited to trust completely in God's leading. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Together, these practices form a posture of surrender and expectation, guiding us not just to make good choices, but to walk closely with the One who leads us.
This framework—Scripture, motives, opportunity—is not a formula, but a way of walking in wisdom and dependence on God.
Live Prepared, Act with Faith
Just as a martial artist doesn’t throw a wild punch but moves with trained intention, so too should Christians make decisions. Our form—our spiritual habits—matter. Prayer, Scripture reading, wise counsel, and humble reflection train us to act with clarity and peace.
Consider your own life: Are you seeking God’s will in your decisions, or simply asking Him to bless choices you’ve already made? Are your motives truly centered on His glory, or are they shaped by fear or self-interest? Are you waiting passively, or working faithfully while listening for His direction?
God is not playing hide-and-seek with His will. He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people to guide us.
Obedience Brings Clarity
When Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets again, it wasn’t because they hadn’t tried hard enough—it was because they hadn’t yet responded to His voice. The catch came after obedience, not before.
This is the call for us as well. Biblical decision-making is not about passively waiting for mystical signs. It’s about faithfully seeking God, aligning our hearts with His truth, and acting with integrity and trust.
As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” In context, He was talking about daily needs—food, clothing, shelter. But the principle holds true: when we prioritize God’s kingdom, our decisions—big or small—begin to align with His purposes.
So don’t wait for a perfect feeling. Don’t fear every fork in the road. Instead, walk closely with Christ, and trust that He will lead you. He always has. He always will.
When Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets again, it wasn’t because they hadn’t tried hard enough—it was because they hadn’t yet responded to His voice. The catch came after obedience, not before.
This is the call for us as well. Biblical decision-making is not about passively waiting for mystical signs. It’s about faithfully seeking God, aligning our hearts with His truth, and acting with integrity and trust.
As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” In context, He was talking about daily needs—food, clothing, shelter. But the principle holds true: when we prioritize God’s kingdom, our decisions—big or small—begin to align with His purposes.
So don’t wait for a perfect feeling. Don’t fear every fork in the road. Instead, walk closely with Christ, and trust that He will lead you. He always has. He always will.
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