Should we guide our actions with the question, 'What would Jesus do (WWJD)?'

TL;DR:

It is good to ask what Jesus would do in any given situation, but it is equally important to seek the answer in the right place. Asking, “What would Jesus do” should lead us to seek and obey God’s Word in the power of His Spirit.

what does the bible say?

The Bible does not specifically tell us to ask ourselves the WWJD question. Since we are flawed human beings who are still prone to sin and who are certainly not Jesus, it is dangerous to assume we would know what Jesus would do. Even while Jesus was on earth, His actions often surprised others. Rather than relying on this question, a better question to ask is this: “Is what I am wanting to do in alignment with God’s Word and a heavenly minded perspective?” This line of thought is what Jesus commends from His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5—7; see specifically 6:33). The Bible clearly lays out what is sin (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Anything that goes against God’s standards, we shouldn’t do. For less clear situations, we must learn to seek God’s will through wisdom, understanding, applying, and obeying the underlying principles of His Holy Word (James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 2:10–16) by the power of His Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16–18, 22–26).

from the old testament

Following Jesus is specifically addressed in the New Testament, but the underlying principle of the heart God wants us to have is covered even in the Old Testament. Many people think the Old Testament is more about following rules and laws than about obedience driven by love. But the goodness of God is manifested in the laws He gave His people. For example, the Lord sends the prophet Micah to chastise Israel’s corruption, which included social evils: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Underlying all Old Testament Law was this principle (which Jesus later iterates in the New Testament): “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Another important principle underlying so many Mosaic Laws is love for neighbor: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18).

from the new testament

In Matthew 22, Jesus sums up the two most important commandments: “. . . You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (vv. 37-40). Keeping just these two commandments in mind would help us live in a way that pleases God.
When we love God, we want to obey Him (John 14:15), which means getting to know Him and His moral will for our lives through His word (John 5:39; Romans 15:4).
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5—7) gives us good guidelines for our actions, but the sermon can be summed up in one command: "… seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). Every decision we make should be done from a godly, eternal-minded perspective.
We must learn to be led by the Holy Spirit to know what to do in a given situation (Galatians 5:16–18, 22–26). When we know God's word and keep in step with His Holy Spirit who resides in us, we are more apt to live the way Jesus would have us live.
We should also pray for wisdom (John 1:5).

implications for today

Assuming that we can answer the question, WWJD is presumptuous. Among a group of people presented with a similar situation will be different responses for what each thinks Jesus would do. Since Christ sees everything about every situation, including what we cannot see, we must ask Him what to do rather than assume it.

This is why knowing and living by God's Word is so important. The more we know what God has revealed through His word, the less time it will take to discern His will in a given situation. In especially “gray” situations that we can’t find clear answers to from His Word, we should pray to God and rely heavily on the Holy Spirit to guide us.

WWJD may initially seem like a good guide for our actions, but a much better question is, "What has Jesus said for me to do from His Word?" and praying “Father, please help lead me through your Holy Spirit to make a wise decision.” This question and prayer avoid assuming we have the answer to what Jesus would do based on our own flawed, human perspective. If we want to lead godly lives, we must truly seek Jesus' will—not assume we already know it.

understand

The WWJD question can presume we can enter into Jesus’ mind, which is a foolish presumption.
We should seek what Jesus would have us do by seeking His will through His Word.
Praying for wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit can lead us to live in a way that honors God.

reflect

When you’re faced with a dilemma, what help do you seek?
What are some decisions you’ve made in which Scripture guided you to act differently from your initial reaction?
What biblical advice/passage has been most helpful to you when it comes to decision-making?

engage

How can Christians avoid being drawn into popular advice that may not be biblical?
What are some ways that Christians can engage the culture about the topic of decision-making?
How does Christian decision-making contrast with worldly decision-making?