The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. – Proverbs 14:15

The word simple here refers to the person who doesn’t make the time of effort to think carefully about a situation or decision. If we want to make good decisions we have to ensure that we are taking the time to think through all the possible consequences before we follow through with it.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 NIV

We shouldn’t make fun of those who don’t agree with what we believe but we should always examine everything checking their words against the Bible. We can be on dangerous ground if we disregard what a person says if they speak the truth. Instead we should carefully check out what people say and except what is true and reject what is false.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.- Acts 17:11 ESV

So how do you evaluate sermons and teachings? The people in Berea open the Scriptures for themselves and searched for truths to verify or disprove the message they heard. Always compare what you hear with what the Bible says.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15

This verse was written in response to Christians who were afraid of suffering for Christ. Peter encourage them to be ready to give an answer to defend their faith. In order to be ready to give an answer, you have to think about the people who you are speaking to and think of how you can answer their questions in the best possible way to represent Christ. This involves gathering information on who you are talking to, analyzing all the details you have and thinking about the best possible response from every perspective. This is critical thinking.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. – Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the application of knowledge and knowledge is gained through understanding. In order to understand a particular thing we have to think about it from all perspectives and consider all possible outcomes. This is why I believe this verse says “with all thy getting, get understanding”. Understand from all perspectives.

The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. – Proverbs 19:8 NIV

If you want to prosper in anything that you do you have to get a good understanding about it. In order to have a good understanding about anything you need to spend time thinking about it and know how it works together with everything else connected to it.

Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. – Proverbs 22:17-18 NIV

One way to apply critical thinking to your decisions is to think and remember what wise people have said about those similar decisions. Think back to when you were in high in school University and remember what wise people have said about the specific decisions that you need to make and you can apply those same principles to what you were doing in order to make the best possible decision.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. – Isaiah 1:18-20

One great way to develop on our critical thinking ability is to talk to great critical thinkers. In this verse, God encourages Israel to talk to him about their sin. So what happens when we try talk with God?? In Isaiah 55:9 it says “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Though our human minds are not capable to reach the same intellectual capacity as God, by having regular fellowship with God will cause us to think at a higher level.