The Man In the Mirror #33

In keeping with our theme of dealing with the man (or woman) in the mirror, we are going to continue discussing the building of important biblical character traits in your life, starting with the quality of decisiveness from "The Power for True Success" by the Institute in Basic Life Principles.

Decisiveness is choosing to do what is right based on accurate facts, wise counsel, and clearly defined goals.

--- Definition

To have the confidence that our decisions are wise and correct, we must seek out wise counsel, obtaining it as inexpensively as possible. Others have paid a high price for it through wrong decisions. They will usually give us the benefit of their experiences if we simply ask. They then gain some redemptive value for the pain and loss due to past mistakes.

Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."

Proverbs 15:22 says, "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."

Proverbs 19:20 says, "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise
in thy latter end."

Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."

Wise decision-making must be based on God's will, not on our own natural inclinations, because "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Therefore, God warns, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered."

Every decision that Jesus made was based on His Heavenly Father's will. He stated, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." God's will on a specific matter will be based on universal, non-optional principles of life that He established throughout all His creation and that He explains and illustrates in the Bible. These principles can be incorporated by asking the following questions when making a decision about a specific issue:

1. Is my use of resources consistent with the purposes for which God created them? (money, food, clothes, marriage, family, time, friends, etc.)

2. Whose jurisdiction am I under for this decision? (parents, employer, government, or church) Decisiveness must never violate the overall jurisdiction of God and the moral principles of His Word.

3. Can I make this decision with a clear conscience? Any caution from conscience or the counsel of authorities must also be considered.

4. Am I in harmony with all those involved in this decision? Decisions based on bitterness or anger are wrong and costly.

5. Have I yielded my rights on this matter? George Müller was a great man of faith and learned to understand the will of God in specific decisions. He explained that the secret was getting his own heart in such a state that he had no will of his own. A practical way to accomplish this is to list all of the benefits of each choice and to purpose to thank God for whatever choice He indicates is His will.

6. Will it weaken or damage anyone else? We are not to do anything that will cause a "weaker" brother to stumble, be offended, or be made weak. Because of this, we are to even "abstain from all appearance of evil."

7. Is this fulfilling God's calling on my life? God calls each believer to fulfill an important role in the advancement of His kingdom and the damage of Satan's kingdom. Every decision we make must be in harmony with these objectives. One's calling will involve praying for and serving all authorities with good works and assisting the fatherless and widows, as well as the poor and those from other nations. Our primary calling is given in the Great Commission: "Go