Decisiveness
Key Verse
The operational definition of decisiveness is “the ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God.” Did you know that you probably make thousands of decisions every day? Some decisions are as simple as when to brush your teeth. Other choices are more difficult, such as what to do when the cashier returns too much change from your purchase. Decisiveness involves the skills of discerning the factors of a situation, listening to the Lord’s leading, and confidently knowing and making the choice that would bring the best results. You know the excess money does not belong to you, so you return the extra change to the cashier. This difficult yet correct decision honored the Lord, and inwardly you know you chose rightly. “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
The opposite of decisiveness is double-mindedness. Double-mindedness is wavering between two opposing opinions or options. Often, those two “minds” are God’s way versus our way. We are pulled away from God’s way by what we want to do. The Bible describes a double-minded person as a friend of the world and, therefore, an enemy of God! (See James 4:4, 8.) You may
struggle because you do not truly believe that His will is best. For example, you know you should confess if you break a lamp because you disobeyed your parents’ instruction to not throw a ball inside the house. But you want to hide your guilt and avoid punishment! Your thoughts are tossed back and forth like the waves of the sea. (See James 1:8.) Your father has taught you to always admit wrongdoing. So, your decision to humbly confess brings correction, repair of the lamp, and right standing with your dad and the Lord. Your faith in God’s ways is strengthened, and you grow in your desire to choose His will. God delights to work in our hearts both to will and to do what is best! (See Philippians 2:13.) Peace will fill your heart and confirm your decision as you walk in God’s ways.
Evaluation Questions
- Do I take time to gather pertinent information and seek counsel before making a decision?
- Do my choices reflect that I serve the Lord with my time, energy, and creativity?
- Do I allow popular opinion to affect my decisions?
- Does my family discuss difficult situations with me to help prepare me to make right decisions?
- Have I studied God’s Word to decide where I personally stand on controversial issues?
- When God directs me to wait on a decision, am I patient? Or do I rush ahead so the decision is behind me as quickly as possible?
- Do I often procrastinate in making a decision, hoping someone else will decide for me?
- When a difficult decision is before me, do I first seek God’s wisdom through prayer and fasting?
More About Decisiveness
God enables me to:
Gather accurate information.
Commit to do right.
Choose wisely.
Avoid double-mindedness.
Keep going.
Not look back.
Do what I say I will do.
Make the right decision and hold to it.
Examine things before making a decision.
Resist peer pressure.
Decisiveness in Scripture
The Ephesians Burn Their Evil Books
Revealed in Nature
Badger
For Kids
Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum
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Free Resources for Decisiveness
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