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A tripod is designed for strength and stability. The same is true of a three-strand cord. It’s an effective design! Because I live in a vortex of responsibility where decision making is critical, I’m always contending for a process that will significantly increase the likelihood of making good ones. Liabilities always lurk around decision making, so it’s really important that we don’t compromise sound principles.

In the third chapter of Genesis, Eve was confronted by the serpent and was thrust into a situation where her response to the moment demonstrated a serious deficiency of counsel and spiritual sensitivities. She allowed Satan’s influence to undermine what God had told her. The results were catastrophic.

Decisions we make can result in minor or major ramifications. The book of Proverbs provides for me three important principles that make up a sound approach to making good decisions:

  • Wise counsel comes first. (Proverbs 15:22)
  • Accurate information is important. (Proverbs 19:2)
  • Spiritual discernment is most important. (Proverbs 3:6)

Try that trio of recommendations on for size. If you examine biblical examples of poor decision making (King David with Bathsheba, King Amaziah, Joshua and the Gibeonites, etc.), you will discover over and over the absence of a thorough process that would have prevented enormous, negative consequences.

Ask yourself: Have I consulted godly leadership and given them a true invitation to speak into the decision? Have I taken time to honestly open my mind and heart to all of the information—or have I already made up my mind and am justifying my decision? And finally: Have I intently been listening for the voice of the Lord?

Learn from the mistakes of this sinful man (me) who has made too many lifetime decisions in the dark, without counsel and without spiritual sensitivity. I intentionally remember the pain of those decisions—and I use it as a constant reminder of the need to take a few more steps in the process.

The plans of a man are many, but God determines the outcomes! (see Proverbs 19:21)

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

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By: Glenn Burris Jr., general supervisor

served as the president of The Foursquare Church from 2009-2020.
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