Because You Don’t Have All The Answers

CORE PRACTICE #19: Consider the input and wisdom of others when making decisions.

A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. —Proverbs 1:5, NASB

Lauren

Jerry Clower was one of the funniest and most animated comedians in recent memory—and his jokes were clean! He was a follower of Christ who died in 1998, and he probably has God in stitches with a steady barrage of good jokes, punctuated with his famous laugh.

When speaking about serious matters, Jerry often shared a series of questions to help people who were trying to make a difficult decision. His formula can help all of us determine if we are moving in the right direction or if, as Jerry used to say, we are “fixin’ to mess up.”

When faced with a big decision, he suggested we ask these four questions:

1. Will God be pleased if I decide to do this thing?
2. Is it okay with me for others to see me doing it?
3. Will it hurt anyone?
4. How many people have I sought approval from to do it?

These are sound principles to apply to any decision. The fourth question deserves further discussion because we can all identify with that one. When we’re trying to make a decision, we may keep asking anyone with a pulse what they think we should do. Sometimes that’s a dead giveaway that we’re “fixin’ to mess up.” And while it’s a good idea to seek many counselors, I’ve found it’s a better idea to seek Christian counsel.

Yet if we ask, not because we’re looking for someone to affirm what we want to do but because we are honestly seeking the Lord’s direction, we’re on the right track. In today’s Scripture passage, King Solomon tells us that a seeker with that attitude will “increase in learning” and “acquire wise counsel.” Many godly people can provide the answers we need, and they can be trusted to advise us with our best interests in mind.

Charla and Armando Hernandez have become good friends of ours through our small group Bible study. Armando is an electrical contractor with a lot of experience with housing and residential construction. Charla has a great eye for decorating. She knows how to create an interior design that reflects the individual tastes and personality of the homeowner.

So it was very natural, as well as wise and right, to ask them their opinion when we were remodeling our home. Tony and I had a pretty good idea of what we wanted to do and why, but it was so comforting to have this couple who knew quite a bit more than we did to inform and guide us in the process. Many times during the remodeling, they told us to go with what we liked, but on other occasions they pointed out factors we would never have considered. Our home and family life are proof that we can all benefit from the wisdom and experience of “wise counsel.”

Adventure Application: What decision do you or your family need to make? Review Jerry Clower’s four questions for decision making, and then discuss how you might answer them in light of the options you are considering.