Decision-Making and Wisdom

We always make decisions, from when we wake up to when we go to bed. It is estimated that, on average, we (adults) make 35000 conscious decisions throughout the day.

The decision often implies choosing a particular choice and ignoring other options. Each decision carries some consequences, good or bad. How do we make a choice based on our decision-making?

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illustration for decision-making

This is where Wisdom comes into play. And the book of Proverbs (in the Bible), I believe, provides the best explanation. The chapter that explained Wisdom to me and what is all about is the following:

1

Does not Wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

2

At the highest point along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3

beside the gate leading into the city,

at the entrance, she cries aloud:

4

“To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

5

You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]

6

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right.

7

My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

8

All the words of my mouth are just;

none of them is crooked or perverse.

9

To the discerning, all of them are right;

they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

Verses 1 and 2 were the keys to understanding Wisdom. They depict where Wisdom stands. I envisioned this as one path that splits into two, with a tower high alongside the one path. Wisdom stands at the top of that tower and shouts to people which direction to take.

What do you see if you stand on top of a tower? You see the entire or some of the path and its decisions. Vision becomes clearer the upper you go on the building.

In verse 3, Wisdom states that it is calling from the gate leading into the city. And we can see that what is in the city is not seen from the entrance, the different paths of the town — the whereabouts and goto section of the city.

In these two images, detailed in Proverbs, it is a call to seek Wisdom in our decision-making. Wisdom sees the results or consequences of each path and tells you which one to take to save your life, be happy in life, or have a successful life.

When we make decisions, we are often oblivious to the consequences and tend to look at the implications from a happy outlook.

The call of Wisdom is to look at the consequences of our decision-making. This is where the fear of the Lord comes into play. If our decision-making reflects the fear of the Lord, our decision-making also reflects that. We will rest assured that we have made a good decision and should be at ease concerning the consequences.

When we start looking at the consequences of our decision from the lens of the fear of the Lord, we ask ourselves questions such as If I go along this path, will I break God’s commandment or principle?

The last question requires studying God’s principles and commandments to apply them in analyzing the consequences of one’s decisions.

How do you question your decision-making?

You question your path based on the truth or what is right (verse 6). You question your decision based on what is just and not crooked (verse 8). You question your choices and whether the consequences will lead you to disobey the word of God. This is what it means to live by the fear of the Lord.

Thank you for reading.