God’s Word informs us of what we need to do to ensure that we make wise and godly decisions. (Be sure to read: Biblical Tips for Decision-Making) The question we must ask is if our personalities are getting in the way of biblically-based decisions. We need to get beyond ourselves when making decisions and align with God and His Word.
Let’s heed the warning, “Do not be wise in your own eyes” (Prov. 3:7). Rather, “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:6-7). We do that as we come under the guidance of His Word which “is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Ps. 119:105).
Understand How Your Personality Can Affect Decision-Making
When we understand how our personalities might sway decision-making, we can take a step back and recalculate where needed.
- Are you very analytical? (melancholic, C in DISC)
If so, your decisions will tend to be well thought through but you could slow down the process by too much deliberation and frustrate others because of it if not careful.
- Are you more intuitive, going by feelings or circumstances? (sanguine, I in DISC)
If so, you might not be getting all the facts in making decisions and miss the mark.
- Do you tend to make rash decisions? (choleric, D in DISC)
If so, your decisions might at times be a bit premature, sometimes what God wants eventually, but not always, and you could ignore the wise input of others if not careful.
- Do you tend to put off making decisions? (phlegmatic, S in DISC)
If so, your procrastination could make decisions a bit late for averting unnecessary problems or more work than necessary.
- Do you tend to look for creative alternatives? (melancholic, C in DISC)
If so, you can bring some fresh ideas to the table but must learn to release those ideas to God and not sulk if they aren’t used.
- Do you tend to look for what works in the moment? (sanguine, I in DISC)
If so, you might be missing the big picture effect of your decisions.
- Do you tend to look for what conforms to what you’ve done in the past? (phlegmatic, S in DISC)
If so, you might get stuck in traditions and miss out of where God wants to take you.
- Do you tend to want to take risks? (choleric, D in DISC)
If so, you might experience new and innovative ideas but need to make sure it’s a faith risk guided by God.
- Do you tend to want to play it safe? (phlegmatic, S in DISC)
If so, you might avoid conflict and danger but you might also be failing to exercise faith in God’s ability to do the extraordinary.
- Do you tend to aggressively stand up for your decisions, debating any who oppose you? (choleric, D in DISC)
If so, you might get your way but in the process alienate people.
- Do you tend to quickly cave in to those who oppose you? (phlegmatic, S in DISC)
If so, you might be putting people’s desires above God’s in your compromising.
Decisions Aligned with God and His Word are So Much Better
We need to acknowledge how our personalities might negatively or positively affect the decision-making process and follow a process that is biblically based. That kind of decision making aligns with God and His ways. He assures us that “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9). Our ways may seem good but His ways are so much better.
What are you using as a grid for making decisions? What guides your decision-making process?
More in the Train Church Leaders Practicum: Decision-Making