There are typically four categories of people when it comes to making decisions. They are as follows:
1. The never-decided
This is the category of the doubleminds – they wobble between yes and no most of the time. They are unstable and unable to take a stand. Sometimes, it’s because they want to be aware and in control of the consequences of both a yes and no. At other times, they are simply uninterested in any outcome and just would rather go through life not bothered about consequences – just doing what they please, how they please, where they please and when they please.
Q: What do you think of today’s message?
Ans. I don’t know.
Q. What do you think about studying for the exam?
Ans. I don’t know.
What they fail to realise is that indecision is a decision in itself. When you fail to decide, you have decided not to, and other factors will decide for you. Except you are fine with whatever consequences that come later on, this is not the best category to belong to.
This was the case of Reuben in the Bible when his other siblings wanted to kill Joseph. Instead of using his position as the first son to save Joseph, he was between saving him and giving in to the demands of Joseph’s haters. His instability cost him his blessings.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, life is full of daily choices – from when you wake up, to what to wear, to when to go out and when to return, who to speak with and what to eat.
Constantly undecided people never make progress in their spiritual and physical lives because the choices that life makes for you may suit your skin in the interim but may never take you far.
2. The undecided
The undecided are an interesting group of people and variegated as well. In this category are people who may appear undecided but decide based on personal gains, even at the expense of other people. An example is Balaam in the Bible, which was apparently for God’s people, Israel, but was also attracted by the rewards of Balak. He pretended to be undecided while praying to God, but in his heart was already a decision to receive the material gains from King Balak.
In this category are people who are always indifferent. As long as the subject of discussion doesn’t affect them directly, they feign ignorance while others die. They are unstable and have no moral fibre though professing to be godly.
Q: What do you think about this policy against minorities?
Ans. I’m still thinking about it.
Q: There is ethnic cleansing going on in that part of the world. How can we help?
Ans. I don’t know. I’m still thinking about it.
Another example is the Jews who pretended to be undecided about following Jesus or not but would go against the truth once given the chance. Something happened in Luke 20:1-7, the scribes and chief priests asked Jesus by what authority he performed miracles. In response, Jesus asked them whether John’s baptism was from heaven or of men. These scribes and chief priests reasoned among themselves about the possible consequences of going in either direction (from heaven would get them entangled and saying from men could make them be stoned by the people around who regarded John as a prophet) and decided to remain undecided. In their hearts was the right answer, but on their tongue was indecision.
These can be the most dangerous set of people because you don’t know if they are your friends or your enemies. They can’t be trusted to stand by you in difficult moments or your absence; they are never loyal to anyone or cause except their belly. In this class are the lukewarm people, who want to please both sides of the aisle. They want to receive compliments from everyone instead of calling evil evil and good good.
Another example is Amnon who listened to his friend Jonadab. Amnon seemed undecided as to what to do with his sister, Tamar, but when his close friend gave an evil counsel that would satisfy his urge, Amnon quickly swung into action and raped his half-sister.
3. The negatively decided
These are always decided to be on the negative side of whatever happened, happens, or will happen. They have permanently chosen to be on the wrong side of the divide irrespective of multiple evidence to make them reconsider their stance. Sometimes, they cook up their own proofs to satisfy their delusions and quench the pricking of their conscience. These always make negative decisions. They could do it for personal gains or no apparent gains at all.
Q: The holocaust was horrific. We should be careful, so such antisemitism doesn’t return in places.
Ans. That’s the past, let’s leave it. The Jews caused what happened to them. There is so much evidence to show that.
Q: In Northern Nigeria, terrorists are going around killing Christians in thousands.
Ans: Who said so? Didn’t you see that Christians are hostile as well?
An extreme example is Satan who can never support good no matter what happens.
People who visit witch doctors and use charms against others may never gain anything from their evil escapades, but they delight in seeing the other person fall. They rejoice at the fall of others.
Another example is those who support political candidates based on tribe or race, although that candidate is evil. They would rather that everyone suffer than choose the right candidate. They would prefer an incompetent tribesman to a competent person from another tribe. Such are in the class of the negatively decided.
4. The positively decided
This is the right group to belong to. People who make their choice based on what is right irrespective of who ox is goad. They would rather lose money than go against their conscience. They could lose their job in defence of what is right. Their political ambition could be jeopardised because they stand for the truth, even against popular opinion.
In Psalm 15:4, the Bible tells us, who despises a vile person, but honours those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.
God is always on the side of the righteous and never on the side of the wicked, no matter what happens.
These people always choose to do the right thing irrespective of personal gain or loss. Their decision is based on righteousness, their value system and the general good. Such are people to emulate.
What do you think about this article? Which category are you in? Kindly share, and God bless you.
