Avoiding Bad Decisions

In 1962, Brian Epstein, manager of a then-unknown rock and roll band called The Beatles, arranged for the band to audition for Decca Records producer Tony Meehan. A tape was made of the audition and, one month later, that audition tape was heard by Dick Rowe, an executive at Decca Records. Dick Rowe made a decision that day he would soon live to regret. He turned down the opportunity to sign The Beatles, saying, “Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein.” It was also reported that Rowe said, “Not to mince words, Mr. Epstein, but we don’t like your boys’ sound.” The Beatles signed with the Parlophone label of EMI Records and went on to become one of the, if not the, most popular rock and roll bands ever. And Dick Rowe went on to be known as the record company executive who made one of the worst decisions ever.

Throughout our lives, we likely will make millions of decisions, some trivial and minor, but some that may have a great impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. Sometimes the decision we make will be a good one, and we will look back and feel happy that we made that decision. That’s how I feel about having made a decision to follow Jesus. I’m sure that you can look at some decisions you have made in life and know that they were good ones. A good decision is usually the right decision. But have you ever made the wrong decision? A bad decision that you eventually came to regret? I know I have. It’s probably safe to say that all of us have made a bad decision at least once in our lives.

Mark Twain once said, “Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.” It’s true that experience helps us to make good decisions at times and we can definitely learn from making a bad decision. But, sometimes even experience doesn’t keep us from making bad decisions. Sometimes bad decisions are made because we just don’t have enough knowledge, we have a lack of wisdom. But how do we get wisdom? The answer to that question is found in the letter of James.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

The wisdom that we need to help us to make good decisions comes from God. All we need to do is ask for it. God is more than willing to give us the wisdom to make the right decisions in life. But it’s important that when we ask Him for it, we ask in faith. We must believe that He will give us that wisdom and not doubt (James 1:6), for if we doubt that we will receive that wisdom from God, it will be like a self-fulfilling prophecy. We will not receive it.

Do you want to make the right decisions in life? Go to the source of wisdom. Seek God’s guidance. If we seek His guidance and His wisdom, by studying His Word and seeking Him in prayer, bad decisions in our lives will be greatly reduced!