GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 11:31
Decision Making
There are times when one is faced with a dilemma, a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is unambiguously acceptable or preferable, often referred to as being “on the horns of a dilemma” to distinguish it from other kinds of predicaments. Some of these situations are mild—should I have cake or pie?—while others are major—should I purchase this house or that house?
Early on, one develops strategies for dealing with these dilemmas, or one may sit forever, never making a decision. I read a nonsensical story about a woman who was pregnant with twins. The delivery time came and went. At month ten, the physician decided it was time to perform a Caesarean section. When he reached the fetuses, one was saying, “After you.” The other was saying, “No, after you.” Silly, but illustrative.
In the Old Testament, Gideon had to make a major decision about whether to go to war. He was uncertain about what to do, so he asked God for a sign. He would put out a wool fleece, and if the fleece was wet in the morning, he would have his answer. The fleece was wet; however, he asked God that if the next morning the fleece was dry, he would then know God’s will. The next morning, the fleece was dry. (Judges 6) From this story comes the phrase “putting out a fleece”—that is, asking God for direction in making an important decision.
Some temple authorities interrogated Jesus about the source of the authority to drive the merchants from the temple courts. In return, Jesus told them that he would ask them a question, and if they answered it, he would tell them about the source of his authority. His question was whether John’s baptism was from heaven or from men. “And they debated among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will say, “Why then did you not believe him?”’” (Mark 11:31)
The word for “debated” (διαλογίζομαι, dialogizomai) in this instance appears throughout the New Testament and is translated as “discussing,” “pondering,” or “reasoning.” These religious authorities were on the horns of a dilemma, so they “debated,” or “reasoned.” There is no reason to cut these critics any slack, but they did demonstrate one method for dealing with a dilemma—gathering all the information and examining it carefully. When one lays out all the information, one solution may stand above the rest—but not always. That is what makes a dilemma agonizing.
Never discount prayer as a way of dealing with a dilemma, but if prayer becomes an alternative to action, it becomes only a delaying procedure. One believer said he gathered all the information about a situation, examined it, and selected the most appropriate procedure. Then he prayed until it didn’t matter which procedure was followed. At that point, he prayed for three more days, and if, within those three days, God didn’t direct him otherwise, he proceeded on the belief that he had chosen according to God’s will. His strategy for dealing with a dilemma has several favorable points.
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