Trusting God's Wisdom in Leadership Choices and Decisions
Trusting God's Wisdom in Leadership Choices and Decisions
Trusting God's wisdom is fundamental to Christian leadership, as it involves relying on divine guidance rather than solely on human judgment. The biblical basis for this trust is rooted in various passages that emphasize God's sovereignty and wisdom. For instance, Job 12:13 states, "Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His" [2]. This verse underscores God's omnipotence and omniscience, highlighting the importance of seeking divine wisdom in decision-making.
The concept of trusting God's wisdom is closely tied to the fear of the Lord, which is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. Proverbs 9:10 notes that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" [7]. This fear is not about being afraid but rather about having a deep reverence for God's power and wisdom. As Tyndale House commentary on Proverbs 15:16 explains, a healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace [6]. This fear is essential for leaders, as it enables them to make decisions that align with God's will.
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in decision-making. Psalm 119:66 prays, "Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments" [3]. This verse highlights the need for divine instruction in making wise decisions. Similarly, Isaiah 8:13 exhorts leaders to "sanctify the Lord" and fear Him, rather than being swayed by human opinions or fears [8]. By prioritizing God's wisdom, leaders can navigate complex situations with confidence.
The New Testament reinforces this idea, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty. Hebrews 13:7 instructs believers to "remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" [1]. This passage emphasizes the importance of following leaders who have demonstrated faith and trust in God's wisdom.
Different Christian traditions have interpreted the concept of trusting God's wisdom in various ways. For example, the Reformed tradition emphasizes the sovereignty of God in all aspects of life, including decision-making [5]. In contrast, the Wesleyan tradition highlights the importance of personal holiness and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers [9]. Despite these differences, there is a shared recognition across traditions of the need to trust in God's wisdom.
The practical application of trusting God's wisdom involves seeking divine guidance through prayer, scripture, and a deepening relationship with God. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, "the gospel contains treasures of wisdom" [4]. By immersing themselves in scripture and prayer, leaders can tap into this wisdom and make decisions that reflect God's will.
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 13:7 (BSB) — Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
- Job “Job 12:13 (BSB) — Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His.”
- Psalms “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. -- Psalms 119:66”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 8:13: Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 11:33: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! - This is a very proper conclusion of the whole preceding discourse. Wisdom may here refer to the designs of God; knowledge, to the means which he employs to accomplish these designs. The designs are the offspring of infinite wisdom, and therefore they are all right; the means are the most proper, as being the choice of an infinite knowledge that cannot err; we may safely credit the goodness of the design, founded in infinite wisdom; we may rely on the due accomplishment of the end, because the mean”