Do you know what happens to the man who is so indecisive that he continually finds himself with one foot on both sides of the fence? He gets a sore crotch.
I always get a chuckle out of that ancient proverb – and I am of course using the term “proverb” quite loosely here. It was a frequent saying of a former pastor of my church. Along a similar notion, I used to have a co-worker who would routinely say “being the Libra that I am, I’m now going to argue the other side of what we’ve just decided.”
Neither phrase is Biblical, nor do they really do anything to glorify God, but they always resonate with me because I often find myself straddling both sides of fences. Yes, I am born under the Libra sign too. It’s okay to laugh about these human attributes, but there is a much more dire consequence.
Indecision is hostile toward God.
The man who is so indecisive he is continually with one foot on both sides of the fence also gets a sore crotch.
In life, I’ve learned first-hand the dangers of constantly finding comfort in that middle of the road, happy medium. While it may seem like the safe road, it’s really a coward’s road. And that is my confession today. I often travel the coward’s road because I will often refuse to stand for definitive ground.
Here’s why the “middle ground” is often the coward’s “sore crotch”
- When you take a stand – when you plant your flag firmly into the ground of your position – you are locked in. It provides the least flexibility for course adjustments and you are unquestionably committed to that position. Too many people lack having enough confidence to make such bold proclamations.
- When you take a stand – when you plant your flag firmly into the ground of your position – you take on the risk of losing friends, partners, followers and even cherished family. Your stand, despite how right it may be, becomes a polarizing agent that could wind up hurting all those people and risk you not having them in your life.
- When you take a stand – when you plant your flag firmly into the ground of your position – you have put your reputation on the line. Your statement firmly states your belief and will ultimately reflect upon your influence in future stances. If you are ultimately proven correct in the situation, you have another notch in your credibility factors for future stances. But miss it and your credibility has just as easily taken the impact of a hit from which you may not recover.
Surely, there are other factors that go into our stances and positions, but these three are the main reasons for my personal indecisiveness.
In the Bible, we often see indecision as “double-minded” depending upon the translation being used. For instance, in James 1:8, we are told such a man is “unstable in all they do.” Do you trust an “unstable” man? More importantly, does an “unstable man” trust God?
In this particular instance, translated from the Greek, we get “two-spirited” or serving two priorities. Literally, our indecision has us serving two masters. And that is why indecision leaves us conflicted, damaging both our personal relationships and our spiritual lives. Indecision – or “sitting on the fence” – delays our faithful obedience to God. And in the book of Matthew, it’s quite clear how God feels about that.
And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ~ Matthew 7:26
As James suggests, the antidote is Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (1:5).
What decisions are you putting off? More importantly, on which side of the fence is the decision God desires and on which side is the one that is keeping you from choosing to go according to God’s path?
Still having trouble getting off the fence of indecision?
Pray over it. Admit a need for wisdom, ask God for wisdom in all things and have faith in the assurance that He will provide the evidence you need to leave the fence and place your flag in firmly in the ground – on the rock – of right choices.