Decisions must be defensible and fair if a leader is to be acceptable and influential, according to Proverbs 21.3. Therefore, as a leader I must decide right and do right.
My decisions must be both sound and just if I’m to be chosen by the Lord. Proverbs 21.3 paraphrase
Attitude and Actions
How many times have you been told that attitude is more important than actions?
Also, do you remember being told that you should do the right thing for the right reason?
I’m starting to sound like your parents now, right?
Actually, the issue isn’t how many times I’ve heard something. Instead, the issue is how well I’ve absorb that precept.
Thus, when you hear or read the same thing repeatedly you should begin to recognize a fundamental life pattern or theme.
Now, the precept in Proverbs 21.3 is one of those themes. As such, it’s repeated regularly by parents, teachers, and preachers and priests.
As expected, this theme is repeated in scripture as well. For example, a learner’s attitude (right attitude), and carefully-chosen values (right thinking), produce discernment (right outcome) in my life.
Know-Do-Be
I know that my attitude is important. Similarly, I know that what I do must be done for the right reasons. Those right reasons are the “being” part of this precept that’s driving me back to my motives and intentions.
Conversely, what’s the outcome for doing the right thing for the wrong reason? That is, for doing something, but having a bad attitude? According the Proverbs 21.3, my ultimate judge recognizes that inappropriate motive. Unfortunately, others around me who are perceptive can see through me as well!
Decide Right
The Hebrew word mishpat is used in Proverbs 21.3 to indicate sound judgment, thus a right decision. It’s also translated by words such as right, manner, determination, disposing, and order (i.e., to give an order).
For example, the word mishpat is used in First Kings 3.28 to describe how people responded to Solomon’s “split the baby” decision: “…they saw that the wisdom of God was in (Solomon) to do judgment.”
As a leader I must make sound decisions. I need to rationally and carefully examine the evidence, formulate an appropriate response, and execute on that conclusion.
Do Right!
Combined with sound judgment, the second aspect of an effective decision process is motive or attitude. Thus, this component brings me to the issue of justice.
I do what’s right, fair, or equitable because of my heart attitude. That’s the “why.” Why did I do that? Because it was the right thing to do!
The Hebrew word used here for justice is tsedaqah. It’s translated justice, right, righteous act, and most often righteousness. What’s the right thing to do? Do that!
Combining Decide Right and Do Right
This expectation that I decide right and do right is a recurring theme in scripture. I count 15 occurrences where these two Hebrew words are paired.
Examples of the pairing of the Hebrew mishpat – judgment, and tsedaqah – justice, occur in the law (e.g., Genesis 18.19), the history (e.g., First Kings 10.9), here in the wisdom writings, and in the prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 56.1). I should be seeing a pattern here!
The Outcome
To decide right and then do right is acceptable or desirable. “Acceptable” is the Hebrew word bachar. It is most often translated choose. For example, David chose five stones. Conversely, his brothers were not chosen.
When I decide right and do right my efforts are acceptable to, are chosen by, the Lord. In fact, decide right – do right is more acceptable than going through the motions of bringing an offering!
I desired mercy and not sacrificial offerings… Hosea 6.6 paraphrase
I must not miss this fundamental precept. A sound decision that leads me to do what is just and right is of greater value than giving a costly monetary gift! Christ repeated what Samuel, David, Hosea, Micah, and others had stated earlier when sharing this same precept.
Go figure out what this means: I want mercy not sacrifice… Matthew 9.13 paraphrase
Leadership Insight
Effective engagement with co-workers means I cannot simply go through the motions of making routine decisions using predetermined algorithms. Operating by the book like this is simply inadequate because it doesn’t address issues of emotion and the heart.
Instead, I must operate from a base of personal engagement that is perceptive to needs around me and then appropriately respond to those needs. That’s the Do Right aspect of leadership that has a lasting impact.
For a task-oriented and analytical leader (like me!), interactions that require expressions of concern and compassion are challenging. Regardless of my natural tendencies, I must be conscious of building out my interactive skill set else I limit the impact I can have.
Apply This Today!
It’s not enough to think clearly, thus forming sound decisions, because I still haven’t done anything! I must execute – carry out – the decisions I make.
It’s not enough to execute efficiently because I still haven’t reached into the emotional level of those around me.
An effective leader avoids the extreme of operating only from the analytical because it’s the rational thing to do.
An effective leader avoids the extreme of operating only from the emotional because it just feels right!
Therefore, decide right and do right!
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