Better Decisions: The heart is deceitful

We are in a series of learning how to make better decisions. The greatest power God has given you is the ability to choose life or death. In order to make better decisions, you need to ask yourself better questions. Developing the discipline to pause and ask questions will result in better decisions and fewer regrets. The first question we must ask ourselves when making decisions is: 

“Am I being honest with myself…really?”

Self-leadership is the greatest leadership challenge we all face. You can’t lead yourself if you’re lying to yourself. Besides, dishonesty leaks. Lie to yourself and you’ll lie to others. Justifying is akin to just-a-lying. You’re just-a-lying to yourself!

The prophet Jeremiah served as advisor to a series of kings who ruled the ancient kingdom of Judah, kings whose careers would’ve gone much smoother and whose lives would have been extended if they had listened to Jeremiah’s advice. The kings, however, did not heed his advice, and their poor decisions ultimately led to their captivity and the destruction of an entire nation. In witnessing the downfall of Judah’s last king, King Zedekiah, Jeremiah wrote, 

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Jeremiah 17:9

Our hearts are deceitful. Deceitful implies a hidden agenda. Deceitful usually includes a mix

of truth, half-truth, and untruth. We don’t merely lie to ourselves; we deceive ourselves. And it’s a permanent condition. We don’t outgrow it. We don’t out-mature it. We can’t fix it. It’s hardwired. 

A permanent condition requires constant supervision and a proactive response. Otherwise, we will deceive ourselves. It’s why the person in the mirror is the most difficult person you will ever attempt to lead. They don’t tell the truth. Unless you force them to…

How can you do that?

Admit it: Your heart is deceitful and it’s beyond cure.

Ask Questions: Am I being honest, really?

Be Curious: Push past the discomfort to find out why you’re doing what you do. 

Decision #1: The Integrity Decision

I will not lie to myself, even when the truth makes me feel bad about myself.