Another barrier to creativity is indecision. People are often so scared of making a wrong decision that they end up making no decision. They remain in the valley of decision to go or not to go. But a wrong decision is better than indecision, at least, it gives a man the opportunity to be corrected and re-directed in the right path.

Instability is a product of indecision as seen in the life of Reuben in the Bible. When Jacob was about to die, he called his children together to bless them and this is what he said to Reuben his first son,

“Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and excellency of power: unstable as water, thou shall not excel…” Genesis 49:3-4.

Indecision is a killer of potentials. Reuben, though well positioned to receive the best of blessing being the first born of the family, missed out because of his instability. He was as unstable as water. In Genesis Chapter 37, his brothers conspired to kill Joseph their younger brother, because of his dreams and as the eldest who should have stood up to ensure that Joseph was not hurt, Reuben said, “Let’s put him in the pit.” 

He was hoping that he would later rescue the boy and take him to their father but before he returned the others had sold him to the Ishmaelite merchants. He missed that opportunity to save his brother because of indecision and delayed actions.

On another occasion, Reuben had affairs with his father’s concubine Bilhah, who was Rachel’s maid, because he could not see himself as a factor of unity in the family, being the first son. Rather, he took sides with his mother, Leah against Rachel. As a stupid and fluid person he made a bid at his father’s heritage while the old man was still alive and that cost him his position and birth right. These are just a few of the woes that indecision can bring upon a man.

Another trademark of indecisive people is that they always look for someone or something to blame for everything that happens around them. They like to take the easy way out of situations and this was exactly what Reuben did when he and his brothers went to buy food in Egypt and they met Joseph but did not know yet that he was the one. When Joseph put them through some tests, Reuben began to blame his brothers for the wrong they did to Joseph when they sold him. (Genesis 42:22).

These traits of indecision ran through the lineage of the Reubenites for generations, to the extent that they were unable to enter the Promised Land. They saw some attractive land just before Jordan and chose to remain there rather than go over the Jordan with their brethren. Their excuse was that they had many cattle, and as such the pastures outside Canaan were good enough for them. So they missed out of the fullness of the blessings of the Promised Land. (Numbers 23).

In Judges 5:15-16, the children of Reuben still exhibited the traits of indecision as their forefather did. Deborah was leading Israel to battle in Judges Chapter 4 but the tribe of Reuben refused to come out. They abode “among the sheepfolds.” (Judges 5:15-16). They tucked themselves away in “safety” rather than face the responsibility of fighting for freedom. Indecision is Satan’s device to keep a man continually in ‘safety’, where he will venture nothing and achieve nothing.

The sheepfold is safe and far from risk and responsibility but it is also far from victory and honor.

Indecision is destructive. It erodes creativity and kills potentials. This is why good things pass many people by on a daily basis because before they make up their minds to take a step, some smarter fellows have gone ahead of them. It is only lack of understanding that makes a man to settle down with his present position and miss the bright future that awaits him.

People fall backward too often because of indecision or weak decisions. The bait of indecision is procrastination, which is an indication of slackness, especially of the mind.

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them. And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel:

“HOW LONG ARE YE SLACK TO GO to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?” (Joshua 18:1-3-Emphasis mine).

No matter how powerful the weapons of war, indecision will render them ineffective. The things people lack are the ones they are slack at getting.

Procrastination and Considerations go together. One can picture Thomas and Philip cautioning and trying to dissuade Peter when he was about to step out of the boat and walk on the sea to meet Jesus. Nevertheless, with courage Peter ignored them and stepped out. Today he is the only disciple recorded to have walked on water. (Matthew 14: 25-31). 

The deferment of what can be done today weakens the zest and drive for it in the process of time. That is why Jesus said, “What thou doest, do quickly.” (John 13:27). Over and over again in scriptures, the emphasis on quick action stands out. “Arise, let us go up at once!” (Numbers 13:30). That was the language of the two spies – Caleb and Joshua. “For the Lord has given them to us”.

Indecision robs a man of God’s best. It drains his strength and chains down his feet. No matter how glorious the destiny or the resources that are stacked up on the earth for a man if he is indecisive, he will get nothing!

Another major cause of indecision is fear. If man can overcome fear, then all other problems can be solved cheaply because once he is able to gather momentum on his inside, he is set to move forward. The discussions and suggestions that go on in the mind are the determining factors of a man’s life. 

Fear, caution, indecision, procrastinations, over-analysis, and considerations, are fertilizer of indecision. When nothing is done about fear, it builds up into what is called intimidations. That is how people become mentally intimidated till they become inactive in life.

People who live in fear hardly think well because fear paralyzes initiative….

This text is an extract from the book “RELEASING THE CREATIVE POWER OF THE MIND” written by David O. Oyedepo. 
We invite you to read the following article “THE PLACE OF THE MIND“.