SeekingGod's Guidance
How do I know God’s will for me? This question,— in its manymanifestations,— is one of the most common question, which I been asked in thefew years I’ve been serving the Lord. Those who ask this question are oftensincerely seeking to know how to order their lives in a way that is mostpleasing God. However, it is an undeniable fact that most do not quiteunderstand what they are asking. For many, the will of God is some nebulouscriteria on which our actions are weighed. For others, the will of God has todo with how the future will turn out so that when they inquire about God’swill, they are in fact hoping to know what is in store for them in the future.Yet others hope that by knowing the will of God and acting accordingly, they wouldbe assured a happy future. Is this really what knowing God’s will mean?
But what is the will of God? Calvin, the great Reformer, and mostof His earlier successors taught that God has one will with two facets, namelyHis decretive will, and His preceptive will. The secret will of God refers toGod’s foreordination of all things. It is hidden from man, and so it is alsoknown as the secret will of God. The preceptive will of God declares to manwhat is pleasing to God by way of precepts or principle and commandments. Theseprecepts are positively revealed to man, in Old Testament time frequently byaudible voices and impulses on the mind; and today with Word of God completed,by the written word. Some later theologians speak about the dispositional willof God to indicate what God desires or delights in. But how do we know thedispositional will of God for us, but only through the Word of God and so forCalvin, the dispositional will of God is simply a facet of the preceptive willof God. With this understanding, we can easily answer the question "How doI know God’s will for me?" Since the decretive will is secret, to knowGod’s will is to know His preceptive will, which is given for us in the Word ofGod. How to know God’s will? Read the Word of God. Find the answer in the Wordof God.
But this answer will not satisfy our inquirers, many of whom arecaught in a dilemma of decision which they find no clear answer from the Wordof God. Which course should I enrol in? Should I marry this man? Should I look foranother job? Should I buy a car? What can I do to supplement my family’sincome? Which school should I enrol my child in? Should I accept the nominationto serve as a deacon? Should I settle down in PCC? How do we know the will ofGod in such perplexing situations? My answer will probably surprise many ofyou: you cannotknow thewill of God in most of these situations! But before any of us despair that wewill have to grope in the dark with no assurance that God will be pleased withus, let me say that while we may not know the will of God in every situation,we may in fact seek God’s guidance. Rather than seeking to know God’s will, weought to be seeking guidance from Him. We ought to pray as David did: "Forthou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, andguide me" (Ps 31:3). And we may have the same assurance that God willindeed guide us: "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will heteach his way" (Ps 25:9; cf. Ps 48:14; Ps 55:13; Ps 73:24). Also, God haspromised: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shaltgo: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Ps 32:8). But experience has taughtus that God does not automatically or always guide us in the way we should go.This is why the question "How do I know God’s will" is asked sofrequently. God’s guidance must be sought. But how?… Cont. p. 3
May I suggest the following seven steps as a guideline which maybe applied whenever we are face with a difficult decision for which we desireguidance from the Lord:
1. Commit toGod.
Proverbs 3:5, which is so often used to encourage someone in times ofindecision and uncertainty begins aptly: "Trust in the LORD with all thineheart." Just as genuine faith is manifested by works, so genuine trust inthe Lord must be manifested by committing our anxieties to Him before we makeany decisions. This is especially important since the thresholds of decisionare often the starting points of our stepping into the wrong paths.
Committing the issues to the Lord involves humbly praying for theLord’s guidance and direction, as well as requesting Him to grant remembranceto the Scriptures learnt, wisdom to think objectively, friends to counsel andmeekness to submit to the providential outworking of His will.
2. Clear anyundesirable preconceptions.
Proverbs 3:5 continues, "and lean not unto thine own understanding."and "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart fromevil." (Prov 3:7). Times may have changed since the time Solomon pennedthose words, but the human heart has not. How often we come before the Lord inprayer having already pre-conceived notions, wrong motives, attitudes anddesires so that we are only willing to listen to the Lord if He gives afavourable reply. Are we not so often like Johanan who beseeched Jeremiah toseek the Lord’s counsel with unqualified assurance of obedience, but lateraccused him of lying when he brought the word of the Lord (see Jer 42:1-6;9-10; 17; Jer 43: 1-2)? Is it not true that we have often decided before we pray,and our prayer serve only to ‘spiritualise our decisions’ or to seek God’sblessing on ourdecisions?
The existence of such preconceptions in our hearts mustmeticulously identified and eradicated if we are sincere about seeking God’sguidance. Indeed if we find it difficult to do so, being blinded by thedeceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13), then we must all the more tarry in indecisionand cry out to the Lord to search and reveal our hearts (Ps 139:23-24). Onlythen may we begin to listen to the Lord objectively.
3. Considerthe Scriptures Again.
We have already noted that the Word of God gives us His preceptive will, and sothe most important means of knowing what is right and pleasing to God is foundthere. Thus, If we would have God direct our steps, then it would certainly beimperative that we follow His revealed instructions. It is no wonder then thatSolomon writes about this in no uncertain terms: "Whoso despiseth the wordshall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded"(Prov 13:13). Which this in mind, we must not rush into any decision withoutfirst considering carefully if any principle or precept may be applicable inour situation. Indeed, a surprising number of issues are taught specifically inScriptures (2Tim 3:16-17) and can be applied immediately. The Scripture, forexample, gives some clear instructions on relationships (2Cor 6:14); Christianleadership (1Tim 3:1-7); and accumulation of material wealth (Mt 6:19-34). Italso has principles on dealing with issues that are not so clear-cut (e.g. Rom14 and 1 Cor 6:12, 10:23-33). Failure to follow these instructions andprinciples would ultimately lead to sin and incur God’s displeasure.
An amazing number of decisions of weight and moment can be quiteobjectively if only we know the Scripture well. In fact, I would venture to saythat if an answer cannot be sought through the Scripture, then there is a greatpossibility that that the which course of action you take does not reallymatter very much.
4. Conferwith Godly brethren.
Solomon in his God given wisdom saw the importance of seeking counsel when weneed guidance. He proclaimed: "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise" (Prov 12:15). However, wemust be very careful not to ask just anyone to advise us. Many a young personshave made godless and irresponsible decisions after they sought counsel fromequally ignorant friends. No, when consulting with someone, we must bear inmind that we are not merely seeking the safety of numbers. The popular adage"two is a confirmation" is not only non-Christian but foolish, afterall "two wrongs don’t make a right." Solomon says, "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in themultitude of counsellors they are established" (Prov 15:22).Not everyone can give counsel. It is important that we should seek out brethrenin Christ who loves the Lord and know His word that we may consult, especiallywhen we are ill-informed about the Word of God.
5. Comparethe Options.
It is clear that some issues would have to pass through the third step and eventhe fourth step, being matters of indifference. In such situations, there isreally no right or wrong decision either way. In such cases, it would beprudent and expedient to compare the options and weigh the pros and cons of thevarious options. God has given us sound minds to make decisions (2Tim 1:7)based on available data, and we should rightfully employ this faculty. We mustbe careful not to allow this step to become the only step in our decisionmaking, but if employed properly, it is not wrong to weigh the relativeadvantages of various options. When choosing a job, it is not wrong to comparethe monetary incentives and benefits, but let us also consider the spiritualaspects. Will the job require you to work on the Sabbath? Will it afford yougreater opportunities to witness for Christ? etc.
6. Check yourconscience.
This step is the most subjective step, which must not be applied alone, butuseful when used in conjunction with the previous five steps to test if thedecision about to be made, or already made is the correct one. Proverbssuggests to us that the Holy Spirit sometimes speak to us through theconscience: "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching allthe inward parts of the belly" (Prov 20:27). In this way, our consciencefunctions like a subordinate judge of our decisions. It is likely to grantpeace of heart if a decision pleases the Lord; and it will probably smite us ifwe make a wrong decision. So Paul says "whatsoever is not of faith issin." (Rom 14:23); and sets us an example by exercising himself "tohave always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."(Acts 24:16). If you desire to leave your company at a point when it isstruggling to stay afloat, do make sure you check your conscience. But bear inmind that our conscience may be seared (1Tim 4:2), so the conscience must neverbe taken as the most important judge, especially if it is excusing us.
7. Concede toGod’s Overruling.
Finally, after all the steps, we must realise that God might still overrule."A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps"(Prov 16:9). If we commit our ways to the Lord, we have the assurance that Hewill not allow us to go out of the way. He promises us that "all thingswork together for good to them that love God" (Rom 8:28).This does notnegate our responsibility to seek the Lord’s guidance and making the rightdecisions, but it assures us that God will honour our desire to please Him.Therefore let us learn to concede to God’s overruling when He closes our doorsto a particular direction which we have decided on. Have you decided to spendyour vacation camping in Alaska,but alas your son comes down with pneumonia. Will you not accede to God’soverruling?
Conclusion. Having seen the seven steps, it must be noted thatthey are but general guidelines. Nevertheless, they may be used with profit toseek God’s guidance when making decisions that are major enough to require somethought. It may do well for us to memorise the steps, rehearse them in our mindand apply them frequently. May the Lord help us in our endeavours to pleaseHim.
