Have you asked yourself this question? “How do I know if the next move I make—the next purchase I make—or the next decision I make is God’s will concerning me?” The Bible has the answer.
(John 16:13), “However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth…”
(Psalm 37:23), “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
Whether a person stays or goes; buys or sells; decides this or that; as long as they are led by the Spirit of God and living for Him, confidence is generated in their heart that God is working His perfect plan in their life and directing their steps. God’s plan is inclusive of every decision and move that a Christian makes as long as they are yielding themselves to the sovereignty of God.
When I include God in my decision making and invoke His blessings upon my daily involvements, I can trust the words that are found in the Bible.
(Romans 8:35-39) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” vs.37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” vs.38 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,” vs.39 “nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Have you ever been in a quandary? I have. I’ve faced things in my Christian walk that were difficult to ascertain whether they were from God or other forces at work. In times like these it is best to not get in a hurry, but to wait upon the Lord until He gives the clearance to proceed rather than jumping ahead of Him and regretting it later.
If it is in God’s plan to do a certain thing, He speaks peace to one’s heart. Problems arise when decisions are made too quickly. Stepping out of God’s perfect will to submit to our own understanding leads to confusion.
(Proverbs 3:5-8), “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; vs.5 “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. vs.7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.” vs.8 “It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”
Too many times we are led astray, because of impatience or greed. Anxious people often entertain thoughts such as, “The deal of a lifetime will be lost if I fail to act right now.” Thoughts like this can be problematic and endless.
We must remember that a child of God is protected by the Godhead: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Nothing can cross our path or come our way, regardless where the point of reference derives, until it goes through the Trinity.
(I Corinthians 10:13) “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
There are several places that an event or happening can originate which may entice, overwhelm, or generate interest when it comes our way. It might be a test that God is allowing to help us grow in Him; or it can be a trap of Satan placed in our path to cause us to stumble and fall; or it can be our own willful desire to attain something that God has not sanctioned; or it can be a door that God has opened before us that we need to walk through.
How does one know which entity initiated an event or happening? Ask yourself: “Is it God-related or not?” When in doubt, consider the bottom-line result that a wrong decision might bring. Consider if the issue goes contrary to God’s Word, or will confusion accompany the final result? God does not create confusion—He is peace.
(1 Corinthians ) “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”
Will inner conviction or chastisement be experienced from God if a wrong decision has been made? Our conscience is one way that God speaks to us prior to making a decision. To disregard it, for whatever reason, the Lord, in love, encourages us to make things right. If we acknowledge this prodding, the Holy Spirit reveals the right answer and promotes healing, while giving sensitivity as to which avenue to take.
(Hebrews 12:5-8), “…My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; vs.6 “for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” vs.7 “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” vs.8 “But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”
Perhaps God wants us to step out of our comfort zone and walk through the door that He has opened to us. Even though it may be difficult on occasion to determine where life’s events are coming from, it is good advice to stop, look, and listen before proceeding. You may not be at a train crossing, but you might be at a spiritual crossroads.
When a person prays concerning matters that are facing them, direction is always provided by the Holy Spirit. The key is to include God in every area of life—involving Him is most wise.
You may ask, “Does this mean that I inquire of God whether I should do this or that every waking hour of the day?” No. It simply means, walk with God; communicate with Him daily; and live for Him, while trusting that He will close doors that He doesn’t want us to walk through, and open those that He does.
When we do these things we walk in confidence that God is doing what He said He will do. We stand in faith knowing that God’s perfect will is being performed in our life. A quandary that tries to disrupt a peaceful and loving relationship with our Heavenly Father is suppressed by His power and might.
(1 Timothy 6:11-12), But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” vs.12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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