Do what brings you closer to Him. Do what you know glorifies His name. Do what keeps you from sin. Commit your works to Him. Don't just follow your heart, for your heart can be deceived, but you need to lead your heart according to His will.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What are some hindrances to discovering God’s will?
By Charles F. Stanley
- Self-will: If you have already made up your mind, it will be difficult for you to hear what the Lord wants you to do.
- The influence of others: They may give you reasons why you can’t do it or say that God would not expect you to make such a large sacrifice.
- Ignorance of God’s Word: The next generation knows almost nothing about the Bible. Sunday school is wonderful. But children need to sit in the worship service, too—even if they don’t understand everything. Only by getting in the habit of attending church will they remain involved as adults.
- Doubt: Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”Once you have heard God’s will, don’t start to second-guess it ( James 1:6-8).
- Unworthiness: Every single believer is loved equally by the Father. Don’t believe the lie that you are undeserving of His guidance or grace.
- Busyness: All of us have the same amount of time in a day; how we choose to invest it is an indication of what we value. If your life is too full to pray, you need to re-evaluate your priorities.
- Fear: God’s will can seem impossible, destined to failure, or foolish. But remember that the Lord can bring good out of every situation (Rom. 8:28).
- Known sin: If you are determined to live a rebellious life, the Father will not fully reveal His will to you.
How can you know for sure that you’ve heard Him correctly?
Ask yourself these questions:
Is it consistent with the Word of God? The answer you hear should line up with the clear teaching of Scripture.
Is it a wise decision? Carefully think through the consequences before making a commitment.
Can I honestly ask the Lord to help me achieve this? If you are submitted to His will, you can boldly ask for His help. But the same isn’t true regarding your own agenda.
Do I have genuine peace about it? Don’t rush to make a decision if you feel unsettled. If you lose an opportunity because you were obedient, God will bring you a better one.
Does this decision fit who I am as a follower of Jesus? Does it fit the Lord’s overall plan for my life? The Father has the best planned for you.
And finally, will this decision honour God? Unless your choice glorifies Him, it is not His will.
Scripture to read:
Jeremiah 29:11-13, Psalm 16:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Colossians 1:9, 1 John 5:14-15
I'm not sure they realize what shaky ground they stand on by using catch phrases such as "Be yourself" and "Follow your heart." Yes, God created us to be certain people, but is not God in the process of disciplining those he loves, refining them through fire? No one can just "be themselves" and expect to be what God intended--we are fallen. It takes a deliberate, active desire to change oneself to lean on God, one willing to learn from His example. Not that I am at that point yet in my own life.
ReplyDeleteSo true, indeed. When they said "Be yourself" that caught my ear. It's one of those ear-tickling speeches that motivates people to follow their own desires. I think what they are trying to say is that you should do what makes you happy, as long as it's God honouring.
ReplyDeleteI'm still learning myself. If you want to do something for the Lord and that means changing your career path, I'd say do it! But there is also a lesson of responsibility that can be learned. I'm learning that the best decision is an unselfish decision. Not doing it for yourself, but for others, for Him.
There are some irresponsible decisions like, say you have a family or desire to have a family and you make a decision to leave the country and serve in missions. Yes, it's a great thing to do, but your family and spouse will suffer. And the first priority should be family, but most of all your relationship with God and your spouse. God will be most pleased when your family comes first. If you want to change the world, as a family man or woman, raise up your children correctly. Teach them biblical things. And the best example for them is the Holy relationship between you and your spouse. If you have a family, that is your responsibility, no matter what kind of job you have. Of course, if your job is dishonouring, like working at a stripper bar, find something more honouring to God. But just DO SOMETHING! Don't worry so much. Follow the Law, love the Law, and commit all your works to Him so that your life glorifies Him. Whatever you're doing, do it for HIM!
I agree...but is it not possible to put one's family in the care of God while serving overseas? Certainly, there have been missionaries who have neglected their families as their ministries have taken priority over everything else (even their love of God). But there are also many missionaries who raise families overseas, and, despite suffering, commit themselves to the will of God and grow together throughout it all in God's care? All life, whether in a first or third world country, has its trials. They are inescapable. I suppose we can make choices that make us happy...but if we hear God's voice to deliberately take action in a certain direction, it would be wrong to counter it based on a quest for happiness. And happiness should definitely not be our priority, nor what we expect in this world (we are told to expect trials). But we have joy surpassing understanding.
ReplyDeleteThis is true. I guess it just takes trust in the Lord. That's what I'm learning to do. Especially when making a new career move.
ReplyDeleteI have a link I'd like to share with you and anyone who reads this. Here are foot notes on a sermon called "God Will Show You His Will" by Charles F. Stanley.
http://www.intouch.org/atf/cf/%7B7048F59B-0DA1-4C33-B958-6A013BEDB8A7%7D/LP091122.pdf
I've found that trusting God is especially important in every aspect of life...but I'm taking so long to learn how to do that. I came across Isaiah 29:15-16 and 30:1-5 today. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteThis is way past overdue but here's my two cents:
ReplyDelete"everyone will be put to shame
because of a people useless to them,
who bring neither help nor advantage,
but only shame and disgrace.”
Isaiah 30:5
Remember, do not put your faith into man like the gentiles. Just look at the example of Obama. Not only Americans but other nationalities put so much hope in him, even making posters with the name HOPE. Every politician, even if he is a Christian like Stephen Harper, will make error in judgement for his people.
There is another verse that points this out. I can't find it at the moment, it might be in the New Testament. I'm thinking about 1 Corinthians 15 in verse 19 it reads "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." We are to remember that the world will look down on Christians because we put our hope in the unseen. The world examines and judges everything by scientific methods (besides evolution, but let's not go there). If it's supernatural they won't trust it. It's really a shame to them to see people "blindly" going through life without a text book, as they imagine.
We must also remember "When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too." (Proverbs 11:7). Why put hope in things that are only temporary and will soon perish? Read Ecclesiastes, that's all Solomon talks about!
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
ReplyDelete1 Timothy 6:17