Articles
Feeling Led? (Part 2)
As believers in God, we would love for God to give us specific direction when we have challenging decisions and to have answers to decisions that could have a major effect on the direction of our lives. If God does offer such a blessing, we would like to know how to access that. We are not ones who think it foolish to want specific guidance.
Therefore, what does the Bible say about determining God’s will for our life? We know that the Bible repeatedly speaks of God’s will. James says that we should say, “If they Lord wills…” So, how are we to determine the Lord’s will for our lives?
Determining the Will of God
God’s “will” is used three different ways in the scripture:
· His sovereign will. (Eph. 1:5, 9) That is, that which God either decrees to happen (like the coming of Christ, the kingdom, or preaching of the gospel & saving man), or what He allows to happen (like trials such as in the case of Job). Concerning God’s decrees, we know what He has revealed and the end result. Concerning what He allows, we can sometimes look back and see His plan (as did Joseph), sometimes we can’t.
· His moral will. 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Thes. 4:3; Eph. 5:15-18; 1 Pet. 2:13-15; 1 Thes. 5:16-18. In each of these cases, man can disobey, thus it is not forced. Further, this is not individualized guidance; it is revealed to all and all are expected to obey it.
· His permissive will. 1 John 5:14-15 If we ask anything according to His will (if it fits within what He has permitted, He hears us).
What is conspicuously absent in these things? There is no suggestion of personalized guidance. Where is the part where I find God’s will about certain things in my life like who to marry, what job to take, house to buy, where to live, etc. The Bible addresses this, but from a different angle. Instead of who to marry, whether to marry, wisdom in choosing, & how to act if I do. Instead of what job, it is what kind of worker. Instead of where to live, it is how to live. Instead of what to do in my life, it is how to live for God in whatever I do.
Misuse of Rom. 8:28: “I lost my job, God will work it out where I will get a better one. I lost my girlfriend, God will give me a prettier one!” But read verse 29. God is using these things to make you more like Jesus. His will is the kind of person we are, not what things we can get in this life. Not saying God doesn’t care or that He won’t answer prayers in this regard, but that is not His main purpose in our life nor what this text teaches.
Therefore, the individual will of God for my life that some believe I am supposed to discover, does not exist! There are no signs to read, voice to hear, or nudges to discern. God has dignified us with the responsibility to make our own personal decisions. Good fathers don’t make all the decisions for their grown children. Even critical and important decisions are left up to us. Eph. 5:15-16 tells us not to wait around for the Lord’s leading, but “redeem the time.” Be wise, and get to work! We are never even told to pray for God’s decision.
God is so great that he can use our decisions for his purposes. Joseph told his dreams to his family. Well that was a “mistake!”
Biblical Model for Decision Making
Let’s take a look at God’s model for all disciples in making a personal decision. There are four “circles” that we must consider:
· God’s moral will. All we can do is inside the circle; everything outside the circle is against His moral will. This not only means what we do, but our motives in doing them. God’s moral will may remove certain options, like what kind of job I take (not something immoral, or that would sacrifice my family/spirituality), who I would marry (not someone of the same sex, unscripturally divorced). This requires diligent study. God’s will is total obedience. (It is amazing how many are convinced of God’s leading, but the “leading” violates his moral will – getting a divorce for example.)
· Wisdom. Pro.2:6, 9 “From His mouth come knowledge and understanding…then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course.” James tells us to pray for it. Example of Solomon to whom God spoke directly, but Solomon asked for wisdom to make decisions. He did not ask that God give him a leading in all the decisions. So, first consider what is moral, then what is wise.
· Personal factors. This has to do with your own personal preferences, desires, likes & dislikes, and your conscience. In 1 Cor. 7:40 Paul gives advice on what he thinks will make a person happier. So you can make decisions on this basis when the other two principles have been considered. We also must consider our own conscience (Rom. 14:23) and the conscience of others (1 Cor. 10:23). Often these decisions are made in reverse order, which is dangerous because we might put personal desires ahead of the first two.
· The sovereignty/providence of God. This is actually a circle drawn around all else because it doesn’t directly affect our decisions, but it does affect our attitudes. James 4:13-16 – We are not in absolute control of our life, therefore do not boast. It is not that the planning is wrong, the attitude is wrong. We must have the attitude, if God allows it, great! If not, great!
Therefore, decision making boils down to the challenge of all of these and it takes hard work. I must study to know God’s revealed will. I must discern wisdom – pray for it, talk to others, observe. I must consider what I would like to do knowing that when I say yes to one thing I am saying no to something else. And I must have a humble attitude knowing that ultimately God is in control.
Bottom line: Using the guidelines of God’s word and wisdom, you have the freedom to do anything you want with God’s blessing. God will be with you either way you go!
Consider the Following Examples
· Rom. 1:11-13 Paul wanted to go see the Romans. It certainly fit within God’s revealed will and was according to wisdom. So, it was his desire – but he was prevented. Did he give up? No, he is still trying to find a way to go. He eventually did…in chains!
· 1 Cor. 6:1-11 Christians are going before unbelievers with their differences. Notice Paul doesn’t say, pray for the right decision. He tells them that we will judge angels and that they ought to be ashamed that they do not at least go before the wise among them for a decision. No “leading” here!
· Acts 15 Here the leaders came together to discern what to do about Gentiles coming to Christ, but they never ask God for an answer, a leading, or even a confirmation of their decision. They went back to what had already been revealed and then claimed their decision was from the Holy Spirit.
· Acts 15:36 Paul determined to take his second journey. No “call,” just, let’s do it. Can’t work it out with Barnabas? Okay, I’ll take Silas. “Berry, how did God lead you to go to AR?” I wanted to do it. I thought it would be good for me and good for the work. There were unbelievable obstacles at times, but nothing in the Bible indicates obstacles have anything to do with anything. Consider Nehemiah’s obstacles!!!
· 1 Cor. 7 & marriage. There is the question of whether or not to marry. Paul lays out pros and cons. He shows moral obligations on each side: singles cannot fornicate; married people cannot divorce. Now you decide. Then Paul says, “but I think you will be happier if you remain single!” Ha!
Now there are consequences to an unwise choice. Marrying a woman who is a nag or a man who dominates his wife is not a sin, its just dumb! (Pro. 21:9; 11:22) So choose wisely!
Conclusion: Disclaimer – what we have studied in the last two lessons does not take away from the importance of and need for prayer. Nor do these lessons mean that the Lord does not answer prayer or that he is not actively working in our lives and in this world to bring about our salvation and the salvation of the world. We are talking about whether God gives specific, special, individual guidance apart from the revealed word of God.
