We have to make decisions and choices every day. These range from minor ones such as deciding on what shirt to wear to major ones like whether or not to purchase a piece of land. We‘ve got to make career, marriage, job changing and a host of other decisions. How can we make the right choices?
We need to know the will of God in these decisions. We also need to know what methods God has for solving problems along our way, especially when dealing with issues that affect our future or a large part of our life, such as choosing a marriage partner, because we want to be sure that God is leading us.
People use various ways to enable them make decisions. I have seen that most newspapers and magazines sold in our streets have a section for stars or the horoscope. And many people turn to these columns for guidance about what to do in their lives. Does God use these ways to guide Christians? Can we also go to the stars?
The Bible warns against using divination, necromancy, soothsayers, sorcery or witchcraft for whatever reason:
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord… (Deut. 18:10-13).
Is there any help for us in making decisions that are in God’s will? Yes there is help. But we must consider some pre-requisites to knowing the will of God.
Pre-requisites to Knowing God’s Will.
There are two pre-requisites to discovering God’s will for our life.
- Personal faith in God.
- A willingness to obey God’s will.
Personal Faith in God
The desire to know God’s will is important. However, it is not until you have known God personally that you will be able to discern His guidance. To do this we must:
Accept Christ as Our Savior.
The most important decision of your life is the decision to accept or reject Christ. This decision, unlike all other decisions you will ever make, will affect your whole life. When we accept Christ as our savior, we become his sons and daughters (Jn 1:11-12; 1 Jn 3:1). Do not delay in making this decision – make it now.
Accept God’s Plan.
God sees far into the future. He knows what is best for us. God has a plan for your life “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome ” (Jer. 29:11).
God did not create the world and then abscond the responsibility of maintaining it! No, He is in control ordering our world and our life in His ways. It is, therefore important to trust Him to show us His will. We also must realize that God’s plan is good for us.
Willingness to Obey.
The second pre-requisite to discovering God’s will is our willingness to obey Him which is a must in order for you to receive His guidance. We have numerous biblical examples to learn from. Many Bible characters were either rewarded for obeying God’s will or punished for dis obeying it. For example, Jonah got into trouble for trying to disobey God’s will to preach at Nineveh (Jonah 1:1,2). Noah was saved from the flood because he obeyed and built the ark (Gen. 6:13). Abraham received God’s reward of a son and approval because he obeyed and believed God (Gen. 15:6).
Indeed, God may ask you to do difficult things at times, but he will always provide all the resources we need to accomplish His will (Phil. 4:13, 2:13). So, be willing to obey when and where He leads you.
How then do I know God’s will for my life? The Bible teaches that God communicates with us in a variety of ways.
- Creation-general revelation. God speaks in a general way to all men and women through creation (Ps. 19:1-2)
- Consciences. God will often speak to us in our inner self. Our conscience will accept or reject certain issues and that is God’s way of guiding us at times (Rom. 2:14-15).
- Providential circumstances. God orders nature and the circumstances about us to guide us.
- Prayer of faith. God wants to give us what we need and the only reason we don’t have it, the Bible says is because we don’t pray (James 4:1-4).
- God‘s word. Which is a written record of His acts as well as the authoritative revelation of who He is and how we may have communion with Him.
- Special revelation. God also speaks to us in special ways; Prophecies, dreams and visions, inner impressions, angels, tongues and interpretations among others.
- Sometimes He will use one of the ways and at other times He will use more than one way to guide you.
