How to Make Decisions Based on the Lord’s Will?
This question has troubled even ministers themselves until they have written books, and made sermons about “how to hear God’s voice.” According to them, God speaks to us every time, all you have to do is to tune into the right channel of the “still small voice” and you will hear Him tell you about which job career you must choose. The damage from those kinds of teachings is that many have been misled into terrible life decisions after mistaking their imaginations for God’s inner voice.
Others are out there looking for a sign from heaven. They wake up every morning hunting after every dream they have had – perhaps God is speaking to them somehow. Others believe there is no way to know where your life is going unless you visit a spiritual man somewhere on the other side of town every month. All these are man’s attempts to discern the Lord’s will for his life; to hear God’s voice.
Think about this: why do you think the whole New Testament is silent about how to hear God’s voice? I mean, Scripture is overflowing with instructions for Christian living, marriage, work life and many more. Why not tell us about how to know God’s will about my current business idea? If it is so important for us to hear God’s voice about who to marry, why then did Apostle Paul forget to teach us that?
Now back to our original question: how then do we discern God’s will for our lives? Believe it or not, there is a Biblical answer to this. I mean, Scripture does give us direction as to what to do when you are faced with a critical decision in your life. I have listed a few things below to help us in this once and for all. Let it be known, though, that the first step to living a life that is in line with the will of the Lord is to study and obey Scripture. To have the Word of Christ dwelling in you richly (Col 3:16), so that you will be able to make God honouring life decisions based on that. Once you miss this important principle, then nothing else matters. However, if you have that in place, you can go ahead and take these steps…
1.) Pray for wisdom
Wisdom is simply a special ability to make the right decision at the right time. It’s the Apostle James who encourages, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach... (Jam 1:5)” As an answer to that prayer, you will be given that special capacity to think critically, plan and take the right step in the right direction for your life.
2.) Godly Counsel
One thing we have forgotten is that the good Lord works through ordinary means, including other people around us, most particularly other believers. Therefore, if you are at crossroads about any critical life decision such as whether should you quit your job or not? Consult fellow believers in the Lord. Call your Pastor. Talk to that Christian friend and I guarantee you without a doubt that God will direct your life through them.
3.) Do what you have to do based on the opportunities given
Often times God’s will for your life is based on the current resources and opportunities that are before you. In Acts 15:34, there was no special angel to detect what Silas and the Apostles were supposed to do, instead, it says, “It seemed good to Silas to remain there, Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch…” It means they made that decision; they did what they had to do based on the current opportunities. Hence I advise that if the opportunity for following that dream career has not presented itself yet, perhaps that is not what the Lord wants to do with you at this time. For example, I have personally dreamed of being a missionary. I have prayed many times about this. I have applied to a few organisations because I believed that was God’s will for my life. However, it turns out that the door will not open, at least not yet. That is proof to me that the good Saviour has other plans about me at this time. In the same way, if that man that you dream of marrying does not show up to you, then he is not for you; the Lord’s will may be that you marry the one who is available at this time. Therefore, look at what’s currently accessible and make your life decisions based on that. That is how the Almighty oftentimes directs our paths.
Summary: Brethren, you don’t need a special sangoma, and an audible voice from heaven to tell you where to buy your groceries. Or what career to choose. Instead, after you have done your all to live in a way worthy of the Lord, you can discern the Lord’s will for your life when you pray for wisdom, seek godly counsel and then you can go ahead and do what you think is right based on the opportunities and the resources that the Lord has given you. That is how to know the will of God for your life. Amen.
Sinothi Ncube
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