4 keys to knowing God's will

Do not be foolish,

understand the Lord’s will. 

Ephesians 5:17

Knowing and doing God's will is an essential part of being a spiritually successful Christian. 

First, to know God’s will we start with an attitude of trust. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

Most of God's will involves that which applies to every believer. These are his standing orders. They are found in the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount and throughout the Bible. We ought to begin there. If we are not faithful in these areas we cannot expect to be able to understand His specific will on a certain issue. This attitude of trust also involves our ultimate intent. Why ask if we are not going to obey? 

Second, to know God’s will we must seek Him through the Bible. “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may he thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

This requires devotional reading, deep study and reflection. Tap into the timeless principles of God's Word to understand how it applies directly to our situation. 

Third, to know God’s will we must seek Him through prayer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) 

The Holy Spirit impresses us with wisdom, insight, understanding, and discernment. He also gives us inner peace about our decisions. However, we must be tuned into God, to be sensitive to His subtle messages and nudges. 

Fourth, to know God’s will we must seek wise counsel. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15) 

Guidance can come from parents, teachers, pastors, and friends. It is important that we verify our impressions by insuring that other believers concur. We need to be spiritually accountable to others, who in turn offer guidance as we struggle with the path ahead. This is why Christianity is not experienced alone.

This is part of the sermon series “How To Be Spiritually Successful.” It is based on the Masterlife study “The Disciple's Cross.”

GET THE BOOK:

MasterLife: Developing a Rich Personal Relationship with the Master

“I don't care what the Bible says. It ain't Baptist!”

Mark 6:1-6

“I don't care what the Bible says. It ain't Baptist!”

That was what the trustee of a Baptist seminary shouted when a theology professor tried to use the Bible to defend his controversial book. This learned man seemed to be making headway but the teaching was not part of the mainstream of Baptist thought. It was contrary to what the trustee had read in Sunday school quarterlies and heard from numerous pulpits. He rejected the message and the messenger without heed to the scriptural argument.

In a similar manner, Jesus was rejected in his hometown by his neighbors and family. The Nazarene had allowed tradition to become equal to God's Word. They did not believe the good news that Jesus was bringing. It was not in keeping with their custom.

Sometimes church members will fall into a rut of programming and traditions that lead to downward spiral of decline in numbers and missional effectiveness. Confronted with teachings that are biblical but unfamiliar, they chant, “We've never done it that way before.”

Jesus could not perform many miracles in Nazareth (Mark 6:5). He left and never returned. Instead, he empowered and sent his disciples into the surrounding villages, where they drove out many demons and healed the sick. (Mark 6:13)

When the Nazarene rejected God's messenger, they not only missed out on the miracles that Jesus might have performed but, also, missed the blessing of being a part of God's work.

The Nazarene's rejection of Jesus did not prevent Jesus from performing miracles in other cities. The further rejection of Jesus by the religious establishment, the Roman government and, finally, the Jewish mob only served to advance Jesus' mission.

Churches rise and fall and so do denominations but the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Lack of discernment fuels rumors

A rumor is a piece of information that is passed along without regard to its truth. They are often half-truths and sometimes complete fabrications. They can cause a lot of damage, even when not intended to do harm. The Bible compares the tongue to a spark that can start a forest fire (James 3:5-6). Like a forest fire, rumors can grow out of control.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 we are admonished to examine or test what we hear and hold on to the truth. The Bible calls this discernment. A Christian needs discernment because Satan (the father of lies) will deceive us if we are not careful. He will play on the desires of some to believe the worst in people.

We must be very careful about what we believe and what we pass on. Jesus said, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37 NIV)”

The power of the tongue is magnified by technology. First it was the telephone, then the fax, the email and, now, Facebook. Each exponentially magnified the power of the rumor. I determined long ago not to pass along internet rumors. I will not stake my reputation on a forwarded email or anything that begins, “Facebook is at it again.” To pass it on means that I believe it to be true and am adding my approval.

Rumors run rampant in the workplace, at school and in the church. When it is directed at an individual it can be cyber-bullying and has led to more than one suicide. Be extra careful when talking about an individual. Defamation put in writing is libel and can cause someone to sue you.

I'm not sure that it is ever appropriate for a Christian to say negative things about people or institutions. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29 NIV).”

It is certainly wrong if the intent is malicious, “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends (Proverbs 16:28 NIV).”

Take care when you post something on line. It will be a permanent record; it will be seen by more people than you thought; and it will say as much about you as it does about the other person or institution.

The discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Proverbs 15:14 (NIV)