Regardless if you are a new Christian or have been walking with Jesus for a long time, this topic is a prayer request that comes up quite frequently. “Knowing what you should do” or “knowing how God is guiding you.” The question can be where you should live, which church to attend, who you should get married to or where you should go to school, life is full of decisions and we want to make sure that we are making the right decisions, so that we can stay on Gods perfect plan for our loves. Seeking him and understanding How God directs us is key to accomplishing that.
Before we get into this episode, I want to let you know about two books that have been impactful in my life.
- The first book is Good to Great in God’s Eyes by Chip Ingram. This book will greatly help you know who you are in Christ, is very practical and easy to understanding.
- The second book is Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men by Dr. Myles Monroe. This book is for men and will help you grow up spiritually. I highly recommend it.
You can purchase them from amazon and I have included hyperlinks above. You can also read a preview for the books or the reviews if you like. I assure you they will be a blessing to you.
Let’s get into this episode. Click below to listen.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
To receive Gods guidance we must acknowledge God in all our ways. This means turning every area of life over to him. Be honest with yourself and ask, In what areas have you not acknowledged him? Make God a vital part of everything you do. Then he will guide you because you will be working to accomplish his purpose.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21
This verse says that when you step out with faith in what God has said to you, He will confirm that you are heading in the right direction. Believe in the Word that God spoke. Step out in faith. Listen for God confirming your steps. This is one of my life verses and I pray this one when I am about to step out to do anything.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. – Psalms 32:8 (NKJV)
What does this mean? “I will guide you with my eye”. If you remember when you were a child and you were about to do something that you know you shouldn’t do. You would look at your mom or dad and they will give you “the look” and you knew that you shouldn’t do what you are thinking. This is all possible because you have a close relationship with your parents to know what their facial expressions mean. Likewise, God wants such a close relationship with you that you will sense his countenance and know what you should do.
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. – Psalms 71:1(KJV)
One of the ways that God will guide and confirm that you are making a good decision is if there is no confusion concerning what you are doing. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Look for Gods peace to guide you to make the right decisions.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.– 1 Kings 19:11-12
Elijah knew that the sound of gentle blowing was God’s voice. He realized that God doesn’t reveal himself in powerful miraculous ways and if you only listen for Gods voice in large churches conferences or crusades you may miss him. Step back from the noise and activity of your busy days and listen humbly and quietly for his guidance. It may come when you least expect it.
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. – John 10:3-5
As Jesus goes before us, we need to listen for His voice. Remember that anything that God will speak to you will always line up with His word. If the Devil tries to get you to make a bad decision or go down the wrong path remember that it will not fully line up with the word of God. It may sound like the truth but there is deception in it. Think back to the Garden of Eden, when the serpent lied to Eve. So if you are about to make a decision, remember that it will line up with the word of God and not go against any of Jesus’ teachings Listen for the voice of Jesus and don’t listen to the voice of the enemy telling you lies.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. – Joshua 1:9
One way that you can know that God is direction you is if you require courage to move forward. God requires you to have faith and be courageous which causes you to grow. God will use circumstances to help develop this in you. So if you are looking for Gods guidance about something you are doing, check to see if it requires courage.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. – Philippians 4:8
You need to govern the things that come into your mind. What you meditate on has an impact on when you do. This is why this verse says to think on certain things. And to support what I am saying, the bible says “as a man thinks, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. God’s word is His thoughts toward you. When you think in line when the Word, You will make your decisions that are in line with what God has for you.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2
This verse goes hand in hand with the previous verse. When we forget the old worldly ways of the doing things, and reprogram our minds according to Gods word we will eventually will be walking in Gods will for our lives. God guides us through obeying His written word so instead of asking God to speak to you with a loud audible voice, spend time with His word and start to learn what he says to do and apply it in your life.