Knowing God's Will
- Scott Ziegler
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
“I wish God would just tell me!”
He has with a lot of things. He’s given us His Word, and there are a lot of straightforward instructions in it. Like the Ten Commandments, for example.
But the things specific to us: the daily things, switching jobs, which house to buy, who to marry, whether to have another kid. That’s where we struggle.
It is on purpose that He is more subtle in these things. It takes relationship and walking with Him to discern. Which is what He wants…a relationship.
Many years ago, I developed six questions to harmonize my decision-making with God’s will. Here they are...
Am I right with God? David declared, “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18 NLT). So first, I make sure that I’ve confessed and repented so that my heart can align with His.
Am I close with God? You can be right with another person and not be close with them. With this question, I will often take some time away to spend in deeper prayer, reading God’s Word, and fasting. If I am going to hear God’s voice, I have to be in tune.
What is my desire? Or simply put, “What do I want?” The closer we get to God, the more we want the things He wants. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). When we focus on pleasing Him, we begin to want what He wants.
Is that desire scriptural? Is there anything in the Bible that would lead me to think this is not from the Lord?
Have I carefully thought through godly advice? “Where there is no guidance, people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Never make a major decision without getting good advice from mature followers of Jesus.
Is the door open? God does sometimes communicate through circumstances. However, this is the last place I go. I never start here. It’s foolishness to interpret every change in circumstance as God’s leading. Instead, start with His Word, prayer, and good advice. But He’s also protected me from bad decisions by closing doors. Circumstances can be a way for the Lord to veto our plans when we are getting off track.
So how do you know what God wants you to do? He’s not going to trick you. He loves you and wants what’s best for you. If you sincerely seek His will, He’ll give you guidance.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).