A LOOK BACK

In our last two lessons, we began to study how to seek and find God’s will in the many important decisions we must make in our lives. I suggest you review those lessons of the first three steps in seeking God’s will. They include:

1) DESIRE GOD’S WILL ABOVE ANYTHING ELSE

2) DEVELOP A STRONG FOUNDATION OF SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES

3) INNER IMPRESSION

Each of the above points is explained in detail in Parts 1 and 2. Now we shall study three more points in learning how to discern the difference between the will of God and that of Satan or our own deceived flesh.

4. THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible is the final Supreme Court. There are no higher appeals. This Book settles everything. In other words, even if I am convinced that God has spoken to me—whether through impression, word, prophecy, dream, vision, etc., and I find that the Bible tells me the very opposite—I don’t even have to pray about what came into my heart or mind. God’s Word is the final umpire of God’s will, and anything that contradicts it is from the flesh and the devil.

There is a precious lady whom Norma and I dearly loved who endured a broken heart before she died. On her 25th wedding anniversary, her husband informed her that he had found another woman. Our friend was crushed.

Her husband’s reasoning? His wife had prayed for him for many years and he had finally been led to Christ by a woman in the church. That woman became his spiritual teacher (see the trap that was set?) and the two grew dependent on each other. Satan’s web of deceit grew thicker. Our friend and her husband had also wanted a son and even had chosen a name. They never did get their baby but this other woman had a son by that same name. The husband put these “miracles” together and figured this just had to be God leading him to this other woman. He never arrived at step four or he would have learned that God’s Word calls what he did adultery.

One more example. Many times young Christians come to me with the strong desire to date or marry non-believers. I always point them to the “Supreme Court” of 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers…” Those who obeyed God’s Word later found that they had been saved from a horrible trap. Those who rebelled against the Scriptures often paid a terrible price.

The Word of God. What a Supreme Court! “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89) “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass  away.” (Matthew 24:35) Of all nine steps that I will give you in knowing God’s will before you act, the fourth step—the Word of God—is the one that stands out as the most important!

5. SIGNPOSTS

Travel any busy highway and you will find signs along the way indicating where you are. The same is true when following well-traveled mountain trails as arrows point the way to the summit. God is often like a map-maker or trail-marker. He will give signals or signposts to those who desire to do His will. Perhaps it will be something that takes place or an invitation from some person. Or maybe something you read or hear.

Keep your eye out for signposts or trends, but don’t base your decisions on them without checking further with all the other eight steps that will be shared before this lesson is finished. Remember Joshua when he was ordered to destroy the nations and take over their lands? (Joshua chapter 9) The Gibeonites were smart enough to know what God had done to Israel’s enemies. They decided on a trick that called for old shoes, old garments and moldy bread. Though they lived close to the children of Israel, they pretended to come from a far country and made Joshua promise not to destroy them. He later learned that he had been deceived because he went by only a “signpost” rather than take it in prayer to God as well as get advice from others (we’ll cover this point next).

Never let a signpost cancel out the clear-cut Word of God. Remember when Paul, with winter approaching, warned the ship captain not to make that hazardous journey. (Acts 27:9,10)

When the south wind blew softly (v.13) the captain disregarded Paul’s instructions from God and a shipwreck was the result. Many Christians find themselves shipwrecked because they sail on the “south wind of circumstances” rather than stand on the solid rock of the Word of God. Remember this simple rule—signposts or trends that are from the Lord will find an agreement in Scripture and will never be contradictory.

6. COUNSELLORS

Scriptures says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14) Blessed is the Christian who has some mature Christian friends he or she can depend on for advice. Most of the time, that wise counsel will help much in determining God’s will. Scripture also says, “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” (Proverbs 20:18)

When facing big decisions, get all the advice you can from as many directions as you can. A couple drove a long distance to see my wife and me. Their marriage was in trouble but for a different reason. This man was not unfaithful and was a magnificent husband. His problem was that he could not say “no”. Active in his church night after night, he still accepted more responsibilities. While gaining the applause of some in the church who were willing to let him do all the work, he was losing the respect of his wife who desperately needed him. We prayed, worked on his schedule and he promised to make adjustments. I even performed an impromptu ceremony in our living room as they renewed their wedding vows. Their seeking out advice saved their marriage.

TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT LESSON

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras