We’ve all been there. We’re at a crossroads in our life where we have to make a huge decision. We are willing to go either way as long as it is God’s will! We just don’t know what His will is. As believers one of the most common things you hear is, “I just want to do what God wants me to do. I’m just waiting to hear from God but so far He has been silent.” Finding God’s will is not always as magical as some would like it to be. Most of the time we won’t receive a lightning bolt from Heaven, but we can learn better to listen to Him, and to interpret and find what He is saying to us.
Here are some common ways that God uses to speak to us:
- Scripture. This is what God has already said. Most of the time God’s will for your specific situation can be referenced, directly in scripture! Beware of reasoning with it. Do not attempt to twist the words or pretend like you don’t understand the meaning. For this method to work: you need to know God’s word! It is necessary to immerse yourself in scripture frequently. We all know that when Satan tempted the Lord Jesus in the desert, Jesus quoted scripture as his reply. Did you also know that every verse Jesus quoted was in Deuteronomy? Jesus spent much time in Deuteronomy, and He used it. We must be able to bring up scripture like this and use it in our own lives. We must also never argue with it. A woman once asked a pastor what he thought of the fact that she was going to marry an unbeliever. He replied with, "the bible says that you should not be unequally yoked." "Yes, well, scripture is so hard to understand in some places," she argued. Then he told it like it was - "you have no problem understanding that verse, you have a problem obeying it." She never returned to his church.
- Our circumstances. He opens certain doors, and closes others. If something didn’t happen because of reasons out of your power, be content to know that God let that chance pass by for a reason. If you find yourself jumping over hurdle after hurdle to try and accomplish your own will, perhaps your will is not in alignment with God’s will. Let me give you an example. A man is fully convinced that buying a house is the will of God for him and his family. He jumps through many hoops including moving three hours from his job along with lying about his income on the application in order to get accepted. Can this be from the Lord? No, that's an example of a man that has broken down doors that the Lord has closed and locked. We must leave those doors alone! Let God guide you, and stop trying to push your own will over His. You never know what type of danger is lying behind those closed doors.
- His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals things to us in our hearts and minds – mainly through our conscience (which is part of our heart – our thoughts and feelings). He tends to be a quiet whisper instead of a loud thunder. You have to be careful because Satan will try to twist your thoughts and imitate the whisper. Always check your revelations with scripture. Test everything, hold fast to that which is good. The Holy Spirit will bring a joy and a peace to your spirit about your correct choices.
- Other Christians. "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety." - (Pro 24:6) It is good to talk to another wise Christian, such as a pastor or good friend. Yet remember that other believers give us advice, but only rely on the Holy Spirit to ultimately tell you what to do. Do not let other people take the place of the Holy Spirit (1 Jn 2:27). Other people can give us advice, but the Holy Spirit gives us guidance.
- Time. Beware the danger of hastiness. “Act in haste, repent in leisure.” Usually the Lord will reveal His will to you over time and so the most reliable way is to ask God about His will over a period of time, rather than making a large, important decision in one instant. Do not wait forever, however. A ship standing still is harder to turn around than a ship already moving. If you’re not sure of God’s will but it’s time to move, then do what you believe God’s will is and do it with all of your heart. If it turns out to be wrong, then He will be able to turn you around in the other direction.