How to Know God’s Will
Maneuvering twists and turns
Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is — what is good and pleasing and mature. (Romans 12:2, CEB)
The game of chess is a strategic one. If the participant takes time and thinks it through, the results can win the game. Life is a chess game of planning, strategizing, and implementing moves, but it is different in that the board and pieces can change at a moment’s notice. We face life-altering decisions.
As Christians, we have a guide in our decision-making. Yet, knowing the absolute will of God can seem daunting, and making a decision can feel like a guessing game.
I ask God, “Please make my choice clear.” However, I don’t always get that obvious revelation to my request. The clock is ticking, and making no decision is a decision. I must make my move.
There were times when my choices were wrong. The good thing is that God has my back. He takes my mistakes and makes them for my good.
Hindsight is 20/20.
Looking back, I see more clearly the error of my ways. I seek forgiveness, learn to forgive myself, and let the Lord do His work.
There are guidelines we can use to strategically separate our options into categories. Using a mash-up of scripture from Romans 12:1–2 and Colossians 3 might look like this.
First:
We must present our body, heart, and soul to the Lord. The Holy Spirit, abiding in us, will help us with our decisions. A life dismissing God is less effective than one with Him guiding us.
Second:
The Holy Spirit makes us compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient. Do the options before us fit this criteria?
Third:
Is the option based on revenge or forgiveness? Is it hurtful or helpful? Is our motivation one of the love of Christ and others?
Fourth:
Are we making a decision that conforms to Christ or the world?
Fifth:
Does the option have the potential to bring others to Christ? Is it glorifying Him, or are we glorifying ourselves?
Sixth:
Are we willing to give God gratitude and praise for our choice, or is it a choice that makes us shameful?
When we belong to Christ, we are in priestly service to the world for Him. We need to make sure we are in His will, seeking His will, and staying in His will.
(Proverbs 3:5-6, CEB) says,
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.
Even though with Christ as our guide, making some decisions is not clear-cut. The beauty is that God gives us options and the free will to choose.
As we walk in His path of holiness, we have all the tools we need to make choices that bring honor to Him. If we make a bad choice and fall, God is there to pick us up and help us to start anew.
