Divine Guidance
The Mustard Seed newsletter, Campus Ministry column
September 2008 - February 2009
Pastor Ron Friedrich
September 2008 - February 2009
Pastor Ron Friedrich
Recently I saw an interview with a devout atheist. He is a university professor whose mission in life is stomping out Christian influences in our culture. When the interviewer ask the professor if he wants to see everyone reject God and embrace atheism, he said, "I don't mind if people believe in religion, just so they don't let it influence the way they live." Think about that statement a minute, and you will probably come up with a half dozen responses as I have. You may even have a good laugh.
The Christian faith is suppose to influence the way we live, the way we think, and the way we relate to other people. Our relationship with Christ is, first and foremost, concerned with our eternal destiny -- where we go when we die. But faith in Christ also has a practical side that directs the decisions we make every moment of our lives -- decisions to what is good, wise, and right, and decisions not to do wrong.
It is to this practical side of our faith to which I will dedicate our campus ministry articles this year. We will focus on two topics: (1) How to receive God's guidance for important decisions. (2) How to successfully resist temptation. So let's jump in right now to topic #1...
The Christian faith is suppose to influence the way we live, the way we think, and the way we relate to other people. Our relationship with Christ is, first and foremost, concerned with our eternal destiny -- where we go when we die. But faith in Christ also has a practical side that directs the decisions we make every moment of our lives -- decisions to what is good, wise, and right, and decisions not to do wrong.
It is to this practical side of our faith to which I will dedicate our campus ministry articles this year. We will focus on two topics: (1) How to receive God's guidance for important decisions. (2) How to successfully resist temptation. So let's jump in right now to topic #1...
Part 1
Right away I must correct something I just said about this topic: How to receive God's guidance for important decisions.
If we limit our consideration of God's leading only for the "important" decisions, we will fail miserably. Jesus said,
Right away I must correct something I just said about this topic: How to receive God's guidance for important decisions.
If we limit our consideration of God's leading only for the "important" decisions, we will fail miserably. Jesus said,
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10)
In other words, if we deliberately turn down God's counsel for the small "personal" decisions (like honesty and sexual purity), why should we expect God to guide us for the major "important" decisions (like job and marriage)? Even if God does graciously offer us His guidance for an important decision, would we be spiritually alert enough to even see His guidance? If we continually snub His leading, we deaden our consciences and become unable to sense His leading. We tend to search more for loopholes and excuses rather than to really desire to know God's will.
So the first step in receiving God's guidance is to "be willing to will the will of God." You can translate that into a prayer: "Lord, what do You want me to do?" More than anything else, we want what God wants. And when we find our desires conflicting with His desires, we pray that He will change our desires to conform with His.
That is an essential prerequisite to receiving God's guidance. How God actually communicates His plan to us... we will begin to explore that next.
So the first step in receiving God's guidance is to "be willing to will the will of God." You can translate that into a prayer: "Lord, what do You want me to do?" More than anything else, we want what God wants. And when we find our desires conflicting with His desires, we pray that He will change our desires to conform with His.
That is an essential prerequisite to receiving God's guidance. How God actually communicates His plan to us... we will begin to explore that next.
Part 2
When you face an important decision, and you want to know God's plan for you, how do you discover that plan? This year we are seriously examining principles of divine guidance. In Part 1 we looked at two important prerequisites to receiving God's leading: (1) Submit your desires to God's desires. Want what He wants. Be willing to will the will of God. And (2) obey God in the little decisions, the daily choices you make. If we do not obey Him in the small stuff, He has no reason to expect that we will accept His counsel about the big issues.
But if we really want to follow God's plan in every area of our lives, how do we actually find out that plan? The first and most important source of information is what God has already clearly told us in the Bible. If God has already revealed His mind on a subject, we don't need to pray about it.
Every once in a while I meet a church worker -- a pastor, a teacher, a secretary -- in an affair. Usually they tell me things like, "God led us together." Or "I prayed about it." Or "I wasn't looking for this to happen." They not only break one of the clearest commandments in the Bible, they also blame God for their behavior.
This principle is easy to understand when the question involves a moral issue cited in the Ten Commandments: lying, stealing, adultery. But the Bible also offers clear counsel in many matters for which we simply need wisdom. For example...
What should you say to a friend who asks you to cosign for a loan? What does the Bible say?
When you face an important decision, and you want to know God's plan for you, how do you discover that plan? This year we are seriously examining principles of divine guidance. In Part 1 we looked at two important prerequisites to receiving God's leading: (1) Submit your desires to God's desires. Want what He wants. Be willing to will the will of God. And (2) obey God in the little decisions, the daily choices you make. If we do not obey Him in the small stuff, He has no reason to expect that we will accept His counsel about the big issues.
But if we really want to follow God's plan in every area of our lives, how do we actually find out that plan? The first and most important source of information is what God has already clearly told us in the Bible. If God has already revealed His mind on a subject, we don't need to pray about it.
Every once in a while I meet a church worker -- a pastor, a teacher, a secretary -- in an affair. Usually they tell me things like, "God led us together." Or "I prayed about it." Or "I wasn't looking for this to happen." They not only break one of the clearest commandments in the Bible, they also blame God for their behavior.
This principle is easy to understand when the question involves a moral issue cited in the Ten Commandments: lying, stealing, adultery. But the Bible also offers clear counsel in many matters for which we simply need wisdom. For example...
What should you say to a friend who asks you to cosign for a loan? What does the Bible say?
Don’t promise to pay what someone else owes, and don’t guarantee anyone's loan. If you cannot pay the loan, your own bed may be taken right out from under you. (Proverbs 22:26-27)
You don't need to spend one second thinking about it. You don't need to discuss it. You don't need to pray about it. The answer is clear: "No!" And you spare yourself the pain of learning the lesson through bitter experience.
Another example...
A single mother of a 13-year old boy called me asking my advice. Her son had stayed overnight at a friend's house. Then next day when she did the laundry, she found that he had a new pair a blue jeans. She asked her son about it, and he said, "My friend gave them to me."
That seemed a bit strange to her. Teenage boys don't give away their new clothes to friends. She called her son's friend, and learned that her suspicions were right. He had stolen the jeans.
After she drove her son over to the friend's house to return the jeans, she knew that the matter still was not settled. She told me, "I am really worried. My son has never done anything like this before, but this is only the first step. I have to work and I can't be home when he comes home from school. He can get on his bike and go anywhere and get into serious trouble. I don't know what to do."
Neither did I! I said a quick prayer for God's wisdom for this mother. The answer came back with a simple thought: "What does the Bible say?" Duh! Right!
I told the mother, "The Bible says that if someone is caught stealing, and he still has the stolen item in his possession, he must return it DOUBLED. ... return the stolen item, plus one more just like it. [Exodus 22.4] So my advice is: Direct your son to find work to earn enough money and then buy his friend a second pair of jeans."
The mother said, "That's a great idea! We will do it!" And it worked. Her son stayed out of trouble for the rest of his teen years.
The Bible is loaded with practical wisdom for daily life. But suppose we face a decision that doesn't have a clear answer in the Bible? How should we seek God's direction?
Another example...
A single mother of a 13-year old boy called me asking my advice. Her son had stayed overnight at a friend's house. Then next day when she did the laundry, she found that he had a new pair a blue jeans. She asked her son about it, and he said, "My friend gave them to me."
That seemed a bit strange to her. Teenage boys don't give away their new clothes to friends. She called her son's friend, and learned that her suspicions were right. He had stolen the jeans.
After she drove her son over to the friend's house to return the jeans, she knew that the matter still was not settled. She told me, "I am really worried. My son has never done anything like this before, but this is only the first step. I have to work and I can't be home when he comes home from school. He can get on his bike and go anywhere and get into serious trouble. I don't know what to do."
Neither did I! I said a quick prayer for God's wisdom for this mother. The answer came back with a simple thought: "What does the Bible say?" Duh! Right!
I told the mother, "The Bible says that if someone is caught stealing, and he still has the stolen item in his possession, he must return it DOUBLED. ... return the stolen item, plus one more just like it. [Exodus 22.4] So my advice is: Direct your son to find work to earn enough money and then buy his friend a second pair of jeans."
The mother said, "That's a great idea! We will do it!" And it worked. Her son stayed out of trouble for the rest of his teen years.
The Bible is loaded with practical wisdom for daily life. But suppose we face a decision that doesn't have a clear answer in the Bible? How should we seek God's direction?
Part 3
In Part 2 we discussed the first and most important source of God's guidance -- the Bible. The Bible gives us vital counsel for moral decisions and for practical dilemmas. When we follow that counsel, we receive its benefits. But when we reject that counsel, we experience painful consequences.
In one respect, the Bible is like an automobile owner's manual. The owner's manual tells you how to get the best, longest service from your car. If we reject the car maker's advice, we can wreck the car or shorten its life. Our Maker, God, also has an owner's manual -- the Bible. When we follow His advice, we can experience the best life that God has planned for us. Rejecting His advice can ruin or even shorten our lives.
But what can we do if we don't know what the Bible says about our issue? Or how can we get God's advice if the situation we face is not in the Bible? The Bible recommends that we seek the counsel of mature Godly friends:
In Part 2 we discussed the first and most important source of God's guidance -- the Bible. The Bible gives us vital counsel for moral decisions and for practical dilemmas. When we follow that counsel, we receive its benefits. But when we reject that counsel, we experience painful consequences.
In one respect, the Bible is like an automobile owner's manual. The owner's manual tells you how to get the best, longest service from your car. If we reject the car maker's advice, we can wreck the car or shorten its life. Our Maker, God, also has an owner's manual -- the Bible. When we follow His advice, we can experience the best life that God has planned for us. Rejecting His advice can ruin or even shorten our lives.
But what can we do if we don't know what the Bible says about our issue? Or how can we get God's advice if the situation we face is not in the Bible? The Bible recommends that we seek the counsel of mature Godly friends:
Proverbs 11:14
"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure."
Proverbs 15:22
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
This does NOT mean that we should look for someone who will agree with our decision. We need advisers who are mature, wise, experienced, and most important, they know God and His Word. We need advisers who love us enough to tell us the truth, even when the truth hurts. The Bible says,
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
When my wife and I were in the process of buying our first house, we found one that looked good and was affordable. But because we never bought a home before, we asked an older Christian friend, an experienced home buyer/owner to look at the house before we signed any papers. The Realtor met the three of us back at the house and showed it to my friend. By the end of his tour, my friend convinced us not to buy it, and he also convinced the Realtor that she shouldn't sell it to us! The house had more problems than our young eyes could see. The house that God had waiting for us was much better than that one.
Sadly, not all stories end well. I know one man whose life is one bad decision after another. In his family life and in his finances, he always takes the easy route. His decisions have led to a heap of problems. But he cannot see the connection between his decisions and his problems. He blames God. One day, in desperation, he came to me for my advice. After he told me about all his woes, he asked, "What should I do?"
I didn't need to answer that, since we had discussed (and he had rejected) Biblical principles many times before. So I just turned his question back to him: "What is the right thing to do?"
He rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, I know, but that won't work. I need to be practical."
I asked him, "How do you know it won't work? You never tried it!"
Sadly, not all stories end well. I know one man whose life is one bad decision after another. In his family life and in his finances, he always takes the easy route. His decisions have led to a heap of problems. But he cannot see the connection between his decisions and his problems. He blames God. One day, in desperation, he came to me for my advice. After he told me about all his woes, he asked, "What should I do?"
I didn't need to answer that, since we had discussed (and he had rejected) Biblical principles many times before. So I just turned his question back to him: "What is the right thing to do?"
He rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, I know, but that won't work. I need to be practical."
I asked him, "How do you know it won't work? You never tried it!"
Part 4
What is God's plan for your life? When you face difficult decisions, how can you get God's direction? There is an effective source for God's counsel which is applicable to our daily lives. Sadly, the popular culture, in its race toward self-destruction, rejects divine wisdom as out-of-date nonsense. The Bible speaks practical truth to every area of life. We do well to heed its counsel. And we are fools to reject it.
However, there are times in which we face difficult decisions, when all available choices are good, moral, and right, when there is no clear "right" or "wrong" choice. What major should you choose? Should you live on campus or off campus? Which car should you buy? There are no Bible verses which give us direct answers to practical questions such as these.
Last month we looked at one important way God guides us through these kinds of decisions -- the advice of mature Christians who live by God's wisdom, who know us well, and who understand our circumstances. These friends and advisors often can foresee problems that we naively overlook. Often they recommend options which we have not considered. Their counsel protects us from hidden dangers. They encourage us toward paths on which our interests and talents can find expression in service to other people, and in service to God.
A third way that God often answers our prayers for guidance is His control of circumstances. My wife and I saw this during our first house-shopping experience.
After a good friend steered us away from a bad deal, we finally found a house that seemed like a good fit for us. This house was in good condition. The neighborhood suited us well. We even had close friends living in the same subdivision. The house had been up for sale for many months. And the price was right. So, we agreed, "Let's buy this one." We met with our Realtor to sign the papers to make an offer. We said a prayer for God's guidance and blessing. Then we waited. At the end of the day our Realtor called us back to report that we were too late. The owner had received three offers on the house all on the same day, and we were number three.
Were we disappointed? No. God obviously did not want us to have that house. Maybe He wanted that house for some one else. Maybe He was protecting us from a problem which we could not anticipate. Maybe God had something better for us. The "why" question is not important. We had asked God to guide us through the purchase of our first home. We believe that He was doing exactly that. And in this situation, He chose to use circumstances to guide us.
When we are unemployed and looking for a job, God will often answer our prayers for guidance by "closing a door." When He does that, we should thank Him, and then keep looking, keep "knocking" on other doors.
I must issue one caution here. When we are seeking God's guidance, we must be very careful not to assume that circumstances always communicate the will of God, especially when the circumstances seem to be leading us to do something that violates God's moral law. I cannot count how many times Christian people get into adulterous relationships, believing that God had led them together. They were coworkers or neighbors, and they fell in love. It appeared to them that the circumstances all point to God's will -- in clear violation of His Commandment, "You must not commit adultery." God's guidance in Scripture takes precedence over all other indicators.
What is God's plan for your life? When you face difficult decisions, how can you get God's direction? There is an effective source for God's counsel which is applicable to our daily lives. Sadly, the popular culture, in its race toward self-destruction, rejects divine wisdom as out-of-date nonsense. The Bible speaks practical truth to every area of life. We do well to heed its counsel. And we are fools to reject it.
However, there are times in which we face difficult decisions, when all available choices are good, moral, and right, when there is no clear "right" or "wrong" choice. What major should you choose? Should you live on campus or off campus? Which car should you buy? There are no Bible verses which give us direct answers to practical questions such as these.
Last month we looked at one important way God guides us through these kinds of decisions -- the advice of mature Christians who live by God's wisdom, who know us well, and who understand our circumstances. These friends and advisors often can foresee problems that we naively overlook. Often they recommend options which we have not considered. Their counsel protects us from hidden dangers. They encourage us toward paths on which our interests and talents can find expression in service to other people, and in service to God.
A third way that God often answers our prayers for guidance is His control of circumstances. My wife and I saw this during our first house-shopping experience.
After a good friend steered us away from a bad deal, we finally found a house that seemed like a good fit for us. This house was in good condition. The neighborhood suited us well. We even had close friends living in the same subdivision. The house had been up for sale for many months. And the price was right. So, we agreed, "Let's buy this one." We met with our Realtor to sign the papers to make an offer. We said a prayer for God's guidance and blessing. Then we waited. At the end of the day our Realtor called us back to report that we were too late. The owner had received three offers on the house all on the same day, and we were number three.
Were we disappointed? No. God obviously did not want us to have that house. Maybe He wanted that house for some one else. Maybe He was protecting us from a problem which we could not anticipate. Maybe God had something better for us. The "why" question is not important. We had asked God to guide us through the purchase of our first home. We believe that He was doing exactly that. And in this situation, He chose to use circumstances to guide us.
When we are unemployed and looking for a job, God will often answer our prayers for guidance by "closing a door." When He does that, we should thank Him, and then keep looking, keep "knocking" on other doors.
I must issue one caution here. When we are seeking God's guidance, we must be very careful not to assume that circumstances always communicate the will of God, especially when the circumstances seem to be leading us to do something that violates God's moral law. I cannot count how many times Christian people get into adulterous relationships, believing that God had led them together. They were coworkers or neighbors, and they fell in love. It appeared to them that the circumstances all point to God's will -- in clear violation of His Commandment, "You must not commit adultery." God's guidance in Scripture takes precedence over all other indicators.
Part 5
How does almighty God usually communicate to mortals? Thus far in our series we have examined three ways in which God shows us what we need to know and how He tells us what we ought to do.
First, God has already revealed His concern for each one of us in the Bible. Does the Bible really speak to the issues we face in our daily lives? Yes, it certainly does. The problem is that many people who attend church don't bother to read the Bible for themselves. They feel intimidated by the size of the Bible -- over 1000 pages. It seems like it would take a long time to read through the whole Bible. True, but what's the hurry? We should study the Bible every day for the rest of our lives, so we have plenty of time. Actually, a simple daily reading guide, like one posted on our Bible study resource page can help you read the entire Bible in just one year.
Another problem people have in reading the Bible is that sometimes they are intimidated by difficult language. Fortunately, we now have several translations in modern English. Many Deaf folks like to use the New International Reader's Version (NIrV), or the New Century Version. If you prefer, get the ASL version on DVD from www.deafmissions.org.
Second, God guides us through the counsel of godly friends and mentors. He especially gives us direction through people who are in authority over us. Often our thinking on an issue is clouded by our lack of experience, our ignorance of Scripture, or our own desires. Godly advisors can help connect our situation with Biblical principles, or they can alert us to hidden dangers.
Third, God often guides us through circumstances beyond our control. We may experience a career change, not by choice, but by force of circumstance. Is the hand of God in that kind of situation? Yes.
A fourth way that God may guide us is through a sense of inner peace that confirms a right decision, or the lack of peace that signals a wrong decision. Unfortunately, many Christians try this step first. They skip the Bible and godly counsel. They simply monitor their own feelings and interpret circumstances according to their preferences, and with that they assume God is leading them. Big mistake! However, for those who sincerely desire to do God's will, and have acquired the mind of Christ through diligent study of the Bible, the Spirit of Christ will guide them.
The Bible says,
How does almighty God usually communicate to mortals? Thus far in our series we have examined three ways in which God shows us what we need to know and how He tells us what we ought to do.
First, God has already revealed His concern for each one of us in the Bible. Does the Bible really speak to the issues we face in our daily lives? Yes, it certainly does. The problem is that many people who attend church don't bother to read the Bible for themselves. They feel intimidated by the size of the Bible -- over 1000 pages. It seems like it would take a long time to read through the whole Bible. True, but what's the hurry? We should study the Bible every day for the rest of our lives, so we have plenty of time. Actually, a simple daily reading guide, like one posted on our Bible study resource page can help you read the entire Bible in just one year.
Another problem people have in reading the Bible is that sometimes they are intimidated by difficult language. Fortunately, we now have several translations in modern English. Many Deaf folks like to use the New International Reader's Version (NIrV), or the New Century Version. If you prefer, get the ASL version on DVD from www.deafmissions.org.
Second, God guides us through the counsel of godly friends and mentors. He especially gives us direction through people who are in authority over us. Often our thinking on an issue is clouded by our lack of experience, our ignorance of Scripture, or our own desires. Godly advisors can help connect our situation with Biblical principles, or they can alert us to hidden dangers.
Third, God often guides us through circumstances beyond our control. We may experience a career change, not by choice, but by force of circumstance. Is the hand of God in that kind of situation? Yes.
A fourth way that God may guide us is through a sense of inner peace that confirms a right decision, or the lack of peace that signals a wrong decision. Unfortunately, many Christians try this step first. They skip the Bible and godly counsel. They simply monitor their own feelings and interpret circumstances according to their preferences, and with that they assume God is leading them. Big mistake! However, for those who sincerely desire to do God's will, and have acquired the mind of Christ through diligent study of the Bible, the Spirit of Christ will guide them.
The Bible says,
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
We could properly translate that word "guard" as "referee." Just as a referee in sports blows a whistle, throws a flag, or raises a hand when a player commits a foul, so also God's peace -- or more precisely, the lack of peace -- alerts us when we are disobedient, or when we are making a harmful decision. Colossians 3:15 tells us,
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
This is the conscience awakened by the Spirit of God through training in the Word of God.
Principles of Divine Guidance
Prerequisites: (a) Be willing to will the will of God. (b) Obey Him in little decisions and daily choices.
#1. What does the Bible say? -- the first and final authority
#2. Seek the advice of mature godly Christians.
#3. Circumstances
#4. Inner peace
Prerequisites: (a) Be willing to will the will of God. (b) Obey Him in little decisions and daily choices.
#1. What does the Bible say? -- the first and final authority
#2. Seek the advice of mature godly Christians.
#3. Circumstances
#4. Inner peace