Discerning God's Will

(1) Biblical Mandate: If the issue is directly addressed by the Bible...do it! (2) If there is no Biblical command, we are responsible to choose the best course of action.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13

Choosing the Best Course

Gather all the facts. Ask yourself the following questions...

  • What does the Bible say about this?
  • What are my heartfelt desires?
  • What do the people I trust and respect say about this?
  • What is the feasibility of this, given my present life circumstances?
  • Will this option be suitable and helpful for reaching my objectives?

Develop a set of criteria that will be used to make your final decision. Come up with 3 - 5 bottom line statements. These are criteria that must be met if you are to become what God wants you to be.

These statements must be made irrespective of potential roadblocks and hindrances, and they must agree with Biblical truth.

Examples include:

  • The organization I'm going to work for must require 2 years of field ministry.
  • The ministry in which I am going to invest must be on a path of growth and development.
  • Run all of your options through this sieve to see which options match all of your bottom line statements. It should rule out 85% or more of your choices.
  • Come up with alternatives.
  • Force yourself to find several alternatives. The first choice is often not the best! Think broadly and thoroughly.
  • Make sure that your alternatives still fit with your core criteria.

Evaluate your alternatives by your criteria. Prioritize your criteria in order of what is most to least important to you. A negative evaluation means a NO decision. A positive evaluation means a POSSIBLE decision. Be ruthless!

Select from among the positive options. Bring your options before a group of close associates or mentors.Ask them to evaluate your thought process. Have I missed anything? Do these alternatives seem to be the best options? Speak to me!

Choose from among the positive alternatives.

Remember that you are not alone in making this choice!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.Isaiah 26:3

Once again, run "The Final Decision" by the following:

  • Does it violate Biblical truth or principle?
  • Does it meet all of your criteria?
  • Does it align with my desires and circumstances?
  • Have people whom I trust and respect agreed with this decision?
  • Is it the best of my possible options?

Further Reading: YouthSpecialties.com

"In His will is our peace." Dante, The Divine Comedy: Paradise