There are many theories and views regarding perceiving and knowing the will of God as we make life decisions. (I have a great 250 page book devoted almost entirely to that one subject). Some are well grounded in Scripture, others not so much. Some are totally based on one story in Scripture others are based on a more theological approach based on principles taught in Scripture. I highly recommend the latter approach.
Examples of a one story approach: Gideon asked God for a sign and God used a fleece. Therefore to know God's direction, put out a fleece. But Scripture doesn't tell us we should do this any more than telling us that because the early church "cast lots" (probably like drawing straws) we should cast lots. Why ask God for a sign rather than draw straws when making a decision? There is no biblical authority for either.
Examples of Scripture principles regarding the will of God: it is good to seek counsel from more than one person (Proverbs 15:22; 24:6); make sure you have offered yourself as a living sacrifice and that you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1, 2)
Having written the above, I do however think we can take great comfort and gain wisdom from Paul's experience recorded in Acts 16:6 - 10. He has started on his second missionary journey and covered some familiar territory. However he is eager to evangelize where no one has yet gone. So after he and his team have visited some of the churches he and Barnabas had planted on the first trip, he is ready to go into the nearby province of Asia and preach the Gospel.
It seemed an obvious next step to Paul and his companions. However they "were kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia." (16:6) Door closed; we are not told how.
OK, they decide they should next preach in the district of Bithynia: "they tried to enter Bithynia but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to." Door closed: we are not told how.
Was Paul puzzled by this? I am only guessing, but I think he was. What should they do? Turn around and return home? No. Stop and do nothing? No. They keep moving and arrive in Troas. There Paul receives a "night vision" of a man of Macedonia "standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'" Paul and the others decided that this was God's direction and so they caught a boat and crossed the water from what we know as Asia to Europe. That door is open, and we all know the rest of the story.
Paul is doing what he is called to do. So when one door closes, he moves on; the second door closes, and he moves on. When another door opens, he walks through and serves God there. He saw great blessing and experienced some serious and painful opposition. But he followed God's leading.
What do we learn from this? One way God directs is by taking or keeping opportunities from us (door closed) and providing others (door open). Like Paul we should not quit after one door closes but rather recognize the sovereignty of God. And we should keep moving as long as we believe God is directing us. (I could list some verses for these three applications, but this blog is now long enough.
May you discern and follow God's leading. And never forget: God is much more interested in who you are becoming (holy character) than in what you are doing (His specific will for your life.)
Examples of a one story approach: Gideon asked God for a sign and God used a fleece. Therefore to know God's direction, put out a fleece. But Scripture doesn't tell us we should do this any more than telling us that because the early church "cast lots" (probably like drawing straws) we should cast lots. Why ask God for a sign rather than draw straws when making a decision? There is no biblical authority for either.
Examples of Scripture principles regarding the will of God: it is good to seek counsel from more than one person (Proverbs 15:22; 24:6); make sure you have offered yourself as a living sacrifice and that you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1, 2)
Having written the above, I do however think we can take great comfort and gain wisdom from Paul's experience recorded in Acts 16:6 - 10. He has started on his second missionary journey and covered some familiar territory. However he is eager to evangelize where no one has yet gone. So after he and his team have visited some of the churches he and Barnabas had planted on the first trip, he is ready to go into the nearby province of Asia and preach the Gospel.
It seemed an obvious next step to Paul and his companions. However they "were kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia." (16:6) Door closed; we are not told how.
OK, they decide they should next preach in the district of Bithynia: "they tried to enter Bithynia but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to." Door closed: we are not told how.
Was Paul puzzled by this? I am only guessing, but I think he was. What should they do? Turn around and return home? No. Stop and do nothing? No. They keep moving and arrive in Troas. There Paul receives a "night vision" of a man of Macedonia "standing and begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.'" Paul and the others decided that this was God's direction and so they caught a boat and crossed the water from what we know as Asia to Europe. That door is open, and we all know the rest of the story.
Paul is doing what he is called to do. So when one door closes, he moves on; the second door closes, and he moves on. When another door opens, he walks through and serves God there. He saw great blessing and experienced some serious and painful opposition. But he followed God's leading.
What do we learn from this? One way God directs is by taking or keeping opportunities from us (door closed) and providing others (door open). Like Paul we should not quit after one door closes but rather recognize the sovereignty of God. And we should keep moving as long as we believe God is directing us. (I could list some verses for these three applications, but this blog is now long enough.
May you discern and follow God's leading. And never forget: God is much more interested in who you are becoming (holy character) than in what you are doing (His specific will for your life.)
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