Many times Christians say something like: "Please pray that we will know what the Lord's will is for us." Or they will go to a respected friend or pastor and ask: "What do you think God's will is for me in this situation?" If we are at all serious about following Jesus, then wanting to know the will of God in our lives is a very legitimated desire.
However there is a more fundamental question whose positive answer should not be presumed. "Am I ready and willing to do the will of God?"
Sometimes it becomes evident that people wanting to know the will of God are really simply wanting to get God's blessing or His "OK" on what they've already decided to do. They want to do the will of God only if His will agrees with their will.
"Should I date or marry this person? Should I leave this job or take this job? Should I leave this marriage or this church?" Often someone will ask this kind of question of two, three or a dozen different people. They are really searching for Christians who will affirm what they want to do and perhaps are already determined to do. This affirmation will relieve their conscience as they do what they really want to do anyway. If their desires are not affirmed, watch! They will find some justification for going against the counsel you or others have given.
A biblical example? It is found in Jeremiah 42 and 43. Listen to these words from some Jews who are facing a significant decision. They wisely asked the prophet to find out from God; "where we should go and what we should do." They promise Jeremiah that if He tells them God's will: "Whether it is favourable or unfavourable, we will obey the Lord our God --- we will obey the Lord our God".
When Jeremiah brings them a strong, detailed, clear direction from God they reject his message. How could they do this after what they so definitely promised ten days before? They knew what was "the best decision" but of course did not want to appear to be disobeying God, so they simply said to Jeremiah "You are lying!"
Read the chapters and remember to ask yourself (and others): do I just want to know the will of God, hoping He will bless my decisions; or do I really want to do know and do the will of God no matter how uncomfortable this might be?
However there is a more fundamental question whose positive answer should not be presumed. "Am I ready and willing to do the will of God?"
Sometimes it becomes evident that people wanting to know the will of God are really simply wanting to get God's blessing or His "OK" on what they've already decided to do. They want to do the will of God only if His will agrees with their will.
"Should I date or marry this person? Should I leave this job or take this job? Should I leave this marriage or this church?" Often someone will ask this kind of question of two, three or a dozen different people. They are really searching for Christians who will affirm what they want to do and perhaps are already determined to do. This affirmation will relieve their conscience as they do what they really want to do anyway. If their desires are not affirmed, watch! They will find some justification for going against the counsel you or others have given.
A biblical example? It is found in Jeremiah 42 and 43. Listen to these words from some Jews who are facing a significant decision. They wisely asked the prophet to find out from God; "where we should go and what we should do." They promise Jeremiah that if He tells them God's will: "Whether it is favourable or unfavourable, we will obey the Lord our God --- we will obey the Lord our God".
When Jeremiah brings them a strong, detailed, clear direction from God they reject his message. How could they do this after what they so definitely promised ten days before? They knew what was "the best decision" but of course did not want to appear to be disobeying God, so they simply said to Jeremiah "You are lying!"
Read the chapters and remember to ask yourself (and others): do I just want to know the will of God, hoping He will bless my decisions; or do I really want to do know and do the will of God no matter how uncomfortable this might be?
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