Principals of Guidance & Finding God’s will

Principals of Guidance & Finding God’s will

Types of Decisions

1.  Straight-forwards moral decisions

a.  Should I murder my professor?

b.  No (Ex. 20:13)

2.  Complex moral decisions

a.  Should I divorce my spouse?

b.  This is a more difficult question because the Bible says most of the time no and in one case yes (Mt. 19:1-12). The character of God demands every loving effort over a long period of time, even in the case of adultery (for instance, see the case of Hosea).

3.  Gray area

a.  Should my small group leader and I go out for a beer and a movie?

b.  It depends…on where you are, who you are, how old you are, and who you are with (Romans 14; Romans 13:1-3; 1 Cor 8)

4.  Complex non-moral

a.  Should I major in mathematics or education? Should I attend U of I? Should I date Christian person_________?

b.  For these, read scripture and seek wise counsel!

c.  Is there a kingdom value involved that I should consider?

d.  Sometimes, our motivations, experiences & weaknesses can turn “complex non-moral” decisions into decisions that have moral consequences. For example, if I choose my major based on which career will make me most wealthy, that is not a Kingdom value and needs to be reassessed.

5.  Straight-forward non-moral

a.  Should I buy a Ford or a Chevy? Or Toyota?

b.  Use common sense, seek advice and make a decision!

Three “Types” of God’s Will:

1.  God’s sovereign will (Ephesians 1:9-10)

2.  God’s moral will (Ex 20, Matthew chapters 5-7, for example)

3.  God’s individual will

Different views of finding God’s will:

Approach #1: “God has a blueprint”

Response:

1.  For his moral will, yes – the blueprint is the bible

2.  What problems can you see in this approach?

Approach #2: “God doesn’t give anyone any input”

Response: Yes he does!

1.  The Bible

2.  The church

3.  Godly friends, pastors and leaders

4.  Our brain

5.  Prayer – a 2-way conversation!

Approach #3: “God only gives us the Bible”

Response: This attitude doesn’t account for the Holy Spirit’s ability to guide individuals in specific ways

1.  For his moral will, He gives us the Bible

2.  For his will for all of humanity, He gives us the Bible too (Eph 1:9-10)

3.  For specifics on our personal lives, He gives us His Spirit as well.

Approach #4: “If you’re heart is right with God, then do whatever you want!”

Response:

1.  Yes, if the decision is in the non-moral will category

2.  There are many pertinent questions to ask: can you think of some?

3.  Compare Jeremiah 17:9 vs. Proverbs 3:4-5

Approach #5: “Never follow your heart because it is sinful and evil”

Response:

1.  If it is, you’d better repent and develop a closer relationship with God.

2.  If our motivations are wrong….the answer is not always “don’t do it…the answer should be change your heart motivations.”

3.  Ask God to Ps. 51:10 – Create a clean heart in you and restore the correct spirit to your attitudes.