Will God’s plan for me simply
pop into my head someday or should I actually do something to obtain His
guidance? Can I simply pray asking for wisdom from God, or do I have other responsibilities that I must satisfy to obtain wisdom from God? These are good
questions! Some teachers say that all we need to do is ask and God will give us
wisdom in generous measures (James 1). Other teachers tell us that we must research the
Bible with a commitment to act on the wisdom God gives—through diligent study
of the Bible we gain wisdom. The first prescription requires little of the believer while the
second depends almost entirely on the believer’s efforts. Which way is correct?
Before I answer the question consider this passage:
A good man sheweth
favour, and lendeth: He will guide his affairs with discretion. (Ps. 112:5)
Personal
generosity is healthy and good, but it should be exercised with a fair amount
of discretion.
That is, we must be discreet, responsible and restrained exemplifying sound
judgement and prudent management. Discretion is generally the ability to make sound decisions. We are
challenged to “guide” our “affairs with discretion.” Thoughtfulness, planning, measurement,
and care are to be exercised as we address matters of personal and commercial
business.
Furthermore, discretion involves carefulness, maturity, prudence, and good
judgment in spiritual decision making
as well (Ps. 112:5). It is the ability to use God-given
discernment while making decisions pertaining to routine and peculiar matters. Such
capability can be learned by the people of God. Yes, sound decision making that
fulfills God’s plan for our lives can be learned through the Word, the Holy
Spirit, prayer, and disciplined decision making. Understand, this quality must
be cultivated, developed, and intentionally pursued. Each believer should make
a conscious choice to cultivate spiritual discretion.
The answer to our original questions is “both.” Yes, we are to pray earnestly to God for
wisdom, but we must also cultivate the development of spiritual thinking for
the sake of making decisions consistent with God’s Word and will. Yes, we can hear from God through thinking biblically, and God imparts wisdom when we ask and as we study the Word.
Theme: as responsible believers, God expects us to actively cultivate discretion related to His will
GOD’S
WORD ASSURES US SPIRITUAL DISCRETION CAN BE CULTIVATED.
The Bible repeatedly makes this claim and
assures us that each child of God’s life can be an exercise of discretion. God uses His Word to develop within us discernment—a sense of right and wrong,
good and bad. The Spirit helps us distinguish between character and image, and
substance and vanity. God helps us
realize what ‘right’ looks like so that we can recognize the right from the
wrong, and decide between good, better, and best in a given situation.
In order to lead a life that reflects God’s wisdom and
discretion, and to limit our susceptibility to misconceptions we must cultivate
spiritual discernment.
Phil 1:9-11, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; [moral
discernment in ethical matters]10, That ye may approve [recognize as
genuine through examination—appraisal] things
that are excellent [better, or of greater
value]; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11, Being filled with the fruits of
righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of
God.
In
effective service for the Lord, we must use our intelligence and exercise discernment. Otherwise, our efforts
are apt to be futile. So Paul is here praying not only that the Philippians
will continue in the display of Christian love, but also that their love will be exercised in full knowledge and all discernment.
Love
that is thus enlightened will enable them to discern the things that are more excellent. In all realms of life, some
things are good and others are better. The good is often the enemy of the best.
For effective service, these distinctions must be made.
Love
that is enlightened will also enable them to avoid what is questionable or
downright wrong. Paul would have them sincere,
4 that is, utterly transparent, and blameless in view of the day of Christ. –Believer’s Bible Commentary
Think Session:
Moral
Discernment Exercise:
What if someone who is truly saved and genuinely loves the Lord desires to
unite with the church, but they are HIV positive and have openly communicated
this fact? Should this be a condition for excluding from membership? Would it
be morally wrong to pry into his or her past? Do we feel a moral obligation to
inquire about how they contracted the disease?
Appraisal
Discernment Exercise: I
know that it is time to purchase another automobile for my family of six. What
should I buy? How much does my budget allow? What would actually meet our needs? Consider that it is good to buy a reliable vehicle that satisfies our needs—everyone in
the family fits safely and it gets us from point A to B. It is better to buy a pre-owned (minimal
depreciation) one that fits our budget—we can actually afford the car note,
insurance, and maintenance. It is best
to purchase a car in cash or with a huge down payment; a car that can be
readily serviced here in the area.
GOD’S
WORD SPELLS OUT HIS WILL FOR US IN SPECIFIC MANDATES.
Our tendency to misread God’s plan can be
significantly reduced by “understanding what the will
of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). God’s will
can be known and understood by us! Eph. 5:17, says, “Wherefore
be ye not unwise, but understanding [connect
concepts together in the mind] what the will of the
Lord is.” Understanding is like collecting the pieces of a puzzle and putting
them together. The mind grasps concepts and sees the proper relationship
between them. This requires serious thinking on our part—exercise your
mental muscles.
“Understanding” implies placing
precept together with practice as well. That is to mentally comprehend in order
to govern ourselves according to God’s pleasure and will. This largely
reduces misunderstandings, misconceptions, misapplications, and general
misreading of God’s will! Again this demands discipline and exertion of
mental energy.
God’s Plan for our lives is not hidden,
incomprehensible, nor mysterious. In fact God desires for His people to be well
informed and actuating His will daily. But it may require engaging all our
mental powers to arrive at what the Lord wants to achieve through us.
To guard against misconceptions related to God’s will,
gain a practical awareness of specific Bible statements related to God’s will and
their Implications.
Colossians 1:9-10, For this cause
we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to
desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all
pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of
God;
Note This Prayer for the Knowledge of
God’s Will (Col. 1:9).
Paul’s primary request was
that God would fill them with the knowledge of His will. There are two key words, “filled” and “knowledge”
to consider. “Filled” refers to a filling out to
completeness, and “knowledge” suggests a full,
deep understanding. This is not an
inner impression or feeling, but a deep and thorough knowledge of the will of
God that is finally and completely revealed in the Word of God (Col.
3:16; Eph. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Pet. 2:13, 15; 4:19).
·
Such knowledge of
God’s will does not come from a fleshly mind (which “puffs up,” 1 Cor. 8:1),
but the Holy Spirit enlightens a believer’s inner person (1 Cor. 2:5-6, 13),
with the Word of God.
·
“Wisdom” is, practical know-how which comes from God
(James 1:5; 3:15), and it is also the ability to accumulate and organize
principles from Scripture. Wisdom
applies knowledge in the best way.
·
“Spiritual Understanding” speaks of clear analysis and
decision-making in applying spiritual knowledge to various problems—the
application of Bible principles to daily living. Understanding sees what agrees and what conflicts
with God’s will. God’s will, revealed in the Bible, is made known to believers
by the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry.
Note This Purpose for the Knowledge of
God’s Will (Col. 1:10).
Why did the Apostle Paul want
the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will? [1:10] Was it so
they might become mighty preachers or sensational teachers? Was it so they
might attract large followings to themselves, as the Gnostics sought to do?
·
No, the true
purpose of spiritual wisdom and understanding is to enable Christians to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.
Here we have a very important lesson on the subject of guidance. God does not
reveal His will to us in order to satisfy our curiosity. Neither is it intended
to cater to our ambition or pride. Rather the Lord shows us His will for our
lives in order that we might please Him in all that we do. –Believer’s
Bible Commentary
Exercise:
What does the Bible say
about God’s will for us?
1. God Wills that We Be
Saved (2Pet.
3:9; 1Tim. 2:4).
2. God Wills that We Be
Spirit-Filled (Eph. 5:15-18).
3. God Wills that We Be
Thankful in Everything (1Thess. 5:18).
4. God Wills that We are set
apart from sin and unto His purposes (1Thess. 4:3-5).
5. God Wills that We Be
Submissive to Legitimate Authority (1Pet. 2:13-15).
6. God Wills that We Suffer
for Christ’s Sake (1Pet. 4:12-16, 19).
7. God Wills that We Glorify
Him with all our Opportunities (1Pet. 4:16; 1Cor. 6:20; 10:31).
The Lord Jesus epitomized all
of these mandates and is the supreme example for all aspects of God’s will (see
John 4:4; 5:19, 30; 1 Pet. 4:1, 2). Honestly if we truly lived this way in the
energy of the Holy Spirit, there would be little else to consider or to decide
upon with regard to God’s plan. Also bear in mind that God does afford us a
measure of latitude and freedom in decision making. There are times and
instances when He in His sovereignty literally leaves the choice with us.
Conclusion:
Eph 5:15, See then that ye walk circumspectly [exactly, precisely, diligently,
accurately], not as fools, but as wise, (Also Col. 4:5)
Walk
or proceed with clear direction from God. Live each day knowing exactly what
God expects and with confidence in the type of life He prescribes. Once you
know what He requires, proceed with precise adherence and compliance. Walk
circumspectly before your Lord. Much like a person walking a tight rope across
the Grand Canyon proceeds with preciseness and accuracy; let us walk with
exactitude in the plan of God for us. Again He has disclosed His will in His
Word there is no reasoned to be mystified regarding His plan.
Yes,
there will still be times when we need to make a decision and we will feel
uncertain about how to proceed. This is no indication that God has failed to
direct. It may mean we need to dig some in the Word and pray far more for
wisdom from God. It may also mean we need to connect spiritual principles one
with another like the pieces of a puzzle in order to discern God’s plan in a
particular matter. I am afraid God has been blamed far too often for hiding His
will when the key to knowing it is a matter of research on our part.
The
Lord never intended for His will to be mysterious or confusing. He does not
hide it and taunt us as we try to find it or figure it out. God’s will is not
hidden nor is it lost! Through the Word, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and
prayer we can understand exactly what God’s will is and make decisions in the
light of it. In doing so, we limit and reduce our vulnerability to deceptions
related to His plan for our lives. God not only want us to know His will but to
execute it daily with precision and accuracy to His glory!
Will God’s plan for me simply pop into my head someday or should I actually do something to obtain His guidance? Can I simply pray asking for wisdom from God, or do I have other responsibilities that I must satisfy to obtain wisdom from God? These are good questions! Some teachers say that all we need to do is ask and God will give us wisdom in generous measures (James 1). Other teachers tell us that we must research the Bible with a commitment to act on the wisdom God gives—through diligent study of the Bible we gain wisdom.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2015/06/thinking-biblically-hearing-from-god.html
#God #Decisions #Wisdom #Prayer #Guidance #Study #Bible #MaxEvangel
Will God’s plan for me simply pop into my head someday or should I actually do something to obtain His guidance? Can I simply pray asking for wisdom from God, or do I have other responsibilities that I must satisfy to obtain wisdom from God? These are good questions! Some teachers say that all we need to do is ask and God will give us wisdom in generous measures (James 1). Other teachers tell us that we must research the Bible with a commitment to act on the wisdom God gives—through diligent study of the Bible we gain wisdom.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2015/06/thinking-biblically-hearing-from-god.html
#God #Decisions #Wisdom #Prayer #Guidance #Study #Bible #MaxEvangel
Live each day knowing exactly what God expects and with confidence in the type of life He prescribes. Once you know what He requires, proceed with precise adherence and compliance. Walk circumspectly before your Lord. Much like a person walking a tight rope across the Grand Canyon proceeds with preciseness and accuracy; let us walk with exactitude in the plan of God for us. Again He has disclosed His will in His Word; there is no reason to mystify His plan.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2015/06/thinking-biblically-hearing-from-god.html
#God #Decisions #Wisdom #Prayer #Guidance #Study #Bible #MaxEvangel