James 1:5 (Matt 25:20, 21)
Jesus likened His return to the arrival of a bridegroom to his wedding feast (Matt 25:1-13). Customarily a group of virgins carrying lamps would join the wedding procession as it neared the place of feasting. So, Jesus describes ten virgins, five of whom are prudent and five foolish. The prudent ones are called prudent, because they foresaw their needs and were prepared with oil for their lamps. Likewise, those who look ahead to Christ's return and Judgment Day and prepare accordingly are wise - because no last minute fixes will be possible! The other five failed to appreciate their future needs and consequently were unprepared. Only then did they fully realize the gravity of their carelessness, for they were refused entrance to the feast. So also, carelessness toward the future Day of Judgment is dangerous! If we care little what His will is for us to do, we may find ourselves like the foolish virgins. It behooves us to be concerned to know His will and to be ready on the Day of Judgment.
Here are some examples of questions that typically stimulate this question:
Should I marry? Whom? (cf. 1 Cor. 7)
Where should I go to School? What job or profession should I choose?
How much education should I seek?
What should I do with my money? my time?
What Christian work should I support?
Am I called to be a missionary?
What are some important decisions in your life that you presently face?
Write them down so that they are clearly defined in your mind.
Now write what you think is the best course of action - and why.
This is your first major step to finding God's will!
James 1:5-8 tells us the method of finding His will: seek wisdom. James 1 is addressed to Christians undergoing trials (1:2-4, 12) who likely wondered what God's will was for them then. God here promises to answer the prayer for wisdom. What is wisdom, and how will it show me His will? Wisdom, in a word is the ability to solve problems with only limited data available. A key example is Solomon, 1 Kings 3:6-28. Notice God did not reveal to Solomon which woman was in the right. There was no communication from God. Rather, Solomon figured out the solution by shrewdly learning what was in the women's hearts. This passage is clearly set forth as a great example of wisdom. Therefore, in a sense, Solomon did not "find God's will", as though only one perfect way to deal with the situation existed and had to be revealed to him. Solomon's judgment fulfilled justice, solved the problem and accorded with God's moral will. Solomon took the best action.
Another example of wisdom at work is Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents). Each servant is entrusted with money according to their abilities. Similarly, we have been given gifts from God, which are esteemed by Him as investments in us. Each of us according to our ability will be called to give an account of our management of these gifts. Notice that how each servant uses his money is left to the creativity and wisdom of the servant. The master “went on his journey" (25:15). No communication is sent from the master. Nevertheless, the decisions the first two servants made are praised by the master, because they cared enough to find a way to invest profitably for their master. Thus, we have the basic idea of what wisdom is and have seen how acting wisely fulfills God's will.
There are a number of principles for making wise decisions, but we can only look at a few. (See "Biblical Problem Solving".) The above passages teach the following
1. Have your eternal future in mind. Appreciate the reality of Judgment Day.
2. Pray for wisdom, trusting His promise to give.
3. Make proper use of the gifts and potential God has invested in you.
4. Be creative and productive with the Lord's interests first in mind. Don't be lazy!
Here are other important general principles:
5. Be committed to doing God's will despite your own desires. Reserving self-will is disobedience and clouds your thinking. Prov. 4:23, 28:5 (e.g. Nehemiah 6:1-3, 10-14)
6. Base your thinking on Scripture. The Bible has everything for you to live a life pleasing to God. 2 Tim 3:16, 17; Psalm 119:97-104; Deut 4:5-8.
7. Seek advice from faithful Christians with experience. Weigh their advice against the Scriptures and make your own decisions. Prov. 15:22
8. Have a life-strategy. What are you going to accomplish with your life for the Lord? How are you presently carrying out this strategy?
In James 1 the Holy Spirit tells us that God is the source of wisdom (Prov 2:6, 7; Col 3:3). Solomon's wisdom was clearly from God. In fact, in 1 Cor 12:7-8 we learn it is the Holy Spirit who administers a special gift of wisdom (e.g. Exodus 31:3). Nevertheless, many believers think God guides Christians in general by various kinds of revelation, a communication from God indicating the direction to take....
God can reveal today. He did to prophets in earlier times, and He has not changed (1 Cor 13:8-12 refers to the resurrection and does not mean prophesy is impossible now). However, there are two crucial facts about revelation. First, anyone who claims to have a revelation from God, whether a dream, vision, or verbal message (Num 12:6-8) is to be tested as a prophet. We are commanded to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1-3), “test everything” (1 Thess 5:21), and the rules for testing have been set down in Deut 13:1-5 (cf. Isa 8:20) and Deut 18:20-22. First, God never contradicts His Holy Scriptures or any moral or other teaching in them. Second, God never fails to carry out what He revealed He would do or make a mistake in what He indicated was true. These commands apply today; God has not changed!
Regarding these tests, those who have claimed special "leadings" from God have typically failed to apply Deut. 13 and 18. Here are some examples.
Prophecy today, although it may be very helpful and on occasion overwhelmingly specific, is not in the category of the revelation given to us in Holy Scripture. Scripture is God-inspired (theopneustos, 2 Tim 3:16). It was superintended by God in it's origination and is free of pollutants. There is no mixture of human failing with an inerrant Spirit. God's special hand was on the authors, not to override their personalities but to hedge them about in their thoughts and expressions (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
Such a claim cannot be made for prophecy today. A person may hear the voice of the Lord and be compelled to speak, but there is no assurance that it is pollutant-free. There will be a mixture of both flesh and spirit. (Mallone, p. 39-40)
Sometimes 1 Cor 13:9 is used to justify false prophecy as prophesying "in part" (as though it were a gift to be developed) (Mallone, p. 47), but this passage says only that prophesy provides partial knowledge, not incorrect information. God promises that a mistake in prophesy is His work in revealing a false prophet (Ezek. 14:9; Isa. 44:25, 26) and that even the prophets interpretation is without error because the Holy Spirit is guiding the prophet (2 peter 1:20-21).
The second major fact about revelation is that the method of communication according to Scripture is not inner feelings or outward circumstances. Check these examples.
The Spirit of God will often give guidance through circumstances, personal counsel and inward persuasion. (Mallone, p. 47)
The Witness of the Holy Spirit - An inner voice known by all true children of God. The Holy Spirit is able to "check" you inside as to whether or not something is of God. You must NEVER act on a doubtful impression..... His Voice is gentle, familiar-sounding, loving and leaves you with a sense of spiritual uplift and rejoicing, never fright. (Pratney)
Notice that this "voice" is inaudible, so it is very difficult for them to quote what God "spoke" to them. Biblical examples of revelations consist of quotable words. The method to obtaining this leading is summed up:
If you have fulfilled His conditions, the lines of communication between you are open. Ask God to show, in faith, expecting Him to answer. Look for an immediate, definite impression. Do what He tells you to do. If nothing comes immediately - thank God for His answer of "wait." (Pratney)
We need to wait for the Holy Spirit to give that inner peace and assurance that we have understood correctly. If we are still hearing conflicting messages, there will be no peace. (Gilbert)
Since this method itself - opening yourself to be guided by inner feelings as though from God - disagrees with the Holy Spirit's method as described in Scripture, their claims to revelation are discredited as a general rule. God answers prayers that are in accord with His will, not any demand that pleases us (I John 5:14, 15). In principle, this method is a manifestation of mysticism:
The common element in all these varieties of mysticism is that they all seek all, or most, or the normative or at least a substantial part, of the knowledge of God in human feelings, which they look upon as the sole or at least the most trustworthy or the most direct source of the knowledge of God. (Warfield, p. 449-450)
A new inner authority (feelings) has been added to the external authority the Holy Spirit has written - the Bible. What is the practical effect of introducing such an immediate and specific source of revelation without proper testing? The Bible becomes only a secondary authority by which to check final decisions. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 clearly states that the Bible is sufficient to make us completely equipped to do His will.
There are other mistakes in this method. Advice from other Christians, for example, becomes a source of confirmation that your present convictions are God's will (Pratney). This, is a special case of being led by striking circumstances that appear to be confirmation.
Circumstances are to be considered also... Suddenly during the rest period, or as I woke from sleep, the answer would be there - so clearly I had no hesitation in following it, He had spoken in the stillness when my mind was completely at rest trusting in Him. (Gilbert)
Gideon is often cited as support for seeking "signs" ("fleecing") from God (Judges 6:36-40). However, in the context of Judges 6, the fleeces Gideon put out for signs were not signs to give guidance. Gideon knew God's will. Now, at a time of high pressure, Gideon sought assurance for his faith: "... then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said" (6:37). Furthermore, Gideon asked for a miraculous sign, not just a striking coincidence. If Gideon's example applied, it would apply at this point too although God mercifully granted Gideon's request, Gideon asked out of a lack of trust for what he knew God promised and wanted. (For more on "fleecing", see Friesen, p. 221-224).) Compare Luke 1:18-20 for a similar example of unbelief that was not so favorably blessed. In times of stress God will give assurance Matt 11:2-11 Jer 32:8, Luke 11:13, Rom 8:26.
The Bible should be used as a source of guidance, but in the right way (e.g. Ps. 119:97-104).
The "open page" method is another variety of seeking a sign, only now the Bible is used:
Open Page Method - Definitely not to be abused! Ask God in faith to guide you to the right Scripture for your need. Open the Bible, trusting Him to speak to you from it. (Pratney)
This method does not differ in principle from divination, or fortune-telling.
Being led by circumstances is seeking a sign, and Christ rebuked this outworking of unbelief in the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:1-4). Even they had the wisdom to understand the truth about Himself, Jesus says, if only they applied their understanding consistently. To continue to ask for direct knowledge of the right guidance when God has promised instead to provide wisdom is testing God. The sin of testing God is requiring God to do beyond what He has promised (e.g. Ps. 78:18-20).
The following verses are often used to support some of the above claims about "leadings by feelings" and similar guidance. We offer here some corrective comments.
Romans 8:14-16 To be “led by the Spirit” means to put to death the deeds of the flesh (8:12-13), i.e. to obey His written Word (8:4-9 speaks about two groups: those who set their mind on the flesh (not Christians) vs. those who set their minds on the Spirit (Christians). The "witness" of the Spirit (8:16) specifically refers to personal assurance of being saved evidenced by living according to the Spirit in verses 4-9, 12, 13.
Proverbs 3:5, 6 Leaning on "your own understanding" means setting aside the Bible and presuming to have a better way. The context of verse 1 clearly shows this, Prov. 3:1 - My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments. cf. Prov. 2:1. We are however exhorted in Scripture to get understanding and not to leave understanding. (Prov. 4:7; Prov. 21:16). To study Scriptural principles so that we can use them in solving problems is to lean on the Lord's wisdom, not our own understanding. "He will direct your paths" means God will prosper your efforts; the NIV translation is clearer “he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 11:5).
John 10:3-5, 27 The context is not personal guidance in making decisions. The point is that Christians do not follow false teachers or false teaching (9:40, 41; 10:6, 13).
John 14:26, 16:12, 13 These promises are addressed directly to the apostles to whom they were spoken. Guidance into "all truth" surely cannot mean omniscience, but all we need to lead Godly lives. The promise of future revelation to the apostles finds its fulfillment in the writings of the New Testament.
1 John 2:20, 21, 26, 27 All we believers have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (Rom. 8:9) and thus need no special, inspired teacher to interpret Scripture for us, for example. The Spirit commends the Bereans in Acts 17:11 for checking all even the apostle Paul's teaching against the Bible (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). The Spirit gives us the ability to understand spiritual truths (1 Cor. 2:12-16) although lack of growth may hinder this development (1 Cor. 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14). These passages refer to God-given wisdom.
Isa. 30:21 - Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
In this verse, it is said, the Lord promises His people that He will give them special moment by moment revelation telling them what they should do. Once again, however, context clears up the meaning of the passage. Isa. 30:20 - Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. By backing up just one verse, we see that the voice telling God's people what to do is that of their teachers, surrounding God's people with counsel and admonition.
Ps. 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go; I will guide you with my eye.
The Lord is said to guide his believers with the glances of his eye, to which his sensitive believers will respond moment by moment. . This verse is not about general guidance, the context is dealing with david turning to God and confessing his sin to the Lord; In the same way, God will prick our conscience and will give us heavy hearts until we confess our sin to Him just like He did to David. The glance of His eye is like a father or mother looking at their child in such a way that they feel guilty and know they should confess their sin to their parent and be forgiven. The next verse deals with those who won't listen to the look of the eye (the prick of the conscience) but needs more servere discipline.
Ps. 32:9 -Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
We are instructed not to abandon understanding, but that the Lord will instruct, teach and counsel us. We in turn will obey him by confessing and forsaking our sin.
Ps 101:6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me.
(cf. Prov. 4:7 - Get wisdom, get understanding). We get wisdom by fearing the Lord and listening to sound instruction (doctrine), not by seeing how we feel about things.
Perhaps questions about vocation, school and lesser issues are not directly emphasized in the Bible for the reason that they are not the primary concerns. When your heart is right with God and you are living for Him first, wisdom comes through the normal means - God's answering your prayer for wisdom and your faithful studying and obeying the Bible (Prov. 8:9, 28:5). For such a person, "the certitude required for life's decisions is adequately transmitted, in His providence, by the supplied data" (Eckelmann, p. 84).
Do you have a life-strategy? If not, now would be a good time to consider 1 Cor. 3:10-15. Judgment Day will reveal the quality of our work in this life. In the eternal perspective, God is concerned with quality service; one ruby is far more valuable than stacks of straw and sticks. Why not aim at using your life and the gifts God has given you in the most intelligent and effective way possible? Why not really be a Christian? The more gifts we have, the more God will expect of us (Luke 12:48).
Eckelmann, Herman J., An Evidential Approach to Christianity, Journal of the American Scientific Association, June 1984.
Friesen, Garry with J. Robin Maxson, Decision Making and the Will of God, Multnomah Press, 1980.
Gilbert, E. Fidelia, M.d., Can You Know God's Will? American Tract Society.
Mallone, George, Those Controversial Gifts, InterVarsity Press, 1983.
Pratney, Winkie, Knowing God's Will, Last Days Ministries, 1983.
Warfield, B.B., Mysticism and Christianity, in Biblical and Theological Studies, Samuel G. Craig (ed.), Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1968.
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