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PART II: THE WILL OF GOD AND PRAYER
CHAPTER 14
THE WILL OF GOD
CONCERNING SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding. In
all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths. (Proverb 3:5-6).
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and
they follow me: (John 10:27).
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14).
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God:
(Romans 8:16).
THE WILL OF GOD IN SPECIFIC SITUATIONS IS REVEALED TO US BY THE
HOLY SPIRIT, ALWAYS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE BIBLE.
Introduction
We have covered some areas where the Bible clearly states
what God's will is. What about those situations in life where
one does not know what is right? How can we pray in line with
the Father's will if we don't know what God wants?
Prerequisites
Before we can expect to be led by the Holy Spirit, he must
be inside. After the new birth, he takes up his residence in the
heart of the believer:
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again. The wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and
whither it goeth: so is every one that is
born of the Spirit. (John 3:6-8).
Then we must walk in obedience to God. Jesus said,
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be
done unto you. (John 15:7).
It stands to reason that we must know Jesus' teaching in order to
be obedient to him. As we walk in the light (truth) that we
have, God gives more light for us to walk in.
Promises
God has promised that he would indwell us and lead us
individually. Some of those promises are listed at the beginning
of this chapter. There may be times when we hear so many
different "voices" that our minds are confused. This is the time
we must rest on the promises of God and remain in peace, knowing
that God will always keep his word.
Promptings (Internal)
THERE IS THE PROMPTING OR VOICE OF REASON. The intellect or mind
or brain of man is like a computer in that it functions on the
information fed into it. We are a product of our past experience
and conditioning. Hopefully, our minds are being fed more and
more correct information:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:1-2).
As we read and meditate on the Word of God, our human reason
becomes more reliable.
THERE ARE THE PROMPTINGS OR VOICES OF HUMAN DESIRES. Freud
called the primitive, pushing unregulated human urges the ID.
This includes hunger, thirst, aggression, and the strong sex
drive. There is also the motivation for self-actualization.
There is also the drive to control, that Nietzsche called "The
will to Power." Also, everyone needs to be accepted and to feel
self-worth. The need for love is very strong. The instinct of
self-preservation is very strong. The maternal instinct is also
a strong motivation.
THERE IS THE PROMPTING OR VOICE OF CONSCIENCE. God made man with
a conscience. Conscience is good, but it must be educated with
the moral principles of God's Word. Conscience becomes more and
more reliable as more of God's Word is assimilated. We must
choose to accept God's Word as binding on us and obey God as a
lifestyle. We must not rationalize away sinful behavior. We
must not reject parts of the Bible or add to the Bible:
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield
unto them that put their trust in him. Add
thou not unto his words, lest he reprove
thee, and thou be found a liar. (proverbs
30:5-6).
For I testify unto every man that heareth the
words of the prophecy of this book, If any
man shall add unto these things, God shall
add unto him the plagues that are written in
this book: And if any man shall take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book
of life, and out of the holy city, and from
the things which are written in this book.
(Revelation 22:18-19).
(For a more complete treatment of Conscience, see "Conscience,"
Chapter 3 of my book, HOW TO RAISE YOUR SELF-ESTEEM USING PROVEN
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES).
THERE CAN BE PATHOLOGICAL PROMPTINGS OR VOICES. We can also
experience touch, auditory and visual hallucinations. This could
be caused by drugs or mental illness. Again, always check
internal "messages" with the Bible. Hopefully, if mental illness
should occur, friends could help us.
Promptings (External)
THERE ARE THE PROMPTINGS OR VOICES OF OTHER PEOPLE. Parents,
grandparents and significant others have both a conscious and
unconscious effect on us. We value certain people and have
confidence in their counsel.
The phenomenon less understood is the unconscious human
internalization of the values of certain individuals and groups
of which they are a part. Grandma and Grandpa may be dead, but
they will probably still be speaking to us when we face
decisions. Both the living and the dead whose values we have
internalized are ever with us until we accept some transcending
values such as biblical values.
Advice from mature Christians and Christian leaders can be a
valuable asset. Again, advice must agree with the Bible.
THERE ARE THE PROMPTINGS OR VOICES OF EVIL SUPERNATURAL BEINGS.
Satan and his demons can inspire wrong beliefs (doctrines of
demons), tempt us in the areas of the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eyes and the pride of life. Jesus was tempted in these
areas by Satan:
Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And
when he had fasted forty days and forty
nights, he was afterward an hungred. And
when the tempter came to him, he said, If
thou be the Son of God, command that these
stones be made bread. But he answered and
said, It is written, Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the
devil taketh him up into the holy city, and
setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And
saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God,
cast thyself down: for it is written, He
shall give his angels charge concerning thee:
and in their hands they shall bear thee up,
lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a
stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written
again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an
exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all
the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of
them; And saith unto him, All these things
will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and
worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get
thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou
shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only
shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth
him, and, behold, angels came and ministered
unto him. (Matthew 4:1-11).
Jesus overcame his temptation by Satan. Adam (and Eve) were
tempted by Satan, but did not overcome:
Now the serpent [Satan] was more subtil than
any beast of the field which the LORD God had
made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath
God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of
the garden? And the woman said unto the
serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees
of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree
which is in the midst of the garden, God hath
said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall
ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent
said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat
thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and
ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good
for food, and that it was pleasant to the
eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one
wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did
eat, and gave also unto her husband with her;
and he did eat. (Genesis 3:1-6).
Satan and demons can also "appear as an angel of light,"
that is, appear to be a good angel or speak through human beings
giving wrong directions. Demons can "channel" through people and
bring false guidance. Demons can masquerade as deceased loved
ones and bring false messages. Demons drive and coerce,
impressing us to "do it right now."
The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and generally leads us with a
"small still voice" and a gentle, steady impression over period
of time.
It is important to try all "messages" with the objective
teaching of the Bible.
THERE ARE THE PROMPTINGS OR VOICES OF ANGELS. It is biblical to
be visited by God-sent angels. Angels are the messengers of God.
They are also sent to do the work of God and protect and minister
to believers:
But to which of the angels said he at any
time, Sit on my right hand, until I make
thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not
all ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation? (Hebrews 1:13-14).
Again, it is important to know the Bible to verify all messages.
GOD PROMPTS OR MOTIVATES US BY HIS LOVE THAT HE HAS PLACED WITHIN
US. How do we distinguish the love of God (AGAPE) from other
promptings or motivations? Paul describes the love of God:
Love endures long and is patient and kind;
love never is envious nor boils over with
jealousy; is not boastful or vainglorious,
does not display itself haughtily. It is not
conceited--arrogant and inflated with pride;
it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act
unbecomingly. Love [God's love in us] does
not insist on its own rights or its own way,
for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy
or fretful or resentful; it takes no account
of the evil done to it--pays no attention to
a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at
injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices
when right and truth prevail. Love bears up
under anything and everything that comes, is
ever ready to believe the best of every
person, its hopes are fadeless under all
circumstances and it endures everything
[without weakening]. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7,
The Amplified Bible).
Remember that God's love is tough, for it seeks the best for the
beloved. (For a more complete treatment of the love of God, see
my shareware book, HOW TO RAISE YOUR SELF-ESTEEM USING PROVEN
BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES).
MOST IMPORTANT, THERE IS THE PROMPTING OR VOICE OF GOD. The Holy
Spirit is the primary agent of leading believers in specific
situations. He leads generally by an inner witness--usually a
gentle, steady impression over a period of time. Of course he
can speak in a personal prophecy within a person. He can speak
in an audible voice. He can speak in visions and dreams. He can
speak through circumstances and "fleeces." We must trust God to
lead us by his Spirit. Experience will help us recognize the
voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will never lead
contrary to the Bible--he is the one who inspired it!
Do not trust circumstances. Satan and his evil followers
can manipulate people and happenings. Suppose there are several
"open doors" (opportunities)? Circumstances are not always
reliable guides.
Fleeces are not always reliable. God allowed them in the
Old Testament, but today he primarily leads us by his Spirit
within. Satan and even people can manipulate our environment.
In the Old Testament, God would sometimes lead Kings by a
message through his prophets. Today, the Holy Spirit leads each
believer directly. However, a personal prophecy can confirm the
will of God in a given situation.
God's speaks through Jesus, the Living Word. Every thing
Jesus is, thinks, speaks and does, reveals the will of God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. (John
1:1).
God, who at sundry times and in divers
manners spake in time past unto the fathers
by the prophets, Hath in these last days
spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of all things, by whom also he
made the worlds; Who being the brightness of
his glory, and the express image of his
person, and upholding all things by the word
of his power, when he had by himself purged
our sins, sat down on the right hand of the
Majesty on high: (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Jesus himself is the clearest communication of the will of God to
mankind. (See my booklet, JESUS THE MASTER TEACHER, for more on
this subject).
God speaks through the Bible, the written word. Research
the Bible to see if the answer is clearly stated in the Bible.
The Bible is the most important written document in human
history:
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my
words shall not pass away. (Mark 13:31).
Then said the LORD unto me...I will hasten my
word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12).
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither
the son of man, that he should repent: hath
he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he
spoken, and shall he not make it good?
(Numbers 23:19).
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and
praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and
for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy
word above all thy name. (Psalm 138:2).
Conclusion
Will it bother our conscience?
Will the contemplated action bring glory to God?
What is our motive? Is it God's love within us?
If inward impression and/or external advice agrees with the
Bible, then the will of God is confirmed. In the final analysis
we must individually ascertain the will of God and we alone stand
responsible for our decisions.
END
