Are you about to make the right decision? Who to date? What major? Where to volunteer? Job change? What exercise plan? Who to hang out with? Honest answers to the questions below can increase your ability, stability, responsibility, and accountability to God.
Of the several flights out of Huntsville this morning, my beautiful wife Patti is right now on the flight headed to Atlanta, then on to Virginia where she will lead a team for an accreditation visit. Patti is a busy lady – wife, mother, Christian school administrator , missions pastor, Bible teacher, and on and on – yet she volunteers her time to help improve other Christian schools. Why? Because she understands God’s Will for her life. She answered the five questions I posed (Part One & today’s Part Two) and responded to God’s call upon her life.
#3 WHAT DOES COMMON SENSE SAY ABOUT IT?
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned [EVEN FROM HARD KNOCKS!] and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,” (2 Timothy 3:14 NIV)
God gave you a brain and memory. Have you used the common sense God gave you? If God got you into college, don’t question whether you should get out of bed, go to class, or complete homework. Apply what you have learned already. Learn from your own mistakes. Don’t repeat the same mistakes over and over. A wise farmer cleverly quipped, “You don’t learn anything the second time you are kicked by a mule.”
Before you make that huge decision, take a little time to gather some facts. Evaluate the consequences of your actions. You have the same 24-hour-day limitation as the rest of humanity. Don’t spread yourself so thin that you are accomplishing God’s purpose. Use your brain!
#4 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT IT?
“and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures [THE GUIDE FOR LIFE], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15 NIV)
Read, study, meditate, and memorize God’s Word so that you understand the way God thinks, the way He acts, His principles, and His attitude. Scripture is be obeyed, not just meditated upon, so heed Its instruction. Don’t seek wisdom from others or belabor praying for fresh leading of the Lord concerning action clearly forbidden in God’s Word. I see too many people argue with God’s Word, acting as if they know better than the Designer.
For example, 2 Corinthians 6:14 (HCSB) is a pretty clear principle: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?” If you are a Christ-follower, I don’t care if you really “like” that attractive honey; if that person isn’t a believer, that person isn’t the one for you. Don’t waste your time trying to get God to change His mind or trying to find someone to rubber stamp your sinful decision. Move on; advance God’s will for you.
Align your friendships, your dating-life, your marriage, your money management, your morality, all your life to the standard of truth, the Word of God. Allow your convictions to be constructed and remodeled by the Architect of life’s blueprint, the Bible.
#5 WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT SAY ABOUT IT?
“All Scripture is God-breathed [HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRED!] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)
Paul reminded Timothy of Spirit-breathed Scripture, but don’t overlook the Holy Spirit’s continued work in your life (and every believer!). Anticipate the leading of the Holy Spirit. Allow God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to expose absurd, illogical thoughts in your mind. Remember, God will never lead you to do anything that is contrary to His Word.
Remain sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. “The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them.” (Romans 8:14 NCV) Does the course of action ahead of you conflict with desires the Holy Spirit already placed in your heart? Don’t ignore the Holy Spirit’s task of guiding you into all truth (John 16:13).
Are you ready to advance God’s Will for your life?
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