(Section 6 His Will)
VI. THE HOUR OF DECISION
A. INTRODUCTION
Some of the most precious experiences of one's life may be the times when the Lord seems near, and His Spirit has guided one to act in harmony with the Father's plan.
Note carefully that it is faith, the action of the heart in response to the Word, which establishes the requisite relationship to God; the “feeling” of the Spirit’s witness afterward is exceedingly precious, but not an essential prerequisite to that action. --E. Stanley Jones pg 131
B. THE CRUNCH OF DECISION
1. After all preliminary steps have been taken--relevant information gathered, counsel obtained, scriptural principles searched and weighed, and the whole bathed in prayer---at last the crunch time arrives. We must take the plunge. We must prepare heart and mind for action and thoughtfully come to a decision.
While seeking to have “the mind of Christ,” we finally have to make up our own minds on the evidence available and then step out in faith. pg 131
2. Consider these areas, in which it is not prayer for guidance that is required, but simple obedience: pg 132
a. Clear, unequivocal statements of Scriptural principle.
What does the Bible have to say in principle or by example
on this subject?
b. Claims of Duty --- Where does my duty lie?
We have fundamental duties in the areas of family, business, profession, church, and community.
c. Obedience to constituted authority. Is it lawful?
God’s will may conflict with man’s laws. In these cases, “we must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29
3. Be Careful --- In one hour of decision while he was still a young man,
John R. Mott made this observation: "In these days a man cannot afford to make any mistakes. Every decision a man makes shapes his entire life. As I look back on the few years that I have been making decisions, I can see how true this is in may case." pg 133
C. DECISIONS IN "GRAY" AREAS
1. Before taking the final and irrevocable step, the Christian seeking guidance would be wise to pass the prospective decision through a scriptural sieve.
2. Seven tests that are Scriptural to apply in the resolution of doubtful issues:
a. Will it bring glory to God? I Cor. 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
b. Is it beneficial? Permissible? Yes. Beneficial? I Cor 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Will it help me to be more Christlike in character and more effective in my witness and service? pg 133
c. Is it constructive? Permissible? Yes. Constructive?
Is it for the good of others as well as of myself? pg 134
d. Does it have a tendency to enslave one?
I Cor 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Permissible? Yes. Mastered by? Ex: Hobbies, Flea Markets, etc.
Permissible things can so demand our time and attention as to cause us to neglect other duties of greater value and importance.
e. Will it strengthen me against temptation?
It is futile to pray as our Lord taught us: "Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil," if we voluntarily embark on a course that we
know will expose us to strong temptation.
Any associations that tend to make sin less sinful are to be shunned.
f. Is it characteristic of the world or of the Father?
I John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
There are some relationships, activities, and pleasures, while not sins, could be termed “hindrances.”
g. Could others be affected adversely by my decision?
I Cor. 8:13 “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
Rom13:10 “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
D. HOW TO DISCERN GOD'S WILL pg 137
There are different types of decisions with which we are faced in the guidance process,
and each requires individual treatment. They fall into several categories:
1. Personal decisions that affect lifestyle of vocation--marriage, occupation, education, church memberships, and so on.
2. Straightforward decisions, where a single moral principle would be applicable, for
example, something that involves dishonesty. Such decisions call for obedience rather than prayer.
3. Non-moral decisions, decisions which no moral issues are involved.
4. Complex decisions in which more than one issue is involved.
Examples: Divorce, War
5. Indeterminate matters. These may be permissible but not advisable.
a. If you experience serious reservations and uncertainty, that is a call
to review the situation. pg 138
b. If your decision would create problems of conscience for others not so
strong in the faith, give them the benefit of the doubt.
E. SUGGESTIONS
A series of suggestions for decisions that are not resolved by clear statements of Scripture, clear call of duty, or demands of constituted authority that do not
contravene God's commands:
1. Be unconditionally willing to do it, whatever it is. It may be that your will needs
to be redirected. Be willing to be made willing.
2. Be obedient to any light the Lord has already given. If you are not obeying that,
why expect more?
3. Be patient. The road ahead may not be revealed all at once; it seldom is. But
God will show you each step as you need to take it.
4. Remember the intellectual component in this exercise. John Wesley maintained,
"God generally guides me by presenting reasons to my mind for acting in a
certain way"---not feelings to my heart.
5. Gather all the information you can about the options that are open to you.
6. Seek advice from your Christian parents, your pastor, or a trusted Christian
counselor. However, don't allow them to make the decision for you.
It is your life at stake, and you will have to live with the consequences
of that decision.
7. Ensure that the course you propose to pursue is Biblically legitimate. Submit it to
the test of Scripture.
8. List the pros and cons of the course you propose, and as you weigh them, ask the
Holy Spirit to sway your mind in the direction of His will, believing that He does it in keeping with James 1:5.
9. Don't ask for extraordinary guidance, for that is the exception and not the rule,
especially as you mature spiritually. Spectacular signs are given only by the
sovereign choice of God. Faith is content with quiet guidance.
10. Make the best decision you can in the light of the facts, believing God has answered
your prayer for wisdom.
11. Expect the witness of the Spirit in a deepening conviction that this is the will of God for you. Circumstances may confirm your guidance.
12. Be prepared for Satan to challenge your decision. He did that with the Master.
13. Unless action is urgent, allow a little time to elapse, and if the conviction remains
and the peace of God guards your heart, act with confidence.
14. Don't dig up in unbelief what you have sown in faith.
F. WHEN IN DOUBT, WAIT
1. A story is told of Phillips Brooks, the great Boston preacher. A friend who
came to visit him was ushered into the preacher's study. On entering, he
found his host pacing up and down, evidently in great agitation.
"What's the matter, Phillip?" his friend asked.
"Matter enough! I'm in a hurry and God's not!"
2. "If I had only waited!"
3. A safe maxim is "whenever there is doubt, wait."
The temptation is to think that if we make plans well enough, we are masters of our own fate. pg 141
Although God is never in a hurry, He is never late. His timing is perfect, because He has control of all that happens. This is a difficult lesson for us impatient mortals to learn. However, it must be mastered if we are to keep in step with God. pg 141
4. It is when we are under pressure to make a decision that we are most
vulnerable and liable to make a serious mistake.
5. It is the highest wisdom to wait for the gradual unfolding of God's will
in providence.
6. Sometimes when our cherished plans are checkmated, it is not denial,
only delay for some wise purpose. pg 142
7. Often it is only after some “detour” experience that we discern the gracious purpose the Lord had in view all along.
G. PEACE, GUARDIAN OF THE HEART
1. Colossian 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
The usual interpretation of this text is that the believer seeking guidance should regard the presence or absence of the peace of Christ in the heart as and after the decision is made, as either a confirmation of a condemnation of that decision. So, when one is moving in the direction of the will of God, one can expect the Holy Spirit to fill the office of referee or umpire in the situation by imparting Christ’s peace to one’s heart. Where this is absent, the decision apparently was not God’s will or the time was not ripe, and the matter should therefore be reviewed.
It is true that the presence of unrest and disquiet might be traceable to other sources than God’s displeasure. Further, this test is very subjective and, therefore, has its perils and weaknesses. pg 144-145
2. Be careful for nothing Phil 4: 6-7
(v. 6) “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
(v. 7) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Is it not true, that, when in our decisions we move out of the will of God,
the dove of peace departs?
(Section 7 His Will) VII. WALKING IN WISDOM --- Cautions About Guidance
1. Beware of paying more attention to the mechanics of guidance than to the leading of the Guide and of being more concerned about matters such as geographical location than about holy living.
2. Avoid the mistake of equating God’s permission with His direct will, as Balaam did.
3. Don’t allow troubles or hindrances to be a decisive factor.
4. Do not take an unsupported answer to prayer as an expression of God’s will. Sometimes God can teach us important spiritual lessons only by letting us have our own way.
5. Do not consider mere external need to be sufficient guidance. It is a factor, but only one.
After we have done our utmost, there will still be vast unmet needs in the world. We
should test our guidance in other ways as well.
6. Be alert to the possibility of mistaking the voice of God.
7. Never take guidance from one text of Scripture when the whole spirit of Scripture is to
the contrary.
8. Do not rest on the mere letter of the Word, for “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
The Pharisees adhered fanatically to the letter of the Word, but by their actions denied its spirit. It was this attitude that drew strong censure from the Lord.
9. Beware of guidance that presses one to act when not sure.
10. Should you be out of touch with the Lord--as Jonah was--check out carefully any seemingly favorable providential circumstances. Jonah found a ship ready to sail!!
11. Shun professed guidance that is based on superstition or the forbidden arts--astrology, fortune telling, ouija boards, tarot cards, mediums.
12. Don’t resort to “casting lots” as a means of determining the divine will. With the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost to take direction of the affairs of the Church, its use is never mentioned again. Remember that Satan and the Lord both have an even chance!
13. Don’t pursue any path when there is an inward block or restraint of the Holy Spirit. He
guides us by restraint as well as constraint.
14. The Lord does not make us infallible and mistake-proof. Therefore, while not doubting our
leading, we should remain open to further light. Sometimes a mistake casts further light
on our problem.
15. Be suspicious of any purported leading that would help us to sidestep a difficult choice
that has the appearance of the will of God.
