Discerning God's Will: Tangible and Pragmatic Ways
Introduction:
One of the most important aspects of the Christian faith is discerning the will of God. Many people struggle with the concept of discernment because they often do not know how to hear God's voice. It is important for us to know that God speaks to us in different ways, and it is our responsibility to learn how to recognize His voice. This sermon will explore tangible and pragmatic ways that we can discern God's will.
1. Prayer
The first and most important way to discern God's will is through prayer. Prayer is our communication with God, and it is through prayer that we can ask God to reveal His will to us. In the book of James 1:5, it is written that "if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." This means that when we ask God for wisdom and guidance, He will give it to us.
Prayer is one of the most important practices in the life of a believer. It is a direct line of communication with God, through which we can express our thoughts, desires, and concerns, and seek guidance, strength, and wisdom from Him. Prayer is not just a ritual or a religious duty, but a powerful tool that enables us to experience a deeper relationship with God and align our lives with His will.
One of the primary purposes of prayer is to discern God's will. The Bible teaches us that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, and that He desires to lead and guide us in the paths that He has set for us. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
However, discerning God's will can often be a challenging task, especially when we are faced with difficult decisions or uncertain circumstances. In such situations, prayer becomes a critical tool for seeking God's direction and guidance.
So, how can we discern God's will through prayer? The following are some practical and tangible ways that we can apply in our daily lives:
a. Surrender to God's will: The first step in discerning God's will is to surrender our own will to His. We need to acknowledge that God's ways are higher than ours, and that He knows what is best for us. This requires humility and a willingness to submit ourselves to God's sovereignty. We should pray for the grace to accept whatever God's will may be, even if it does not align with our own desires.
b. Seek God's wisdom: The Bible tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault (James 1:5). When we are facing difficult decisions or uncertain circumstances, we should pray for wisdom and discernment. We can ask God to help us see things from His perspective and to reveal His plan to us.
c. Listen for God's voice: Prayer is a two-way conversation, and it is important that we listen for God's voice as well as speak to Him. We can do this by spending time in silence and stillness, meditating on God's Word, and being open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. God may speak to us through His Word, through other people, or through a still, small voice within our hearts.
d. Seek confirmation: Sometimes, God may confirm His will to us through external circumstances or through the counsel of others. We should be open to seeking wise counsel and guidance from other believers, and we should pray for discernment to recognize when God is using external circumstances to guide us.
e. Trust in God's provision: When we are seeking God's will, it is important to trust that He will provide for us and guide us in the right direction. We can pray for faith and trust in God's goodness, knowing that He is always working for our ultimate good.
Prayer is a powerful tool for discerning God's will in our lives. By surrendering to God's will, seeking His wisdom, listening for His voice, seeking confirmation, and trusting in His provision, we can align our lives with His plan and purpose for us. As we cultivate a habit of prayer and seek God's will in all things, we can experience the peace and joy that come from living in His perfect will.
ii. Scripture
The second way to discern God's will is through Scripture. The Bible is the word of God, and it contains everything we need to know about God and His will for our lives. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, it is written that "All Scripture is God-breathed 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." This means that the Bible is the ultimate guide for our lives and it is through studying and meditating on the scriptures that we can discern God's will.
Scripture is the word of God that speaks to us, guides us, and helps us understand His will for our lives. In the context of this sermon on discerning God's will, scripture is a crucial tool in discernment.
First, we can look to scripture to learn about God's character and His desires for us. For example, we know from scripture that God desires for us to love Him and love others (Mark 12:30-31), to seek justice and show mercy (Micah 6:8), and to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). By studying scripture, we can gain a deeper understanding of what God values and how we can align our lives with His will.
Second, we can use scripture as a guide for decision-making. When we face choices or opportunities, we can search the Bible for guidance and wisdom. For example, if we are considering a job opportunity, we can pray for wisdom and guidance, and then look to scripture for principles that can help us make a decision. We might consider verses like Colossians 3:23-24, which encourages us to work with excellence as if we are working for the Lord, or Proverbs 16:3, which reminds us to commit our plans to the Lord and trust that He will guide us.
Third, we can use scripture as a means of prayer and communication with God. When we read the Bible, we are not just studying words on a page, but we are communing with God and allowing His word to speak to us. We can use scripture to guide our prayers, meditate on His promises, and seek His presence. For example, we might use Psalm 119 as a template for our prayers, meditating on the various attributes of God and His word.
In application, we can make scripture a regular part of our discernment process. We can read the Bible daily, meditate on its words, and apply its principles to our lives. We can seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we read and allow Him to speak to us through His word. We can also memorize verses that speak to us and use them as a means of encouragement and guidance in times of decision-making or uncertainty. By making scripture a central part of our discernment process, we can more effectively align our lives with God's will and experience the peace and joy that comes from living in obedience to Him.
iii. Wise Counsel
The third way to discern God's will is through seeking wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14 states that "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." This means that it is important to seek advice from those who are wise and experienced in the ways of God. Seeking wise counsel can help us gain a new perspective on a situation and help us make better decisions that align with God's will.
Wise counsel is an important aspect of discerning God's will in our lives. Seeking advice and guidance from wise and experienced individuals can provide us with valuable insights and perspectives that we may not have considered before.
Proverbs 15:22 says, "Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established." This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking wise counsel in making decisions, as it can help us establish our plans and ensure that they align with God's will.
In the context of this sermon, seeking wise counsel can be a practical way to discern God's will. This can involve talking to pastors, mentors, or other trusted individuals who have a strong relationship with God and can provide us with biblically sound advice.
It's important to note that seeking counsel does not mean blindly following the advice of others. We must use discernment to ensure that the advice we receive aligns with God's word and our personal convictions.
An application of seeking wise counsel in discerning God's will could involve identifying areas of our lives where we are struggling to make decisions. We can pray for guidance and then reach out to trusted individuals for advice and support. We should also be open to listening to their perspectives and feedback, even if it challenges our own ideas.
Additionally, seeking wise counsel can help us avoid the dangers of making decisions in isolation. When we rely solely on our own understanding and perspectives, we can easily become blinded to other possibilities or blind spots in our thinking. Seeking wise counsel allows us to consider a range of viewpoints and make more informed decisions.
Seeking wise counsel is a practical and tangible way to discern God's will in our lives. By seeking the advice and guidance of trusted individuals, we can gain valuable insights and perspectives that can help us make decisions that align with God's plan for our lives.
iv. Circumstances
The fourth way to discern God's will is through circumstances. Sometimes God will use circumstances to reveal His will to us. For example, a job opportunity may come up that seems perfect for us, but circumstances may arise that prevent us from taking the job. In situations like these, it is important to pay attention to the circumstances and seek God's guidance on what to do.
Circumstances can play a significant role in discerning God's will for our lives. While we know that God is sovereign and can work in any situation, there are times when He uses circumstances to guide us in the right direction.
In the Bible, we see numerous examples of how God used circumstances to reveal His will to His people. For example, when Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up in Egypt, it was part of God's plan to bring him there to eventually become a leader and save his family from famine. Similarly, when the apostle Paul was prevented from going to certain places on his missionary journeys, it was God's way of guiding him to where He wanted him to be.
In our own lives, we can look at our circumstances as a way to discern God's will. Perhaps we are faced with a difficult decision, and we're not sure which way to go. We can look at the circumstances surrounding the situation and ask ourselves if they are pointing us in a particular direction. Is a certain option presenting itself more clearly than others? Is there a particular opportunity that seems to be opening up for us? These could be signs that God is using circumstances to guide us in His will.
It's important to remember, however, that circumstances should not be the only factor we consider when discerning God's will. We need to seek wisdom through prayer, scripture, and wise counsel as well. Additionally, we should always be open to the possibility that our own desires and biases can cloud our interpretation of circumstances.
One practical application of discerning God's will through circumstances is to stay attentive and aware of what's happening around us. We can ask God to give us discernment and to help us recognize when He is using circumstances to guide us. Additionally, we can take the time to reflect on past situations where God used circumstances to guide us and learn from those experiences.
In summary, circumstances can be a powerful tool in discerning God's will for our lives, but they should not be relied on exclusively. We must also seek God through prayer, scripture, and wise counsel and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, we can confidently discern and follow God's will for our lives.
v. Inner Peace
The fifth way to discern God's will is through inner peace. Philippians 4:6-7 states, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This means that when we are faced with a decision, if we feel a sense of peace about it, then it is likely that it is in line with God's will.
Inner peace is a sense of tranquility and calmness that comes from knowing that you are in alignment with God's will. It's a sense of contentment that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. In this sermon on discerning God's will, inner peace is an important aspect of seeking guidance from God.
When we are faced with difficult decisions or unsure about a particular path, seeking inner peace can be a powerful tool in discerning God's will. This is because when we are at peace, we are more receptive to God's voice and leading.
One way to cultivate inner peace is through prayer and meditation. By taking time to quiet our minds and hearts, we create space for God to speak to us. We can ask God for clarity and guidance, and trust that He will provide it in His timing.
A perfect example of this is the apostles singing while imprisoned. While the apostles were imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns to God, and their inner peace was evident:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” (Acts 16:25-26)
This passage shows that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, the apostles were able to cultivate inner peace through prayer and worship. They trusted in God's plan for their lives and believed that He was in control, even when they faced challenges and hardships. We too can follow their example and cultivate inner peace through prayer and meditation, trusting that God will guide us on the path He has set for us.
Another way to cultivate inner peace is through surrender. When we surrender our desires and plans to God, we release the burden of trying to control the outcome. This allows us to rest in the knowledge that God's plan is always better than our own.
An application of this in our daily lives could be to set aside time each day for prayer and meditation, even if it's just a few minutes. We can also practice surrendering our plans and desires to God, trusting that He will guide us in the right direction. When faced with difficult decisions, we can seek inner peace and trust that God will provide clarity in His timing.
Ultimately, cultivating inner peace requires trust and faith in God's goodness and sovereignty. When we trust in His plan and seek His will, we can experience a sense of peace that surpasses all understanding.
vi. Prompting of the Holy Spirit
The sixth and final way to discern the will of God is Prompting of the Holy Spirit is also an important aspect of discerning God's will. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, who guides us into all truth and teaches us all things. In John 16:13, Jesus says, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." The Holy Spirit can prompt us through a still small voice, a feeling of peace or discomfort, or through other people.
Application: To discern God's will through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we need to cultivate a sensitive heart and an attentive spirit. We can do this through spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, and being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We should also be willing to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, even if it doesn't make sense to us at the time. We should trust that the Holy Spirit knows what is best for us and will guide us into the path that God has for us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, discerning God's will is not always easy, but it is something that we can all learn to do. By praying, studying the scriptures, seeking wise counsel, paying attention to circumstances, and listening for inner peace and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we can discern God's will for our lives. Let us remember the words of Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Let us trust in God's plans for our lives and seek His will in all that we do. The Cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and His desire for our lives.
It is through the sacrifice of Jesus that we have the opportunity to enter into a relationship with Him and receive the guidance and direction that we need to discern His will. As we embrace the message of the Cross and allow it to shape our hearts and minds, we can trust that God's Spirit will lead us into all truth and guide us into the paths that He has prepared for us. Let us always keep the message of the Cross at the forefront of our minds as we seek to discern God's will for our lives. Amen
