How to Discern Between God’s Will and A Thoughtful Suggestion - Acts 21:1-40
Perhaps one of the greatest difficulties we face is deciding what is God’s will and what is a thoughtful suggestion from a friend. Many people are eager to give good advice, but it may not be God’s will for your life. We need spiritual wisdom with all understanding so that we can discern what is best. Paul the apostle gives us a great example in this passage on how to discern between God’s will and helpful suggestions from caring friends. Essentially, Paul knew that sincerity was not enough to help him decide to go to Jerusalem or remain where it was safe. Let us examine several principles that will help us learn all we can from Paul’s example of discerning God’s will for an individual’s decisions.
Illustration:
Indecision
Harvard Professor Harvey Cox said, "Not to decide, is to decide not to."
See: 1 Kings 18:21
Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:
Indecision/3446
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Title: Decisions, Decisions
Sometimes the decision to do nothing is wise. But you can’t make a career of doing nothing. Freddie Fulcrum weighed everything too carefully. He would say, "On the one hand... but then, on the other," and his arguments weighed out so evenly he never did anything. When Freddie died, they carved a big zero on his tombstone. If you decide to fish -- fine. Or, if you decide to cut bait -- fine. But if you decide to do nothing, you’re not going to have fish for dinner.
-- The Wall Street Journal
See: 1 Kings 18:21
Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:
Indecision/3446
1. Paul plainly told his friends, "Why all this weeping?... For I am ready not only to be jailed in Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13). When a person is totally committed to doing the will of God they will gain the peace of God that will direct their heart is what is best. Jesus said, "If anyone chooses to do God’s will they will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." (John 7:17) Only when people are completely yielded to God’s will can they discern all that God wants them to do. Paul wrote, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice then you will be able to know what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:1,2) People who fail to know the will of God have something lacking in their obedience to God and His word. The more we obey the more God will reveal His will to us.
Illustration - A.B. Simpson - the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance said, "We see the Apostle’s leading by the Spirit apparently contradiced by another leading of the Spirit in the advice given to him by the local believers. Yet, in the end, we find Paul’s first leading was sustained, the second appearing to be only a test that brought out the truth of his full fidelity to God." Sometimes the Lord allows us to be tested to sharpen our commitment to Him and clarify our course.
Illustration:
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Title: Indian saying
The Indians have a wonderful saying: "When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries, and you rejoice."
See: Phil 1:21-24; 2 Tim 4:6-8
Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:
Call/Divine, To Decision/1793
Godliness/Profitable/2872
Christlikeness/382
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Title: Poem
James Russell Lowell, placed great value on aiming high. He wrote:
Life is a leaf of paper white
Whereon each one of us may write
His word or two, and then comes night.
Greatly begin! though thou have time
But for a line, be that sublime --
Not failure, but low aim, is crime.
See: Phil 3:13-14
Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:
Call/Divine, To Decision/1793
Diligence/564
Vision/Dominates Life/506
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Title: David Livingston’s Call
After years of service in South Africa, the famous missionary Robert Moffat returned to Scotland to recruit helpers. When he arrived at the church one cold wintry night, he was dismayed that only a small group had come out to hear him. What bothered him even more was that the only people in attendance were ladies. Although he was grateful for their interest, he had hoped to challenge men. He had chosen as his text Proverbs 8:4, "Unto you, O men I call." In his discouragement he almost failed to notice one small boy in the loft pumping the bellows of the organ. Moffat felt frustrated as he gave the message, for he realized that very few women could be expected to undergo the rigorous life in undeveloped jungles. But God works in mysterious ways.
Although no one volunteered that evening, the young fellow assisting the organist was deeply moved by the challenge. As a result, he promised God he would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary. And he remained true to his vow. When he grew up, he went and ministered to the unreached tribes of Africa. His name was David Livingstone! Moffat never ceased to wonder that his appeal which he had intended for men had stirred a young boy, who eventually became a mighty power of God.
I’m told that more than 2 million cities and towns in the world still have no organized evangelical witness! The missionary call has never been more urgent. I pray that as you share this illustration, someone may respond to this great need!
See: Matt 28:19
Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:
Call/Divine, To Decision/1793
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Title: Abiding in your Calling
When I took over as president (of Alaska Airlines), we grossed a hundred million dollars a year. Ten years later we grossed one billion dollars a year. I thought, well, if ten years form now I look back and I’ve done more of the same, what significance would it have? I felt restlessness to do something for Christ. I had to make the commitment to leave what I was doing, and make myself available for Christian volunteer work. Scripture says, "Abide in the calling wherein you are called."’ For most of us the place that you will find your services needed is right where you are... in your home. In your neighborhood. In your church. Where you work. And, there’s a great joy to be had in that service.
-- Bruce Kennedy, former President of Alaska Airlines, on the Hour of Power.
See: Joshua 24:15; Luke 16:13; Eph 4:1; 2 Thess 1:11
Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:
Choice/Wise/676
Service/Rendered to Christ/3895
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Title: Ability and Desire in the Call of God
M. Scott Peck, M.D., the famous author, tells the story of a young enlisted man in Okinawa who served under him as a practicing therapist. Peter was unusually good at his assignment, and Dr. Peck tried to get him to enter graduate school on his return to the United States. "You’re a fine therapist. I could help you get into a good master’s program. Your GI Bill would pay for it."
The young soldier said he wanted to start a business. Dr. Peck admits to being "aghast." As Dr. Peck began reciting the advantages of a career in psychotherapy, he was stopped cold by the young enlisted man: "Look, Scotty, can’t you get it in your head that not everyone is like you?"
Not every one wants to be a psychotherapist. Callings are like that. To identify them, two things are normally required: the God-given ability to do the job, and, equally God-given, enjoyment in doing it because of your desire to do it.
-- Michael Novak, Business As A Calling (Free Press, 1996), p. 19.
See: Psa 37:4-6; Psa 40:8; Prov 13:12; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Pet 4:10
2. Paul did not allow human affection to deter him from God’s will. So many people allow the affection of their spouse or their family members to detour, distract or re-direct their paths. Jesus refused to allow His mother and brothers distract him from doing the Father’s will in Mark 3:31-35 when Jesus said, "Who are my mother and my brothers? Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the God’s will is my brother and sister and mother." Let us realize that the people who we love the most are often the ones who are some of the worst distractors from God’s will for our life. Those are hard words but true for Jesus and true for Paul and true for us as well. I thank God that I did not listen to loved ones who advised me against going to Nigeria as a missionary. After nineteen years of teaching in a seminary in Nigeria and doing church planting I praise God that I listened to the Spirit of God over the weeping of my loved ones. God gave great fruit that will last for eternity as a result of obedience to His voice.
3. Paul was ready to die in order to accomplish God’s will. The greatest test of our true love is what we are ready to die for. First, Paul was ready to live for Christ and the gospel.(Rom. 1:15,16) He was ready to do good works (I Tim 6:18) he was ready to bear Christian testimony (I Pet. 3:15); he was ready to meet the Lord as his coming (matt. 24:44) and was always ready to do Christ’s will (2 Cor. 8:11) When we have clear priorities in our mind about what Christ’s wants us to do we will not struggle with equivocation during times of testing. Paul said, "For to me is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21)
4. Paul was willing to die for the LORD Jesus. People who do not clearly make Jesus the Lord of all facets of their life will have a hard time discerning the will of God. We do not go out and find God’s will like a jewel hidden in a haystack. Instead we have the will of God revealed to us through the mind of Christ, the teachings of the word of God and the leadings of the Holy Spirit. When we wait on the Lord He will direct our paths. In the meantime, trust in Him with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." (Prov. 3:5,6) You can take that promise to the bank.
5. Paul saw through the well intentioned advice as emotional sentiment. Each person is responsible for listening to God’s voice for His will. We cannot rely on another person to determine God’s will for our life. The Lord would not want us to rely solely on our Pastor to determine what God wanted us to do next. He reserves the sole right to speak to us about His will for our future. Do not surrender that right to anyone but the Lord and His word and His Holy Spirit. Too many people have placed their trust in a Pastor or a friend only to be disappointed in the end.
6. Paul found satisfaction only in the the maximum of the will of God. Everything but 100% of the will of God seemed empty to the apostle. Paul was able to say, "I am going to Jerusalem, drawn there irrestibly by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what awaits me, except the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love." (Acts 20:22-24) When we are so wrapped up in doing God’s work we will find nothing else will come close to satisfying us. Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work." (John 4:34) Real satisfaction comes only from hungering and thirsting after righteousness. (Matt 5:8)
7. Paul always sought to have a clear conscience. He wrote, "Herein do I exercise myself to always have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men." Paul made sure that his conscience was spotless so he did not have any lingering doubts, uncertain feelings or regrets. Let us do our duties toward God and not for men knowing that from the Lord comes the reward of our inheritance. It is the Lord Jesus Christ we serve and not men. (Col. 3:23,24)
