Guidance/Knowing the Will of God

Guidance (Knowing the Will of God)

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard of it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." (Colossians 1:9)

I. God has always promised to lead and guide His people.

Proverbs 4:11, 12

A. In the Old Testament God led His people by the pillar of fire (by night)
and the cloud (by day).

Numbers 9:15-23

B. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to continually dwell with man and be his guide.

John 14:26; 16:13

C. The most common illustration used throughout scripture to depict the certainty
of divine guidance is the Shepherd/sheep relationship.

Psalms 23
Isaiah 40:11
Ezekiel 34:6, 11-15
Matthew 9:36 (Mark 6:34)
John chapter 10
1 Peter 2:25

II. How can we know the will of God? Does He lead us by our feelings?

A. By the written Word.

Psalms 43:3; 119:105, 133
Proverbs 6:20-23
Hebrews 4:12

B. By the counsel and advice of others. (But not always: Nehemiah 6:12; 1 Kings chapter 13)

Deuteronomy 17:8
Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 20:18; 24:6
1 Corinthians 12:8

C. By the Holy Spirit within us.

Psalm 143:10
John 14:26; 16:13
Acts 8:27-29; 11:12; 16:6-7; 20:22, 23
Romans 8:14, 26-27; 9:1

D. Through prayer.

Genesis 24:12-14
Romans 8:26, 27
Colossians 1:9; 4:12
James 1:5-7

E. By our feelings.

Nehemiah 2:12, 16; 7:5 (God puts it in our mind.)
Psalms 37:4
Jeremiah 31:33 (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Isaiah 55:12 (peace, joy)
Acts 20:22 (compelled by the Holy Spirit)
Romans 9:1 (by our conscience)
1 Corinthians 14:33 (no confusion; peace)
2 Corinthians 2:13
Philippians 2:13
James 1:6, 8 (no doubt)
1 John 5:3
James 3:17 (peace)

F. By miraculous means, if necessary.

1. Through dreams and visions.

    Genesis 46:2
    Job 33:15-18
    Matthew 1:20, 24; 2:12, 13, 19
    Acts 9:10-12, etc.

2. With angels or special messengers of God.

Job 33:15-18
Matthew 2:13

3. By a sign or wonder.

Genesis 24:14 ("... thereby shall 1 know ...") NOTE: We are not
to seek a sign (Matthew 12:38-39; 16:1-4; Judges 6:13-17).

G. Through circumstances. (But not always: 2 Corinthians 5:7)

Genesis 4:8
Psalms 37:23

III. What conditions are necessary to enable us to hear His voice?

A. Fear God.

Psalms 25:12-14; 37:3

B. Live holy life.

Romans 12:2

C. Desire truth.

Psalms 25:9
John 7:17

D. Acknowledge Him.

Proverbs 3:5, 6; 16:3 I

V. Walking with God is not a guessing game. He wants us to know His will.

Ephesians 5:17

A. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will
guide thee with Mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which
have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle,
lest they come near unto thee." Psalms 32:8-9

B. He has already revealed to us in His Word what things concern Him as
His will for our lives.

1. Our sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3

2. Thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

3. Submission and obedience to authority. Ephesians 6:6 1 Peter 2:13, 15

4. Faith and love. 1 John 3:23

5. Righteousness. Romans 14:17, 18

6. Walking in the Spirit. 1 Peter 4:2

V. God does not want His people to be in bondage about seeking and
knowing His will in a matter.

A. "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way,
walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the
left." Isaiah 30:21

B. Our steps are ordered by God.

Psalms 37:23
Proverbs 16:9; 20:24
Genesis 24:27

C. "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7

For information on obtaining a printed, bound set of these studies
(8 volumes, 100+ topics, 850+ pages), go to www.dianedew.com/order.htm

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