A Life Guided by God

It is my hearts desire to live my life with the purpose God intended. I pray, like many others, that God would guide and direct my life. But how exactly does He do that? Here are some questions that I have had that God has answered for me over the years about how He guides me.

The Bible says in Psalm 32:8, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." The Lord gives us advise and direction. Knowing that the Lord is our guide leads me to the following questions: How does He speak to us? Who is guided by Him? Where are we guided?

How does He speak to us? II Timothy 3:16,17 says, "Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good." God uses the Bible to speak to us. How often people will pray that God will speak to them and claim that they do not hear from God. And yet they fail to read God's Word, the Bible that is filled with truth and instruction. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to feet and a light unto my path." The Bible is not the only way God speaks to us but it is where He begins and it is where we come back to confirm that what we believe to be God's guidance is truth.

What about our conscience? The Apostle Paul said, "Men and brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." The Bible says we should not violate our conscience. In Romans 14:23 it says, "But if people have doubts about whether they should eat something, they shouldn't eat it. They would be condemned for not acting in faith before God. If you do anything you believe is not right you are sinning." If we cannot do something in good conscience than we should not do it at all. Notice that the scripture does not say that if we believe something is right and our conscience does not bother us then it is right. We must look at all things in light of God's written Word. Just because someone does not feel bad about doing something does not mean they should continue. If the Bible says it is sin, then it is sin, regardless of you "feel".

We have to be discerning as to whether we are hearing the Holy Spirit or Satan. Just as we lead our children by warning them of the dangers in this world, God has forewarned us by warning us of our enemy Satan. First we have to see the difference. We should never be ignorant. John 2:1 says, "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but will speak whatever He hears, and He will declare to you the things that are to come." The Bible also tells us that Satan is the father of lies. John 8:44 says, "...He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." We have to be careful and discerning not to believe lies from Satan. Again, we have to check all our thoughts according to what God says in His word. The Bible will help us to discern. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Who is guided? Psalm 25:9 says, "The meek will he guide in judgement: and the meek will he teach his way." Whenever I feel far from God and feel like I have a lack of direction, I am reminded of James 4:8 says, " Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." He is so faithful to love us, forgive us, guide us in His truth.

Where are we guided? It may seem like a scary thing to ask God to guide you, not knowing where that may take you. Take comfort in knowing that His word says, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) Psalm 43:8 says, "the Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Jesus said that He came to give us life and give it abundantly! One of my favorite songs is by Angela Diprima. She reminds us in her song that God knows us better than we know ourselves and that He has our best in mind!
So do you want to know His will for your life? Paul prayed for the Colossians to know God's will. "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Pray and ask God to show you His will and trust Him to show you. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." What is the desire of your heart? Psalm 37:4,5 says, "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act." Seek the advice of Godly people. "For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety." Always remember to keep scripture as your final guide. "The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have a good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise." (Psalm 111:10) God's word will never lead us astray!