Finding God’s Will for ‘Not as Prophetic’ Christians.

A few years ago, I was convinced that I would find my wife via a supernatural vision or dream that God would give me.

I really wanted to be sure of any important decision I made and I thought the best way was to have a ‘supernatural’ experience.

I’m engaged now. I’ve still had no vision or dream concerning my fiancee.

We all have to make important decisions. From choosing which university to study at to which person to marry (or if we should marry). Depending on your Christian circle, you can approach this differently.

Some will say pray about it and if you have a ‘peace’ about it, then that’s okay. Some will say you should use signs, like Gideon did. That if you speak to God and give him the sign that you want him to use, if you go out and see a number 9 on a bus whilst on your travels, then that means you should relocate to China. Some will say fast and pray about it and God will reveal things via a vision or a dream. Some will say just go and study your Bible and God will speak through the scriptures. Some will say, the will of God is “that you be saved and worship Him” and that’s all that matters.

There are some truths in the above. There are also some unhelpful things. If you plan on reading on, I plan to explore all of that and journey with you practically and theologically, to show that it is possible to discern God’s will and it doesn’t involve being weird or copping out.

Common pitfalls in discerning God’s will

Let’s look at some common ways people try to discern God’s will and their pitfalls, IF care is not taken.

1) Supernatural Experiences

When it comes to visions, dreams, signs etc., the extreme charismatic christian will point towards Jeremiah, Paul, Moses, etc., as proof that it is a standard and common practice for every believer to hear from God via these supernatural means.

The problem with this, is that it takes special scenarios in scriptures and makes them the norm, without taking into account God’s other interactions with man. For every Jeremiah, there is also a Nehemiah.

The book of Nehemiah shows us that Nehemiah was used by God at the time of the prophets, but scripture does not not note him down as one who had visions or dreams. On the contrary, he ‘found out God’s will’ in such a normal way. His brother and some guys were visiting from Jerusalem and so Nehemiah asked them about the Jews living there. They told him that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down. That hurt him and he started to weep (Nehemiah 1:4). He prayed about it, but was so depressed that his boss asked him what was wrong when he saw him (Nehemiah 2:2). When Nehemiah told him, his boss asked him how he could help (Nehemiah 2:4). Nehemiah told him and after that, he was sent to Jerusalem to help (Nehemiah 2:6).

What’s so beautiful about this scenario was that he was so sure that it was God who had spoke to him and directed him (Nehemiah 2:12). He said that “God had put it into his heart”. He had no doubt that it was God’s will and direction, yet there was nothing extremely ‘supernatural’ about the interaction! What do we define as supernatural?

It’s the same thing when it comes to picking a spouse. I commonly hear people use the stories of Adam and Isaac to say that it is clear that God has a special person just for you, whom He will confirm to you supernaturally. I do believe it is important to pray concerning an important decision like who you would marry, but theology like this ignores other scriptures like Ezekiel 44:22.

“They shall not marry a widow or a divorced woman, but only virgins of the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest. — Ezekiel 44:22 ESV

In these scriptures, God gives His priests wisdom on picking a spouse, but doesn’t tell them that He’ll prophetically point out who ‘the one’ is. Rather, He gives them principles to enable them to choose.

2) Peace

When people focus on ‘peace’ being the decisive factor in decisions, it not only ignores the scriptures, it ignores how humans work.

Mark 9:23–25 is a perfect example of this. Here is a man who desired Jesus to heal his child. Jesus told the man that “all things are possible if you believe”. The man responds by saying “I believe, but please help my unbelief”.

Humans are peculiar creatures. We experience mixed emotions. We can believe and still have some unbelief that we need Christ to help us with. We can feel confident that we desire to do something and still be incredibly scared. Jesus shows us this first hand in a few conversations He had with the Father.

“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour ‘? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” — John 12:27 NASB

The scripture above shows us that Jesus was absolutely clear about His purpose yet experienced emotional turmoil. He experienced this again a few chapters later in the famous Garden of Gethsemane moment. Queen Esther also experienced internal turmoil in regards to bringing deliverance to the Jews and had to be convinced by her uncle. Despite his wise words, she still thought she could die (Esther 4:16). This shows us that peace is not a good enough of an indicator for discerning God’s will.

The concept of ‘peace’ also ignores the fact, that we may be experiencing that ‘peace’ because it’s an idol to us. We may be experiencing ‘peace’ because that’s what we wanted to do in the first place. In fact, in Ezekiel 14:4, God makes it clear that if we pray to Him with ‘idols’ in our heart, we are likely to hear from Him in accordance to that.

3) “Just Bible Study”

The just ‘bible study’ method may be given with good intentions, but it’s extremely unhelpful. This normally goes alongside the “all you need to know is that being saved and worshiping God is His will” rhetoric. This tends to come from extreme calvinists and/or cessationists.

There is good truth in the above, but it’s also not really helpful practically. Think about it. I don’t know which university to go to and you ask me to just go and Bible study. Understanding the atonement of Christ is so important, but it doesn’t necessarily help me choose between Cambridge and Oxford (I can dream). Plus, I’m already saved and live to worship Him. So there has to be something more which helps me practically.

Practical and doctrinal steps to find God’s will

There have been really helpful books written on this topic, alongside some unhelpful ones. I don’t plan to speak on all of them here. However, my prayer is that the points below help to summarise some of the helpful content out there whilst also highlighting what has worked for me. So here we go.

1) God’s sovereignty and divine providence

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” — Psalm 37:23 NLT

As believers, one of the doctrines we must understand and appreciate is concerning God’s sovereignty.

This is an important Christian belief, that God is in control of all things and nothing happens without His will or permission. Infact, even our salvation is started and completed by Him (Philippians 1:6).

This is important especially in regards to how in modern day Christianity, we have flipped things. I’ve heard people speak about fasting and praying to ‘find their purpose’ and then God revealing it in a dream. I’m not here to say that God didn’t speak to such people. What I am here to say, is that we do not see people doing that in the Bible (including those who did great things in God’s name), and so I would discourage that from being anyone’s template. What we see rather, is God in His sovereignty stepping in to direct people to walk and nudge people unto the path He had set for them. The Apostles did not seek out Jesus. Jesus sought them out and called them (Matthew 4:19). Gideon didn’t seek his ‘purpose’. God called and sent him, whilst he was busy with other things (Judges 6:14). David was tending sheep when he was called (1 Samuel 16:11). Elisha was taking care of his family’s oxen when Elijah came to call him (1 Kings 19:19).

The list goes on and on, but the point is that these men were not obsessed with ‘finding God’s will’ so that they could walk in purpose. Rather, God in His sovereignty, put things into place so that they had a clear picture of what he desired them to do. Sometimes He did this by angels, His own voice, sending other people, etc. HE CHOSE how He would do it and He made it clear. Why?

Because God is good and He is more concerned about you walking in accordance to His will and making the right decisions, more than you ever will be.

2) There are less options on the path of obedience

“In the context of active obedience to God’s command, God is directing men’s steps.” — David Platt

As believers, we must be careful of promoting any ideology of finding God’s will outside of active obedience to Him.

God’s desire for us is to not only seek His face when we need Him, but to live in constant communion with Him. Not only does this glorify Him, but it actually narrows down our options. Whilst we are waiting on God for directions on how to obey Him, He has already spoken to us about things we can do right now. As we do that, He comes along and gives further specific directions.

To help us understand this practically, I’ll use an example.

A lot of believers feel stuck when it comes to “their purpose”. They want to ensure they’re in the career meant for them and doing a job that’s ‘in the will of God’. So some take extended time to pray on it, before choosing a job. This is not necessarily wrong and there is wisdom in this. However, let’s also look at a peculiar pattern in the scriptures.

Do you realise that practically every single person called by God in the scriptures, was actually busy doing some sort of work when God called them? They were not busy praying for God’s will, but they were working and serving in some capacity. Moses was tending sheep and honouring his father in law (Exodus 3:1). David was doing the same for his father (1 Samuel 16:11). The Apostles were fishing (Luke 5:10). Elisha was taking care of his father’s oxen (1 Kings 19:19). Gideon was threshing out wheat on behalf of his father (Judges 6:11). They were all being obedient and integral to the principles of God in some capacity. As they did that, God in His divine providence redirected them to do specific things in accordance to His will for their lives and the lives of the people who needed them.

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” — Ephesians 4:28 ESV

Here is an example of obedience to what has already been said. Paul never encouraged anyone to sit still and not work. Rather, he encouraged people to use their testimony as fuel to serve others in some capacity. Obey that! As you obey that, you will find that God in his providence begins to open your eyes to things, connects you the right people, place burdens upon your heart like Nehemiah, etc.

3) Proving the will of God

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:2 ESV

What if whilst you were obsessing over obtaining ‘prophetic revelation’, you missed that God was actually trying to teach you wisdom. He’s trying to train your way of thinking to align with his way of thinking.

Most of us would prefer easy cut throat answers. 100% clear answers on which company to apply for. Which person to marry. Which Church to attend. However God’s desire is to train our minds, so that we would be able to discern His will. The word ‘discern’ in the dictionary means to ‘have or show good judgement’. God desires us to continuously walk with Him, so that as we spend time with Him, we begin to think more like Him and make decisions that He would be pleased with. Decisions that glorify Him.

God wants us to be wise. He desire us to pray for wisdom and He promises that if we ask in humility He will give it to us (James 1:5). However, there is another way through which he ‘baptises us with wisdom’ and it’s not just through prayer.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.” — Proverbs 1:20,23 ESV

This scripture shows us that rebuke and correction is an avenue through which God imparts wisdom unto us to make decisions. We need to be willing and open to go on the journey of growing in wisdom through His principles as given in the scriptures and Godly wisdom from companions, etc.

As I walk with God, He trains my mind to be able to make decisions. As I stay disciplined in the basics of christian discipline, my mind evolves to a place where I am able to say “I believe God would have me do this.”

4) The safety of the Church

“Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” — Proverbs 11:14 NLT

The Christian is not called to be a lone wolf. Not in life, nor in making decisions. The Church (people of God) is meant to be there to help, when/if you need it. They also can provide thoughts of wisdom and insight that we may have not seen.

The story of Moses and Jethro is a classic but important tale (Exodus 18). Moses had been leading the people of God in such a way, that they all came to him for all important decisions. His father-in-law comes and within a few minutes of hearing this, advises him to delegate it because he discerns that he’ll wear himself thin if he continues (v 17). Moses listens to Jethro, decides that the advice is good and immediately implements it (v24).

We see this also with the story of Esther. Esther was chosen to be Queen at a time when a wicked man called Haman wanted to kill the Jews (Esther 3:6). He manipulated King Ahasuerus of Persia to order this. Mordecai found out and told Esther that she should go and speak to her husband the King, to get this reverted. Though she was afraid, he discerned and told her that it was likely that God had actually put her in this position for “such a time as this “ even though she didn’t realize it (Esther 4:14).

We see this principle also show itself in the New Testament Church. Men of God did not tend to go up by themselves and make decisions, but submitted it to the safety of wise counsel. After Apostle Paul had his famous supernatural experience with God, he still went to spend time with Apostles Peter and James to ensure he was walking as he should (Galatians 1:18). It was also the Church that collectively made the decision (as directed by the Spirit of God) to send Paul and Barnabas to minister to the gentiles (Acts 13:2).

We are all individuals. However it does not mean we have to be individualistic and put the sole burden of making decisions upon our shoulders. Though we must be the ones to make the final decisions, wisdom from friends and mentors can be quite essential in ‘proving the will of God’.

Conclusion

“A man has no other way of knowing God’s will but by consulting his own reason and his friends, and by observing the order of God’s providence” — John Wesley

Though I do believe that there are more ways than John Wesley has said here, I do think his quote shows something interesting.

John Wesley is one of the most significant men of God to walk on this earth. His theology and way of life helped create a denomination and influenced millions (literally). Yet when it came to making a life changing important decision, this is what he said. I don’t think anyone in the right minds who has studied Church history, would say that John Wesley did not walk with God or was misaligned to His will.

Be open to however God may want to speak and direct your life. You may be more like Jeremiah. You may be more like Nehemiah. Appreciate however God has made you (and others) and trust that He will direct your path.

My prayer is that what I have said helps you to make decisions without being paralyzed by fear. Take a step of faith. Acknowledge God in all of your ways, and if you miss a step, He will redirect you because He loves you.

Maranatha.