Decision Myths

Here are some mistakes to avoid when seeking the will of God.

First, we must not think that because we want to do something, it can't possibly be God's will. That attitude displays a distorted concept of the character of God. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4). As we delight ourselves in the Lord, our will and God's will begin to coincide.

Second, we must not feel that every decision we make must have a subjective confirmation. I have known people who couldn't act at all because they did not have some kind of liver-shiver about the whole thing.

Third, if something is the will of God, then often a whole series of other things are, too. For example, if God leads you to get married, you do not have to spend hours in prayer agonizing over whether or not it is the will of God that you should support your wife.

Fourth, we must guard against the temptation to take Bible verses out of context to get God's will. Some people seek guidance by randomly turning to a page and pointing to a verse. This violates the basic principle of interpreting the Bible in context, and God gets blamed for all kinds of things which are merely human stupidity.

Fifth, we must not think that we can be sure we are in the will of God if we have no problems or stress. Frequently, just when we take a step of obedience, the bottom falls out of everything. Consider the incident in Mark 4:35-40, as well as the deep distress of the Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His ultimate act of obedience. Peace is not a guarantee of God's will.

—Adapted from "Affirming the Will of God" by Paul Little.