How to Know God's Will for Your LifeSample

Guided by God’s peace

OK. So it’s usually easy to know the difference between right and wrong. But what about when there are two rights? How do we know which one to choose?

Good question. This is a tricky aspect of knowing God’s will. I think it is best addressed by the apostle Paul when he wrote: ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts’ (Colossians 3:15).

Most of us are familiar with the Hebrew word shalom which means ‘peace’. Interestingly, the Greek term is eirene (from which we derive the name ‘Irene.’)

In both cases, the primary meaning is literally ‘absence of conflict.’ So when we have peace with God we are no longer fighting him. As Paul puts it, we are no longer enemies, but now rejoice in the fact that we have been reconciled to God (Romans 5:1-11).

But there is a secondary meaning. The word also means harmony or tranquility, an absence of disturbance or unrest. This is what Jesus meant when he said, ‘I leave my peace with you’ (John 14:27); similarly, when we pray, 'the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:7).

When it comes to knowing God’s will in a particular situation, a sense of peace is a clear indicator. The Bible urges us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). In the first century, this verb commonly applied to the public games and meant to act as a judge, to direct or to arbitrate.

God’s peace in our hearts is like that. When we make the wrong choice between two good or beneficial things, we will usually have peace about one and not the other. It is a bit like two runners finishing very close to each other. The judge makes the ruling. The Holy Spirit does that by giving us peace if we choose the right one and disturbing our peace if we choose the other. In modern sports, it’s a bit like blowing the whistle to indicate a penalty.

Paul rightly calls this a peace that surpasses our understanding because it doesn’t always seem to be the right choice from a human perspective. It may even seem foolish or impossible in human terms.

But God’s peace is so deep, reassuring and encouraging that we just know we can go ahead.

As we have said several times already, God’s will never contravenes God's Word. If something is wrong scripturally, we dare not do it. But when it comes to choosing between two goods, it is safe to trust in God’s profound and purposeful peace.

What next?

·Are you faced with a dilemma right now between two apparent goods? Follow the Bible's advice in Philippians 4:6 and then believe the promise of verse seven.

·Memorise Colossian 3:15a (with the reference).