Day 7: More Principles for Seeking God’s Guidance—Counsel, Compulsion, and Contentment/Confirmation

Today we look at three additional means for discerning God’s direction in our lives. Keep in mind that any sense of God’s direction in our lives should be “checked” against whatever He is communicating to us through the Bible and prayer.

Principle #5: Counsel—What Do Wise and Godly Friends Say About This Decision?

The Bible is full of examples of people who benefited from heeding wise counsel. It’s also full of those who suffered by ignoring such counsel.

If a decision has significant implications, we should not limit ourselves to our own judgment. Instead, we should seek the perspective of mature and godly people who have wisdom and experience.

Good counsel is both instructive and corrective. It requires frankness, not flattery.

Although it’s wise to listen to wise counsel, the precepts and principles of Scripture should always have the greatest influence on our decision-making. Even the wisest of people are finite and biased. We should avoid the pitfall of uncritically accepting the advice we receive as if it were a word from the Lord. Ultimately, we alone are responsible for the decisions we make.

Principle #6: Compulsion—What Are My Desires?

In Philippians 2:13, Paul wrote that “it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

One of the ways God works in us is to give us the desire to do the things that are pleasing to Him. For example, He may give us a compelling desire to move in a specific direction or a burden to minister to certain people.

God doesn’t give us desires contrary to the commandments and counsel of His Word. Burdens and desires can have significant input in our decisions only if we evaluate them in the larger context of communication (prayer and Scripture), conscience, common sense, circumstances, and counsel.

Principle #7: Contentment and Confirmation—Do I Have a Sense of Peace and Assurance About This Decision?

Philippians 4:6–7 says peace replaces anxiety when we offer our problems and needs to the Lord. God wants us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15).

If a decision gives us a sense of doubt, distress, or confusion, something is wrong. A good decision may not feel easy, but it should still be accompanied by peace.

For example, a ministry door opened for Paul in Troas, but he had no rest in his spirit about going there. He went to Macedonia instead (2 Corinthians 2:12–13).

As a principle of guidance, peace in our hearts isn’t enough. But if an option passes the test of the other seven principles discussed, and yet it fails to provide peace, the wisest action is to wait on the Lord (if the decision can be deferred). Make room for other input or counsel. The option could be right, but the timing might be wrong.

Day 7 Scripture Readings:

Proverbs 1:14

Proverbs 12:15

Proverbs 15:22

Philippians 2:13

2 Corinthians 2:12–13