How to Make Godly Decisions Part One by Rick Warren

There are four ways you can reach an unknown destination. 

You can go by trial and error, where you don’t make a change until it’s obvious you’ve gone the wrong way. You can also use a map and see the entire plan ahead of time before you get started. Or you can use a compass to find your destination. 

But the best way to reach your destination is to get a personal guide. And followers of Jesus have the best guide—God! He leads you through decisions, knowing beforehand where you are and where you are going. He walks with you every step of the way.

The Bible says that God gives us the Holy Spirit to be our guide. Jesus tells us in John 16:13, “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (NIV).

So how does the Holy Spirit guide us as we make important decisions? The Bible gives us nine principles for guidance as we seek God’s direction in our lives.

1. Relax.

Many people think God’s will is a tightrope. If you make one bad judgment, you’re done for. But that’s not how God responds to our seeking of his will. God wants us to know his will. He wants to guide us. The Bible says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6 GW).

Ultimately, it’s not our job to learn God’s will; it’s God’s job to reveal it.

2. Be willing to obey in advance.

Ninety percent of the problem in knowing God’s will is not being willing to trust God in advance. We often like to play a game with God, saying, “God, you show your will to me, then I’ll decide if I want to do it.” But God’s will is not for curiosity seekers. He wants us to come to him like David did in Psalm 40:8, “My God, I want to do what you want. Your teachings are in my heart” (NCV). You need to make that choice, too, before you discover God’s will.

3. Make sure you’re in fellowship with God.

Once you do as Paul writes in Romans 12:1 and “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (NIV), then God will show you the specifics. When you’re in harmony with God, it’s much easier for the Holy Spirit to guide you in the Lord’s will. 

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