News Flash: God Won’t Tell You Everything

January 26, 2009 in Articles View Comments

What is the process that you use to go about finding the will of God when you have to make important decisions? For some, they talk to friends, read the Bible, pray and ask God to speak to them, put out a fleece and then after all of that if they feel God speaking to them, they make their decision. This is the common practice.

When it comes to making important decisions in life, it is easy to see why people want to do what God wants them to do. There is nothing wrong with that at all. However, I think there is a better approach.

Freedom to Choose
Decisions can be boiled down to two different categories: (1) left or right or (2) right or wrong. The Bible is concerned with right or wrong not left or right. Therefore Scripture contains the moral will of God. Since the moral will of God expresses His character, touches every aspect of life, is fully revealed in the Bible and is able to equip believers for every good work, we can conclude that the Bible is sufficient for all matters of life. This is expressed in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

It is God’s will that we be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4), sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3), submissive (1 Peter 2:13-15), Spirit-filled (Ephesians 5:17-18), and that we suffer (1 Peter 4:19). As long as these aspects are true in your life, you are free to choose whatever in your decisions as long as they do not involve anything directly forbidden in Scripture.

This may sound a bit surprising since we are so accustomed to asking God for both the minor and major details of life (should I date now or later after I graduate, or should I buy a car or a house). When going to a swimming pool it is not uncommon to find a sign of posted regulations for swimming. While these restrictions are posted for our safety, each swimmer rightly assumes that they are free to do anything not posted on that list. They don’t go ask the life guard if they can do back strokes in the pool or if they can dive off the diving board. They are free to do whatever is not forbidden on the list of posted regulations. However, although they have some freedom within the posted restrictions, some things may not be wise to do:  For example, (1) it may not be wise to urinate in the pool, and (2) it may not be wise to drink the water in the pool especially if someone does. So although they have freedom within the restrictions, some non restricted freedoms may not be wise.

The Freezer
Too many Christians freeze when they do not know what God wants them to do. When facing decisions, they want God to tell them everything they need to do. Does God need to tell you what to do? Will God tell you what to do? For right or wrong decisions he has made it very clear in Scripture. For right or left decisions, God is under no obligation to you what to do. Most likely, he won’t. According to King Solomon,

Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2,6 NASB95).

According to Solomon, there are some things you cannot know about what God is doing on the earth. So he says, regardless of whether or not you know, you still have to be bold and act. When God has already told you your duty (Matthew 28:19-20), there is no need for him to tell you your fortune. These words by Tommy Nelson are helpful,

Don’t turn everything into a mystical decision about what you “feel” God wants you to do. If it’s a right or left decision, pray about it and then boldly follow your heart.

God’s moral will is revealed in Scripture, but his sovereign will is not. There are many things you and I will never know. And what Solomon is trying to get us to understand is that God is not obligated to tell us which decision we need to make. And again, most likely, he won’t.

I will close with some more wisdom from Tommy Nelson,

The purpose of the sovereignty of God is not to cause you to lean on a shovel, praying for a hole. You know what I‘m saying? You have to venture out boldly and let the sovereignty of God be your comfort, not your excuse. Try lots of different things. You never know which ones God will choose to bless. Give yourself every chance to succeed. Are you single and want to be married? I’ll tell you what you need to do. Trust the sovereignty of God and brush your teeth. Pray, hang out where the godly people are, and let God be God. Do what you have to do and then trust God’s sovereignty.

So I am interested in hearing your thoughts in the comment section below. Do you think God speaks to us in the decision making process? Is this your approach or do you just make the decision and trust the results to God?