(NOTE: This is the first in a serious of article on questions to consider when seeking God's will on a specific matter).
By Shane Kastler
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Recently I wrote an article on knowing God's will, in which I stated that one of the best ways to know God's will on specific matters in your life is to read what God's will is in general. This is done, primarily by prayerfully studying the Scriptures where God speaks loud and clear. But what if you are seeking God's will on a specific issue in your life? And it is an issue that the Bible does not specifically address?
For example, you may be seeking God's will regarding your career and want to know what you should do. Maybe you've narrowed it down to two options: mechanic or accountant. How do you know which to choose? While there are several questions to consider when finding God's will, the first one is this: Is it Biblical? And when I say “Is it Biblical?” I don't necessarily mean “Does the Bible address it specifically?” Since the Bible says nothing about being either a mechanic or an accountant, and since it certainly doesn't mention you by name, what do I mean by “Is it Biblical?”
The answer is this: “Does the Bible forbid the action or attitude you are considering, either explicitly or in principle?” In the case of choosing between these two career paths, the answer is that the Bible would forbid neither. However, if you were considering a career as a mafia hit man, or a prostitute, then we could easily answer that this is not Biblical because it would go against the Bible's general teaching on murder and sexual immorality. Furthermore, any career that might force you to be dishonest could be described as “unbiblical” even though the specific career is not mentioned in the Bible.
Of course the question, “Is it Biblical?” applies to much more than just choosing a career. Indeed it applies to every decision you make in life. Make it a point to study and know the Bible, and you will be in a far better position to know and do God's will. When faced with any decision in life, ask yourself, “Is it Biblical?” If the answer is no, then don't do it. If the answer is yes, then continue to prayerfully seek the Lord's will and trust in Him to guide you in the right path. God will make His will known to us in His way and in His time. Seek it. Find it. And live by it.
Comments