To avoid being led by our own imagination or desires, we need to make an honest assessment of our will verses God’s revealed will, and make any necessary adjustments to surrender to God’s plans.
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. (Psalm 25:4-5 NLT) If we are to become wise and discerning, we need to humbly admit that we need God’s perspective in every area of our lives. We need to seek guidance from God in both the small and large decisions of our lives. We must acknowledge that our own intellectual understanding is not enough.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. (Psalm 25:9 NIV)
When we seek God’s guidance, we need to have faith and believe that God will give it to us. It’s good to find a quiet place where we can listen. We start by surrendering the thoughts that are currently in our head and the answers we think we want to hear. As we make ourselves available and focus our minds on God, we are helped by the Holy Spirit to discern what God is actually saying.
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Sin can block God’s voice. If we’ve been living in self-will and going against God’s principles, we need to repent and ask God for forgiveness. If we desire to hear God's voice, we can’t obey His direction some of the time and avoid or rebel against His principles the rest of the time. Trust and obedience to God requires 100% commitment. We call it surrender. Our behaviour will indicate if we are wholeheartedly surrendered to God.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. (Psalm 66:18 KJV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Create in me a clean heart with the full assurance that when I call on You, You will answer me. Set my heart to follow You in all my ways. AMEN
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