Discerning God's Will (Dt 29:29)
Intro
'Most ancient texts still extant [nearly 80%] deal with divining the mind of God' (Waltke, Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion, p.7).
A. The secret things belong to the Lord our God
1. Divination: Dt 18:10, see Num 26:55, Acts 1:26, Gal 1:1, cf Jdg 6:36-40
2. Bibliomancy: 'Now Judas went & hanged himself', cf the 'rhema' word
3. Step out in faith: Mt 4:5, cf Mt 14:28
4. The leading of providence: Job 1:12-19
5. Open doors: cf 2Cor 2:12-13
6. Wait on the Lord until the choice is plain: You usually get the worst option
7. 'Pray about it' to get your answer: 100% of the time, God agreed w/them
8. Follow the 'leading of the Spirit': 1Thess 4:3
9. Feel a peace: Jer 17:9, Pr 16:2
10. Hazy divine communications: Moroni 10:3-4(!)
B. The things which are revealed belong to us & to our children forever that we may do them
1. Search the Scriptures to learn what is right: 2Tim 3:16-17, Josh 1:8
2. Walk according to wisdom: Eph 5:15-17
3. Trust in the Lord's guidance: Pr 16:3,9, 3:5, cf Rom 8:28
4. Pray that God would fill us w/the knowledge of his will: Jam 1:5, Col 1:9
5. Be filled by the Spirit & you will be led by the Spirit: Eph 5:17
6. Keep a good conscience: Acts 24:16, 1Tim 1:5
7. Use your gifts: 1Pe 4:10, 1Cor 12:7
8. Get wisdom from wise counselors: Pr 11:14
9. Make use of ordinary means: Pr 21:31
10. When it's a non-moral decision, do what you want: 2Pe 1:3
Conclusion: Mt 6:28-33
Ps 48:14 |
