Christians and Making Decisions

Posted by Christine Pack

I have a hunch that the sticking point for many Christians in their day-to-day lives is that they think if they somehow get a feeling or mysterious "inner nudge" that God "confirms" a decision they are trying to make, then that decision will result in a situation that is pain-free, hassle-free, problem-free and conflict-free. But do we recognize that there are no such guarantees from God in the Bible? Life is fraught with difficulties and struggles which come along even after we've made calm, measured, thoughtful decisions which accord with God's will (meaning, they aren't sinful in nature).

Attached are a series of resources that will, I hope, help Christians confused about how it is, biblically, that we are to make decisions. I pray that anyone reading this short article will be blessed by the attached resources, and will be freed from the bondage of thinking that they are somehow "out of God's will" if they have struggles and difficulty and pain and heartbreak in their lives. As long as we as Christians are not sinning in our decisions, we have freedom. Period! And oftentimes, our sovereign, loving God will use the difficulties we encounter in life as a sanctifying agent in our lives. Amen? So pray for wisdom (because God will grant it to those who pray for it--James 1:5), be thoughtful, be calm, don't sin, and go forward in peace with your decisions.

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will

Just Do Something (audio message, Kevin DeYoung)

How Do We Discern God's Will For Our Lives?

Finding God's Will

 Critical Issues Commentary - Articles 

God's Will and Christian Liberty

God's Revealed Will

 Critical Issues Commentary - Radio 

Personal Words From God (CIC-Radio, Bob DeWaay)

God's Will and Christian Liberty (CIC-Radio, Bob DeWaay)

photo credit: Lori Greig via photopin cc

Finding God's Will?

Posted by Christine Pack

Have you ever heard or even believed yourself that there was a "perfect will for your life" that you somehow had to find? I believed this, as a new Christian. I was surrounded by dear and well-meaning Christians who talked a lot about "finding God's perfect will for your life," and I became very confused about what this meant. It was so distressing to me, thinking that there might be this mysterious "perfect will" somewhere "out there" that I was supposed to discern or uncover or dig for or find, like searching for buried treasure. And that perhaps I had somehow missed it, stumbled over it, gotten away from it, etc.

It was therefore a tremendous blessing for me, soon after I had become ensnared by this thinking, to find Pastor Bob DeWaay's very excellent and biblical  teaching on the topic of God's will for our lives. Bob's teaching helped me so much, and really steadied my thinking in this area. I therefore strongly encourage anyone who has been confused by this errant teaching to either read Bob's articles on the topic of God's will or listen to his Critical Issues Commentary radio programs on the same topic. Both are linked below.

Also, for those who are concerned about Bob DeWaay's health, which has been poor in the last few months, here is an update from his daughter.  Prayers for Bob and his health would be greatly appreciated.

photo credit: somebaudy via photopin cc

 Articles 

God's Will and Christian Liberty

God's Revealed Will

 Radio 

God's Will Radio Series

 Additional Resources 

Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.  - by Kevin DeYoung

Just Do Something - by Kevin DeYoung (audio)

Unbiblical Teachings on Prayer and Experiencing God

Is That You Lord?: Hearing the Voice of the Lord, a Biblical Perspective (Pastor Gary Gilley)

Christian Dream Interpretation?