Four Ways God Leads His Children
I believe in your commands;
now teach me good judgment and knowledge. (Psalm 119:66)
I could probably list at least ten ways that God leads His children today, but I will limit myself to the four that I think are the most significant methods of God’s leading.
First and most basic, God leads us through His written Word. As the psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Whenever you see the scriptural phrase “This is the will of God,” you know for sure that’s His will. You also know that to disobey is to break His Word. Other clear indications of His leading are the precepts and principles in the Scripture.
Second, God leads us through the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit. Read the following statement carefully: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13 NASB).
Now that you’ve been born again, Paul says, work out your salvation. In other words, be discerning, think it through, use your head, pay attention, get serious about your Christian walk. For it is God (the Holy Spirit) who is working His will in you. That’s why the apostle can say in the next verse, “Do all things without complaining or arguments” (Philippians 2:14 NASB). As the Spirit of God within you engages in various ways of leading you, working out God’s will in you, you come to accept it, regardless of the challenges the future brings.
The third way God leads us is through the counsel of wise, qualified, trustworthy people. This is an individual who has proven himself or herself wise and trustworthy and, therefore, qualified to counsel on a given matter. Usually such individuals are older and more mature than we are. Furthermore, they have nothing to gain or lose.
Finally, God leads us into His will by giving us an inner assurance of peace. Paul writes to the Colossians, “Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15 NASB). God’s inner assurance of peace will act as an umpire in your heart.
Taken from The Mystery of God’s Will by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1999 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
