Discernment | Various Passages

Series: Underrated Spiritual Disciplines

November 29, 2020
Pastor Joshua Lim

One of the inescapable realities of life is making decisions. And everyday, we are confronted with thousands and thousands of decisions to make. These decisions eventually shape the direction of our lives. As such, these decisions are actually invitations to grow in Christ-likeness as we learn to say with Jesus, "Not my will, but Your will be done." The spiritual discipline of discernment is walking in the way of wisdom as we seek to align our will to God’s will.

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Episode Notes

  • The heart of discernment is conforming our will to God's will.
  • God's Will of Decree
  • Isaiah 46:8-10
  • God's Will of Desire
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  • God's Will of Direction?
  • Matthew 6:34
  • God's overarching will for your life is that you love Him and that you love others.
  • “So, here’s the real heart of the matter: Does God have a secret will of direction that He expects us to figure out before we do anything? And the answer is 'no'. Yes, God has a specific plan for our lives. And yes, we can be assured that He works things for our good in Christ Jesus. And yes, looking back we will often be able to trace God’s hand in bringing us to where we are. But while we are free to ask God for wisdom, He does not burden us with the task of divining His will of direction for our lives ahead of time.” (Kevin DeYoung, "Just Do Something")
  • 1. We are to trust in God's will of decree
  • 2. We are to obey God's will of desire
  • 3. We are to not burden ourselves trying to discover God's will of direction
  • Potentially Misleading Method of Discernment: Open Doors
  • Potentially Misleading Method of Discernment: Fleeces
  • Potentially Misleading Method of Discernment: Random Bible Verses
  • Potentially Misleading Method of Discernment: Gut Feelings
  • We can exercise discernment as we walk in the way of wisdom.
  • Proverbs 9:10
  • Way of Wisdom: Know God's Word
  • Psalm 19:7
  • Way of Wisdom: Learn in Community
  • Proverbs 19:20
  • Way of Wisdom: Seek in Prayer
  • James 1:5

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