How does God Guide Us?
Description: How does God guide us, and how do we know it’s really him? Unlock the mysteries of divine direction. Discover how to hear his guiding voice.
Introduction
Amid all of life’s countless demands and distractions, how do we recognise when God is guiding us? Yet we are called to trust in God, so what does it mean to be guided by him?
This blog explores a few of the many ways God directs our steps and how we might cultivate hearts receptive to his leading.
The foundation: God's Word as our compass
At the heart of divine guidance lies the timeless truth of Scripture. The Bible is not merely a collection of ancient texts. It is a living, breathing testimony of God's faithfulness and love for his people. Its pages resonate with the wisdom and guidance we need to navigate life's complexities. It’s our compass for life.
As Psalm 119.105 reminds us: God’s word is the lamp to lighten our paths. By diligently studying and meditating on God's Word, we gain clarity and direction for our journey of faith. Regular reading reveals more of God, deepens faith, and showcases his transformative power. It’s the doorway to a vibrant and purposeful relationship with him.
The power of prayer: opening our hearts to God
Prayer is our lifeline to the heavenly Father, a sacred communion where we pour out our hearts and listen for him. In the stillness of prayer, we can invite his guidance to shape our decisions. James 1.5 assures us that, if we feel a lack of wisdom, we should ask God and we will receive.
As we cultivate a regular prayer habit, we open ourselves to divine wisdom and discernment. God will speak to our hearts and guide us towards his will.
Divine providence: recognising God's hand in our lives
God's guidance often shines through in unexpected twists of fate, ‘lucky chance’ encounters, coincidences, and seemingly random events that (sometimes insistently) direct us towards his plan. While we may not always understand his ways, we can trust that he is working all things together for our good (Romans 8.28).
Taking a reflective look at the past is an enlightening way to discover God’s unmistakable fingerprints over the unfolded (and unfolding) events in our lives. We can see more clearly how he has revealed his purpose through the shaping of unlikely and unforeseen outcomes, all according to his will.
Closed and opening doors: opportunities and obstacles
God's guidance is not always evident in the moment, yet often reveals itself through the closing and opening of doors. When faced with obstacles or closed doors, we must trust that God is redirecting our paths for a greater purpose. Isaiah 43.19 declares that God will do new things; that we should notice and act upon them.
As we respond, God opens doors of opportunity that lead us closer to the path he wants us to follow.
Faith community
God often guides through other people. Surrounding ourselves with spiritually mature individuals, who are rooted in God's truth, is a channel for God’s guidance and wisdom. Support from the faith community can also provide: fresh perspectives, clarity, invaluable insights, discernment, confidence, and encouragement.
Visions and dreams: divine spiritual messages
In addition to the more conventional means of guidance, God sometimes chooses to communicate through visions and dreams. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of God speaking to his people through such experiences.
In the Old Testament, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, foretelling seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41). Similarly, Daniel received visions that revealed future events and provided insight into God's plans for his people (Daniel 7-12).
Even in the New Testament, visions played a crucial role in shaping the early Christian church. The apostle Peter received a vision of a sheet descending from heaven, containing animals considered unclean under Jewish law, prompting him to proclaim the message of salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
While visions and dreams can be powerful tools of divine communication, they are not the primary means of guidance for most Christians. However, they serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and his willingness to communicate with us in extraordinary ways.
Nonetheless, it is essential to approach dreams and visions with caution and discernment. Not all dreams are from God; some may be influenced by our own desires, fears, or even external factors. In 1 Thessalonians 5.21, the apostle Paul warns us to test everything and hold fast to the good. See the section below for how to test the authenticity of visions and dreams.
Discernment: testing the spirits
Whereas there’s no doubt God will – and does – guide us, we must nevertheless be cautious and ensure we are indeed following God's prompting. 1 John 4.1 warns us not to believe every spirit because many false entities are in the world.
There are several ways to test the authenticity of guidance, we should:
compare it with the teachings of Scripture. God will never contradict his Word, so any message received must align with the biblical principles of God's truth.
seek confirmation and interpretation through prayer and the counsel of spiritually mature believers. God often provides clarity and confirmation through the wisdom of others.
examine the fruit produced (or likely to be produced) by the vision or dream. Does it lead to greater faith, obedience, and righteousness? Does it bear witness to the character of God? If so, it may indeed be a divine message worth heeding.
be aware of emotion. A sign of God's guidance is a sense of righteous confidence and inner peace, not agitation.
Conclusion: Walking in Faith
Navigating God's guidance is not always straightforward, but it’s a journey marked by faith, trust, and obedience. As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, cultivate a life of prayer, and remain attentive to his leading, we can walk confidently in the path he has set before us. He is our faithful guide every step of the way.
