D. Scott Meadows

Pastor John Newton takes up an immensely practical question in this 28th letter of 41 on religious subjects: discerning God’s will for decision-making. For easier reading, this longer letter is shortened and paraphrased considerably with corresponding paragraphs below.

“How to Have God’s Guidance in Everyday Life”

1. Knowing our weakness, fallibility, and vulnerability, we rejoice in the Lord’s promise to guide us. This He does by His written Word and Holy Spirit. However, people who say they want to follow God’s will sometimes choose very badly in practice. Surely they have not rightly understood and applied Scripture, since its rule is infallible and His promise is sure. They also have not been genuinely led by the Spirit, though they may feel otherwise. I would now offer helpful counsel in the matter. How can we really have God’s guidance in everyday life?

2. A basic error is to expect direction from the Lord in various wrong ways. I would elaborate on some common misconceptions.

3. Sometimes people have made the mistake of choosing among alternatives by prayerfully casting lots. Yes, the outcome is governed by God (Prov 16.33), and there are Old Testament examples of this method (distributing the land of Canaan, discovering Achan, etc.). But neither these, nor even the New Testament case of Matthias (Acts 1.26), justify us in using lots for discerning God’s will. He rarely directed the Old Testament saints to use lots. The New Testament example is an exceptional case. They did not yet have all of Scripture nor the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as we do. We are called to approach boldly the throne of grace (Heb 4.16) and, praying, to cast all our care upon Him (1 Pet 5.7). To cast lots without His express command seems to be tempting the Lord more than honoring Him. The sometimes disastrous results of this method today illustrate how little it is to be trusted.

4. Some think to find God’s will by opening a Bible randomly and taking the first verse they see as having some special use for their situation, no matter what it says. Surely it is embarrassing for them to consider that the heathen did the same thing with other books. Their books would be as good as the Bible for this ill-conceived purpose if we insist on abusing it this way! We must consider a verse’s context, and the general tenor of Scripture on the subject, and the details of our own circumstances, to apply it wisely. “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you” (2 Sam 7.3) was the word of God to David in a specific situation, and is not for everyone at all times. “Be it done for you as you desire” (Matt 15.28), Jesus said to one woman, but this is not a blanket assurance of whatever we want just because we might have come across this verse while Bible-dipping. Many have fallen into such a foolish practice.

5. Strong subjective impressions, whether hopeful or fearful, of certain biblical texts, have been wrongly taken as infallible indications of God’s mind about particular situations. Powerful experiences of meditation on Scripture are wonderful, but “holy hunches,” however powerful they seem to be, are not to be counted reliable guides for decision-making.

6. Some attempt to use prayer as a means of guidance. When they feel they can pray freely about acting in a certain way, this is taken to be God’s leading. That should not be trusted without corroborating evidence. We too readily interpret our own wishes as God’s.

7. Another mistake is to put too much stock in dreams. I do not deny that they have sometimes been helpful to some, but to use them as a divine revelation is both superstitious and dangerous.

8. We should look for divine guidance in more ordinary ways than these. Otherwise, like others, we may actually be sinning when we feel sure we are doing right, or be certain of things which turn out to be false, and then exposed to grievous temptations to doubt Christianity altogether.

9. So how can we expect the Lord’s guidance? I answer briefly: He directs His people by giving them, in answer to prayer, the light of His Holy Spirit, which enables them to understand and to love the Holy Scriptures. The Bible equips us with sound principles to mold our judgments and feelings which will prompt the best conduct. God is bringing His people into an ever-greater submission to Him and an ever-greater awareness of our various responsibilities and temptations. As the Word of God dwells richly in us, it keeps us from error, shows us where to go, and strengthens and comforts us in His service. With spiritual maturity comes increased ability to judge things scripturally, like a musician who has an ear for discordant notes. Such ability is seldom mistaken, because the one who has it is ruled by Christ’s love and concerned for God’s glory above all.

10. Providence is ordered for their salvation, preserving them from many falls. Knowing this makes them feel confident in God’s wisdom and love, and willing to go wherever He leads. They are cautious and prayerful, resisting the temptation to self-will, and depending on the Lord—at least they want to be. And in this grace they live safely. Signed, JN.
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Beware of superstitious notions, lacking scriptural support. The core statement of this letter is italicized in paragraph nine and worthy of extended reflection and application. Some believers may be more inclined to prayer than Bible intake; let them open the Book of books. Others may studiously read without much conscious dependence on the Holy Spirit; let them give a greater proportion of time seeking guidance through prayer. Ω