Knowing God’s Will

Andrew Murray writes in “Absolute Surrender” that The Holy Ghost is the director of God’s work upon the earth. If that is true, and I believe it is, then it is incumbent upon all those who serve Christ in this present age to be a close relationship with Him.

Should you and I not be walking close with Christ, the leadership and direction of the Holy Ghost will often be missed; and we will find ourselves on paths of heartache, fear, anxiety, and defeat.

How, then, can we know if we are listening to, and following His direction? It is a simple matter, I believe. We understand that there is an enemy who seeks to misdirect us with good alternatives to God’s best plan for us. We also know that The Holy Ghost is greater and stronger than the enemy. These are important and necessary foundational truths which we must know absolutely. Once these facts are settled, we can begin the process of listening to The Holy Ghost.

First, the believer must confess and repent of known sin. Should one desire to hold on to known sin, there is something wrong in our relationship with Christ. The genuine follower of Christ will sin from time to time, but that sin will cause him heartache. He would come to despise himself for his weakness if the Holy Ghost did not immediately call him to confession and repentance. 1 John 1:9 was given to believers so that they could have confidence that God does not hold their sins against them when they are truly repentant.

Second, the believer must ask to know His will and direction for his life. The typical, nominal follower of Christ develops plans which he hopes and prays God will empower. That is the true cause of much frustration in the lives of those who profess to follow Christ in this age. The Genuine Believer will go with a humble heart before God continually asking to know His plan. Scripture teaches that we “…have not, because we ask not…” I think it never has a more apt application.

Third, the believer must be willing to wait on the Holy Ghost to speak. The old preacher was right, I think, when he proclaimed, “God always answers. He might say, ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ or ‘Wait.’” The followers of Christ gathered in the upper room following His ascension and waited to receive direction from Him. They didn’t understand about the Holy Ghost because they had not yet been personally introduced to Him. But they had the promise of His coming from Christ, and the believer today who has not yet experienced the life of walking daily by faith has that same promise. Learn to wait until you have a sure word from God.

Fourth, the believer must believe what he has acknowledged–that the Holy Ghost is indeed stronger than the enemy and when one is confessed up, genuinely asking, and willing to wait that he will recognize the direction of the Holy Ghost for his life.