Aligning Your Decisions with God’s Will
A Step-by-Step Guide to Prayerful and Discerned Decision-Making
Knowing if your decision aligns with God’s will and brings Him glory requires intentionality, prayer, and discernment. Below is a step-by-step process to help you evaluate your decisions in light of God’s will:
Step 1: Pray for Guidance
Why: Prayer is the first step in seeking God’s will. It invites Him into the decision-making process and opens your heart to His guidance.
How: Ask God to give you wisdom, clarity, and peace about the decision. Pray for humility to accept His will, even if it’s different from your desires.
Example prayer: "Lord, I want to honor You with this decision. Please guide me, give me wisdom, and help me to discern what aligns with Your will."
Step 2: Examine Scripture
Why: God’s Word is the ultimate guide for understanding His will. It reveals His character, principles, and commands.
How: Ask yourself:
Does this decision align with biblical principles? (e.g., honesty, love, humility, justice, purity, etc.)
Does it contradict any clear teachings in Scripture?
Does it reflect God’s priorities, such as loving Him and loving others (Matthew 22:37-39)?
Example: If you’re considering a business opportunity, ask, “Does this decision involve integrity, or would it require me to compromise my values?”
Step 3: Seek Wise Counsel
Why: God often speaks through other believers who are mature in their faith and have spiritual wisdom.
How: Share your situation with trusted mentors, pastors, or spiritually mature friends. Ask for their perspective and prayerful advice.
Proverbs 15:22 says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
Example: If you’re unsure about a relationship decision, talk to someone who has a strong marriage and a deep relationship with God.
Step 4: Evaluate Your Motives
Why: God cares about the heart behind your decision. Your motives should reflect a desire to glorify Him, not just to serve yourself.
How: Ask yourself:
Am I making this decision out of selfish ambition, pride, or fear?
Am I seeking to honor God, serve others, or grow spiritually through this decision?
Example: If you’re considering a career change, ask, “Am I doing this to glorify God and use my gifts, or just for personal gain or status?”
Step 5: Consider the Impact on Others
Why: God’s will often involves loving and serving others. A decision that harms others or leads them away from God is unlikely to align with His will.
How: Ask yourself:
Will this decision help or hurt others?
Will it encourage others to see God’s love and truth through my actions?
Example: If you’re deciding how to handle a conflict, consider whether your approach will promote peace and reconciliation (Matthew 5:9).
Step 6: Look for Confirmation Through Circumstances
Why: God can use circumstances to open or close doors, guiding you toward His will.
How: Pay attention to how events unfold as you pray and seek His guidance. Sometimes, God may make a path clear by providing opportunities or removing obstacles.
Example: If you’re applying for a job and doors keep closing, it may be God redirecting you to something better.
Step 7: Check for Inner Peace
Why: God often gives us peace when we are walking in His will. A lack of peace can be a sign to pause and reevaluate.
How: After praying and seeking guidance, ask yourself:
Do I feel a sense of peace about this decision, or do I feel uneasy?
Is this peace consistent with God’s Word, or am I just convincing myself to feel good about it?
Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts."
Example: If you feel anxious or unsettled about a decision, it may be a sign to wait or seek further clarity.
Step 8: Take Action in Faith
Why: Once you’ve prayed, sought guidance, and evaluated your decision, you must act in faith, trusting God with the outcome.
How: Move forward confidently, knowing that God is sovereign and will guide you, even if you make mistakes. Trust that He can redirect you if needed (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Example: After careful consideration, if you feel led to take a new job, step out in faith and trust God to work through your decision.
Step 9: Reflect on the Results
Why: After making a decision, reflect on how it aligns with God’s will and brings Him glory. This helps you grow in discernment for future decisions.
How: Ask yourself:
Did this decision draw me closer to God?
Did it reflect His love and truth to others?
Did it produce good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
Summary of the Process:
Pray for guidance.
Examine Scripture for principles.
Seek wise counsel.
Evaluate your motives.
Consider the impact on others.
Look for confirmation through circumstances.
Check for inner peace.
Take action in faith.
Reflect on the results.
Key Reminder:
Even if you’re unsure, trust that God is gracious and sovereign. If your heart is genuinely seeking to honor Him, He will guide you—even through mistakes. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
Check out the podcast as the hosts does a deep dive on this topic.