Ephesians 5:17 “Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
As Christians, we have a deep desire to understand and follow God’s will. In Ephesians 5:17, we are urged not to act foolishly, but to comprehend what God’s will truly is. This topic deserves our serious attention. Thus, we should concentrate on grasping the fundamental principles that should guide our decision-making processes.
There are certain moments and periods in life where this becomes a challenge. Think about crucial life decisions such as: choosing your career, your life partner, your friends, and so on. You wish that God would speak to you as clearly as possible. You do not want to make mistakes that you know you will regret for the rest of your life.
The first and most important thing we should all do is evaluate whether our heart is in a good place. To be “in a good place” means checking if doing God’s will is something that concerns us, if this is something we truly care about. If this applies to you, then your heart is in the right place.
When you want to honor God in your decision-making, and if God is the most important person in your life and His opinion matters to you and you respect Him, then without any doubt, your heart is in a good place. You have nothing to fear. This is the first step toward understanding God’s will for you.
God has given us free will. We have the right to choose, yet at the same time, God holds us responsible for our decisions. For this reason, God tells us two essential things regarding our hearts: Guard your heart above all else, for everything we do flows from it. Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.
When you have to make an important life decision, who do you turn to? Whose opinion do you value the most? If the answer is God, you have taken the first step towards understanding His will.
Be ye not unwise – Be not fools in the employment of your time, and in your manner of life. Show true wisdom by endeavoring to understand what the will of the Lord is and then doing it. Bible Hub
Reflections: Years ago, Pastor Chuck Swindoll said If you are trying to ascertain God’s will for your life, then follow these four principles:
- Pray to God about your situation. He loves hearing from you. Ask for wisdom and clarity regarding the decision you need to make.
- Read the Bible and listen to God. The Scriptures are the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, who helps us understand and apply its messages.
- Listen to the advice of fellow believers in Jesus. It’s crucial for understanding God’s will for you. Pay attention to those who love Jesus and know you well.
- Be sensitive to what may seem like random circumstances. While not everything is necessarily a message from God, it’s important to remain open to the possibility that these events could be impressions He wants you to consider.
- Focus on what you are passionate about and where your gifts lie. If you are afraid of public speaking, then a career in sales might not suit you. Similarly, if science and math are challenging for you, it’s unlikely that God is leading you toward a career in those fields. Embracing your natural talents may help you discover God’s will for your life.
Prayer: Lord, we’re sorry for the times we’ve chosen less than Your best for us. How wonderful it is to be reawakened and living in the light of Christ. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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