How can we discern God's will without resorting to forbidden practices? Saul’s Dangerous Shortcut 1 Samuel 28:9: “But the woman said to him, ‘Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?’” • Saul once removed occult influence, yet fear pressed him into the very sin he had outlawed. • His detour shows how desperation can overshadow obedience when the heart grows distant from God’s voice. God’s Unchanging Prohibition • Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns against every form of divination because it is “detestable to the LORD.” • Isaiah 8:19-20 directs people “to the law and to the testimony” instead of mediums, declaring that any other guidance has “no light of dawn.” • God never redesigns His standards; consulting the dead or any occult avenue remains outside His will. Safe Paths to Knowing God’s Will 1. Scripture • 2 Timothy 3:16-17: the Word equips for “every good work.” • Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” 2. Prayer • James 1:5 promises wisdom to those who ask. • Philippians 4:6-7 links prayer with peace that guards the heart. 3. The Holy Spirit • John 16:13: the Spirit “will guide you into all truth.” • Romans 8:14: “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” 4. Godly Counsel • Proverbs 11:14 affirms safety in “many counselors.” • Acts 1:24 models seeking God’s choice together. 5. Providence and Peace • Proverbs 3:5-6 promises straight paths when trust replaces self-reliance. • Colossians 3:15 urges letting “the peace of Christ rule” in decision-making. Practical Guardrails for Discernment • Filter every impression through clear biblical teaching; God never contradicts Himself. • Refuse fear-driven shortcuts; waiting on God is better than forcing an answer. • Stay repentant; unconfessed sin dulls spiritual hearing. • Remain in community; isolation breeds error. • Observe providential doors, yet test them by Scripture and inner peace. • Keep worship central; a heart fixed on God hears Him more readily than a heart chasing outcomes. Encouragement for the Journey The Lord who forbids occult counsel also opens reliable channels for guidance. As Scripture saturates the mind, prayer steadies the emotions, and the Spirit leads through peace and wise voices, believers discover that God’s will is not a riddle but a relationship walked out in daily trust. |
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