What steps can you take to seek God's direction before others' opinions? Pause Before People—Paul’s Arabia Detour Galatians 1:17: “I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia, and later I returned to Damascus.” Paul’s first instinct after meeting Jesus was not to canvas opinions in Jerusalem; it was to step away with God. His literal journey offers a reliable pattern for ours. Step One: Separate from Competing Voices •Choose a quiet place or season—reduce media, meetings, and even well-meaning counsel for a set time. •Scriptural echo: Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16—Jesus “withdrew to solitary places and prayed.” •This physical and mental distance signals that God’s voice holds first rights in your life. Step Two: Seek a Direct Word in Scripture •Read slowly and expect God to speak through the text; the Bible is inerrant and sufficient. •Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” •Let verses shape your questions instead of letting questions shape your verses. Step Three: Ask for Wisdom and Wait •James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… and it will be given to him.” •Pray, then hold silence. Waiting is not wasted; it is where clarity forms. •Isaiah 30:21 assures, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Step Four: Test Impressions by the Whole Counsel of God •God never contradicts Himself; compare any sensed leading with clear Scripture. •Acts 17:11 commends believers who examined “the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” •If it aligns with the Word, proceed to the next step; if not, discard it. Step Five: Look for the Peace that Follows Obedience •Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” •“Rule” means to act as umpire; peace calls balls and strikes on decisions. •Lack of peace often signals “not yet” or “not at all.” Step Six: Confirm with God-Honoring Counsel—After You’ve Heard from Him •Proverbs 15:22—“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” •Seek advisers who revere Scripture; ask them to weigh what you believe God has shown you, not to replace it. •This order—God first, people second—guards against peer-driven detours. Step Seven: Obey Promptly and Fully •Galatians 1:18 shows Paul moving ahead only after three years of God-directed preparation. •Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.” •Delayed obedience often becomes disobedience; act while faith is fresh. Living the Pattern Today 1.Schedule solitude (daily moments, occasional retreats). 2.Open your Bible with expectancy. 3.Pray for wisdom; wait quietly. 4.Measure every impression by Scripture. 5.Follow the peace of Christ. 6.Invite wise confirmation, in that order. 7.Step out in obedient faith. Following Paul’s Arabia example keeps God’s direction front and center, letting human input help but never hijack the journey. |
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