How does God’s guidance work spiritually?
We’ve discussed God’s guidance in the last two posts. Here are the links if you’d like to catch up.
God is our Guide- What path do I choose?
Moses Shared Examples of God’s Guidance
The Bible is filled with glimpses of God giving commands, instructions, and directions, and all are instances of His guidance. God’s offer of guidance flows from His love because God desires our success. However, keep in mind that He defines what that success looks like based on His specific plan for each of us. Now, try and consider the sheer amount of data omniscient God possesses and the infinite events omnipotent God orchestrates to enable those plans. Who better to show us the path and guide our steps?
How does God’s guidance work? Is there a formula to follow? Did Israel have a distinct advantage with the pillar of cloud to guide by day and the pillar of fire to show the way at night? Can I expect that type of visual direction, or should I be on the lookout for burning bushes? Turns out that you and I have the advantage over Israel when it comes to following God as our Guide. For starters, we have the completed Scripture, and the Holy Spirit indwells believers. Let’s first discover how God’s guidance works spiritually, and in our next session we will focus on the physical realm.
Admit that I need guidance.
God does not force Himself into our decision-making moments or grab the wheel no matter what the country song teaches. He waits for us to realize that life is complex and choices are difficult. Any option we choose usually triggers additional choices with consequences sprouting up all over the place. After a few stressful episodes of wishing for a do-over we may attempt to avoid choices altogether. But, accepting the default also represents a choice.
Some realize early that following God’s guidance brings blessings. Others struggle to trust Him for even the simplest decisions. The prophet Jeremiah, called to represent God before an unbelieving nation, labored for forty-plus years with little to show for his efforts. Yet, Jeremiah stayed true to God’s call and gave testimony that we all need guidance from outside ourselves.
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23 NASB
Solomon wrote with certainty that God desires to help us find our way, if we’re willing to accept His input.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7 NASB
Asaph pictured God taking us by the hand to lead us. I often squirm and fight to escape that loving grip, and I have wiggled free, only to crash and burn with my really bad choices.
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Psalms 73:23-24 NASB
Become an intentional student of God’s Word.
How do we use the Bible to seek God’s guidance? Do we randomly open the pages and jab our finger down on a verse then accept that as the direction? Author and Pastor Charles Swindoll shared this account of someone who used a similar method with unexpected results:
…there’s the example of Christians who use the open window method in seeking God’s will. You put your Bible by a window and the pages blow and you put your finger on a verse. One man did that and pointed to the verse, “Judas went out and hanged himself.” Not a very good life verse, and he did it again. This time he put his finger on the verse that said. “Go, and do thou likewise.” The third verse he found said, “Whatsoever thou doest, do quickly.[1]”
Someone told me in high school, “You can use the Bible to approve just about any life choice you want to make!” I did not then and do not now agree. God will not lead us to make a choice or take an action that contradicts His Word. If I feel led in a direction that deviates from Scripture, I can mark it down that the urging did not originate with God.
What’s in the Bible?
To evaluate choices in light of Scripture, we must know what is in the Bible. Rather than attempt to use the Bible as a magic eight ball we need to become serious students of the Word. Devour the Bible on a regular basis. Take advantage of the teaching from sound Bible scholars. Capture notes as you learn. Write favorite verses on cards and memorize them.
Until you experience this personally you may not believe it. When a believer immerses himself regularly in God’s Word, quite often the guidance needed for a pressing issue will be in that day’s reading. Amazing! Something only God can do.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 NASB
The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalms 119:130 NASB
Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalms 119:133 NASB
Listen for the Spirit’s quiet voice.
Elijah found a safe hideout in his man-cave where he cowered in self-pity and sheer terror. He worried that nasty Queen Jezebel would make good on her promise to exterminate him (for the full story read 1 Kings 19). Of course, God knew Elijah’s hiding place, because God has never lost a game of hide-and-seek no matter how well a human conceals himself.
God had more for the prophet to do, and He commanded Elijah to exit the cave for a special display that included a great wind followed by an earthquake, and finally, a fire. Impressive elements though Scripture records, “the LORD was not in the wind/earthquake/fire.” Then came the sound of a gentle blowing, and God softly spoke His guidance to Elijah. God is so gentle and patient with us, isn’t He?
God’s voice to you and me will (likely) not be audible. We will experience the Spirit speaking through impressions we receive in our minds and hearts. Think of an idea that pops up such as, “Smile, and speak kindly to that frowning man stocking the shelf!” Or the face of a fellow believer flashes into our minds, and we can’t seem to erase the image. Perhaps the Spirit is guiding us to stop and pray for that brother. You and I may not know what the other person is experiencing at the moment, but God certainly knows.
Don’t ignore the Spirit.
God’s Spirit is easily ignored, and Paul warns us in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Do not quench the Spirit!” In this context that word quench means to dampen, to thwart, to hinder, or to stifle. The Spirit longs to reach us, and not about our expiring car warranties, but with the guidance we desperately seek. With the noisy environments we inhabit, silence and solitude can be fleeting, and the Spirit’s whisper to our innards may be ignored.
We must hone our listening skills. That means purposefully scheduling quiet time with God and removing any distractions which may hinder our reception. Pay close attention, and then act on those impressions. See where the Spirit takes you. Walk with Him daily. As our experience making choices with the Spirit’s input grows, we will become better at discerning His voice.
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14 NASB
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 NASB
Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalms 143:10 NASB
Exercise my prayer muscles.
Imagine having a friend who has complete knowledge of all events past, present, and future. And He understands the intricate workings of human relations. Did I mention that He’s shared a personal invitation for us to consult Him any time for any reason? He will never be too busy to take our call, because, unlike those companies that keep valuable customers drumming their fingers on hold, our calls really are important to Him.
Building a relationship with such a Person should be high on everyone’s priority list. Get to know God. Find out what’s important to Him. Hold conversations with Him, and sometimes, don’t ask Him for anything. Just tell Him how great it is to enjoy His presence. Or thank Him for the sunset.
Here are God’s promises to you and me:
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NASB
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 NASB
Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. Psalms 25:12 NASB
Jeremiah, mentioned earlier, recorded these words, a direct quote from God.
‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NASB
‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NASB
How often do I pray?
Paul jotted down an impressive list of guidelines for believers in the closing verses of 1 Thessalonians 5 (see verse 12 to the end of the chapter). In the middle of that section, we find three words:
pray without ceasing; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB
Persist in prayer, whether planned or in the moment. Use the traffic delay to open up and speak with God. He’s listening. He knows every challenge in our now as well as what waits over the horizon. We would be foolish to exclude Him in our planning.
Accept God’s parental guidance
Responsible parents invest in their children by guiding, teaching, training, and correcting. Their intention is to mold those impressionable tykes so that they conduct themselves properly, even when Mom and Dad are not watching. Longer term, the hope is that the child will one day repeat the procedure with his own kids.
Consider this example. Folks in Joe’s community might encounter one of Joe’s children and respond, “Oh, that’s Joe’s kid!” That sentence can convey various meanings depending on the observed behavior, right? Try it out and see how many meanings you can introduce with emphasis on different words.
God is certainly a responsible parent, and He offers guidance for His children so they will reflect positively on His name. David used the phrase “for His name’s sake” twice in highlighting this truth. God’s kids who go off the rails affect how others view God.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 NASB
For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. Psalms 31:3 NASB
Here’s another instance of God promising His guidance to us. And sadly, I can testify that I’m a charter member of the stubborn mule club when it comes to ignoring His directions. I’m so thankful for God’s patience with me.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. Psalms 32:8-9 NASB
The wrap up.
If I desire God’s guidance then I must develop spiritual disciplines. I must:
- Admit that I need guidance.
- Become an intentional student of God’s Word.
- Listen for the Spirit’s quiet voice.
- Exercise my prayer muscles.
- Accept God’s parental guidance.
In the next session we’ll uncover methods God uses to guide us in the physical realm.
Note: Plank Floor Image generated by Gemini – “Old plank floor as background, covered in arrows pointing different ways…” prompt. Gemini, 1.0, Google, 17 Oct. 2026, google.com.
[1] Swindoll, Charles R. The Tale of the Tardy Ox Cart. Nashville: Word Publishing. 1998. p 247.
