When you need God’s instruction

“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

God Instructs Us in Many Ways

God promises to guide, advise, and watch over His children. And He can use many different ways to get our attention.

“For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it.” (Job 33:14)

Some Ways God Instructs His Children

Through Scripture

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (2 Tim. 3:16 NIV)

Through His creation

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1 NIV)

Through other believers and their God-given gifts

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…” (Rom. 12:6 NIV)

Through difficulties

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” (Psalm 119:67 NIV)

Through the Holy Spirit

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26 NIV)

Through circumstances

Jonah ran from God’s instructions, but God used a violent storm to get his attention and redirect his life. (Jonah 1:1-4)

Test Everything by Scripture

God can use people, circumstances, difficulties, and many other things to instruct us, but His guidance will never contradict His Word.

The Bereans eagerly listened to Paul, but they still examined the Scriptures every day to make sure what they were hearing was true.

“…they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11 NIV)

Therefore

Stay teachable. Read God’s Word, listen to the Holy Spirit, pay attention to what God may be teaching you through others and your circumstances, and test everything by Scripture.

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.”
(Prov. 19:20 NLT)

Quote

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion—it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” — Billy Graham