GUIDANCE
Life involves the constant making of decisions, both major and minor, and believers naturally want to make decisions that are in accordance with Gods will. They may believe that God is their guide (Psa 48:14) and they may pray for his guidance (Psa 31:3), but they can be assured of his guidance only on certain conditions. They must trust him fully, accept his authority in every part of their lives, and make every effort to live righteously (Pro 3:5-7).
A Christian mind
Many of lifes decisions may be plainer than people think. Often what is required is not a special direction from God, but simply obedience to plain instructions that God has already given (e.g. Eph 4:25; Eph 4:28; Eph 4:32; see OBEDIENCE). However, people must know what is in the Bible if they are to obey it (2Ti 3:15-17; cf. Joh 13:17).
As believers increase their understanding of the Bible, their thinking gradually changes. They learn to think christianly, even about issues where the Bible gives no direct instruction. Their minds are transformed by the Holy Spirit through the Word, and this helps them to know Gods will and do what pleases him (Rom 12:2; Col 1:9-10; Col 3:10; cf. Joh 16:13; see KNOWLEDGE; MIND).
If people allow their lives to be directed by the Spirit through the Word, and if they do not self-confidently trust in their own wisdom, they can be assured that God will guide their decisions (Psa 25:8-10; Pro 3:5-7). He promises to give wisdom to those who in humility and faith ask for it (Jam 1:5-6; see PRAYER; WISDOM). He also encourages believers to discuss matters with those whose insight and experience can help them see issues more clearly (Pro 12:15; 1Co 7:1).
God does not want Christians to be uncertain or timid in the way they live. He wants them to think, pray, discuss and decide, and then to act confidently upon their decisions (Act 6:3; Act 13:2-3; Act 15:25; Act 15:28; Act 15:36; Act 20:16; Rom 15:24-26; Tit 3:12). As they exercise their spiritual judgment in making decisions, they will grow towards maturity (Php 1:9-11; Heb 5:14). On occasions, however, God may choose to direct people not so much through their minds as through compelling inner feelings, or even through dreams and visions (Act 8:29; Act 10:9-16; Act 16:9; see DREAM; VISION).
Faith in practice
Christians believe that God controls all the affairs of life and works through those affairs for their good (Rom 8:28; Php 1:12). They may believe that in certain circumstances God opens a door and gives opportunities (1Co 16:8-9), and in others he closes a door and denies opportunities (Act 16:6-7). But circumstances in themselves are not always clear guidance. Favourable circumstances could be a temptation to take the path that is most naturally pleasing. Unfavourable circumstances could be a temptation to avoid the path that looks unpleasant (Jam 1:2-3; Jam 1:14; see TEMPTATION). Circumstances are not Gods guidance for a certain action if that action is itself contrary to what the Bible clearly teaches (1Sa 26:7-9).
God wants people to live their everyday lives positively, in a way that reflects the character of their salvation. He wants them to act in faith rather than ask for signs (2Co 5:7; cf. Mat 16:4); yet he may graciously give signs to those whose faith is not strong (Jdg 6:16-18; Jdg 6:36-40; Mat 12:20).
Christians should do what is right regardless of circumstances, rather than allow their circumstances to determine what they do (Php 4:11-13). God does not want people controlled outwardly, as if they are no better than animals controlled by a harness. He wants people controlled inwardly, as the spirit of God renews their minds after the likeness of Jesus Christ (Psa 32:8-9; Eph 4:22-24).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Guidance
See God, Guide
God, Guide
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
GUIDANCE
(A) GUIDANCE, divine
(1) Promised to the Obedient
Into Pleasant Paths
Psa 23:2
In Making Decisions
Psa 25:9; Psa 32:8
Unto the End of Life
Psa 48:14
By Wise Counsel
Psa 73:24
By the Still Small Voice
Isa 30:21
In the Midst of Uncertainties
Isa 42:16; Isa 48:17
By Divine Illumination
Luk 1:79; Joh 10:4
Into all Truth
Joh 16:13
–SEE Inspiration (2), INSPIRATION, DIVINE
“Spirit” Teacher, HOLY SPIRIT
Enlightenment, LIGHT
Light Promised, LIGHT
Wisdom Promised, WISDOM
(2) Sought
Psa 5:8; Psa 25:5; Psa 27:11; Psa 143:10; Act 1:24
–SEE Teachableness, PATIENCE
Crying to God, EARNESTNESS
& EARNESTNESS
Seekers, SEEKING GOD
Instruction Sought, RECEPTION
(3) Examples of
Gen 25:27; Exo 13:21; Neh 9:19; Psa 78:14; Mat 2:9
–SEE Instruction, RECEPTION
“Spirit” Guides, HOLY SPIRIT
Inspiration (3), INSPIRATION, DIVINE
Pillar of Cloud, REVELATIONS
(4) Explicit Instructions given
As to Leaving old associations
Gen 12:1
–Returning home
Gen 31:3
–Assuming Leadership
Exo 3:10
–Forward Movements
Jos 1:2
–Waging Warfare
Jdg 6:14; 2Sa 5:19
–Finding Supplies
1Ki 17:3; 1Ki 17:4; 1Ki 17:9
–Coming out from retirement
1Ki 18:1
–Anointing leaders
1Ki 19:15
–Pronouncing judgments
1Ki 21:18; 1Ki 21:19; 2Ki 1:3
–SEE Divine Commands, COMMANDS, DIVINE
(B) THE DIVINE LEADER-How and where he leads his People
In Difficult Places, for testing
Deu 8:2
Like a Mother Bird teaching her Young to Fly
Deu 32:11; Deu 32:12
In a Plain Path
Psa 27:11; Psa 60:9
Like a Shepherd
Psa 77:20
No Place beyond the Reach of his Hand
Psa 139:9; Psa 139:10; Pro 20:24; Isa 63:14
Steadily toward the Cross
Mar 10:32
To the Border of the Unseen
Luk 24:50; Luk 24:51
–SEE Pillar of Cloud, REVELATIONS
“Spirit” Guides, HOLY SPIRIT
(C) INQUIRING OF GOD, seeking guidance
(1) General Examples of
Gen 25:22; Jdg 1:1; Jdg 20:27; 2Sa 2:1; 1Ch 14:14; Psa 78:34
–SEE Prayer, PRAYER
Seekers, SEEKING GOD
(2) Inquiring through the Prophets, concerning Perplexing Questions
Business affairs
1Sa 9:8
Battles
1Sa 23:2; 1Ki 22:7
Great Emergencies
2Ki3:11
Sickness
2Ki8:8
The Teachings of the Scriptures
2Ki22:13
The Issues of war
Jer 21:2; Jer 37:7
By Hypocrites
Eze 14:7; Eze 20:1