Five Principles for Following God's Ways

By: Steven Nauman Jr.

How Do I Know God’s Will for Me?

Sometimes, following God feels like walking through a dense fog; unsure where to go and how to get there. We know that we are supposed to trust God and follow His ways, but how do we know what they are? This leaves us asking:

“How do I know what God wants me to do?”

Should I take the job? Move to a new city? End a relationship? Have that difficult conversation?

We all wish that God would hand us a detailed roadmap for life situations. Instead, He often gives us something better: His presence, His Word, and enough direction to make the next step.

The good news is that God is not hiding His will from His children. While He doesn’t reveal every detail for our future, He has given us reliable ways to walk in wisdom and discern His direction.

1. Start With What God Has Already Said

Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

One of the biggest mistakes Christians make is searching for God’s hidden will while ignoring His revealed will.

Before asking, “What should I do?” ask:

• Am I obeying God’s Word?

• Am I pursuing holiness?

• Am I loving God and others?

• Am I being faithful where He has already placed me?

God’s guidance will never contradict God’s Word.

For example, a young believer might asks, “Should I marry this person or not?” But before considering attraction or chemistry, Scripture suggests a more important question:

“Is that person following God?”

Start with what God has already said and then go from there. God will never ask you to do something that requires disobedience to what He has already said.

2. Ask for Wisdom, Not Just Answers

James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.”

Often we pray, “Lord, tell me what to do.”

Scripture teaches us to pray, “Lord, make me wise.”

God is often more interested in shaping our character than simply giving us direction.

For example, two job opportunities seem equally good. Neither violates Scripture. Instead of asking God for a sign, we should ask:

“Which option would help me glorify God most faithfully?”

That’s a wisdom-focused question. God often uses life's crossroads to increase our wisdom and faith, so lets pray for it in the process.

3. Seek Godly Counsel

Proverbs 15:22 — “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

God frequently guides His people through other believers.

Wise friends, pastors, mentors, and mature Christians can often see things we miss.

For example, before changing jobs, leaving a church, or making a major life decision, seek counsel from people who know Scripture and know you well.

Many painful mistakes could be avoided if we listened to godly counsel before we acted. Making decisions on your own is not a sign of self-sufficency, but of danger (Proverbs 11:14).

4. Choose Faithfulness Over Feelings

Proverbs 3:5 — "do not lean on your own understanding.”

Many Christians are taught to make decisions based primarily on whether they “have a peace” about something.

The problem is that peace is not always a reliable guide.

Sometimes we feel at peace when avoiding something uncomfortable. Not all uncomfortable situations are bad.

Jesus experienced great anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane before going to the cross. Paul repeatedly walked into cities knowing suffering awaited him. Neither man was guided primarily by comfort or peace. Both were guided by obedience.

Instead of asking, "Do I have a peace about this situation?" the better question for us to ask is: “Is this a faithful thing to do?”

God has not called us to follow our feelings. He has called us to follow Him.

For example, next time that you know you need to have a difficult conversation, forgive someone who hurt you, share the Gospel with a friend, or take a step of obedience; remember, the goal is not to find the most comfortable path, but to walk the most faithful One.

5. Take the Next Faithful Step

Proverbs 3:6 — “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

One reason we struggle with God’s will is because we like to know the next ten years of plans, while God usually only shows us the next step.

Abraham didn’t know where he was going.

The disciples didn’t know where following Jesus would lead.

You may not know where you’ll be next year, but you know what faithfulness requires today:

• Prayer.

• Loving your family.

• Serving your church.

• Sharing the Gospel.

• Walking with Christ each day.

Often, the next step becomes clear as we faithfully take the current one.

Many Christians spend their lives trying to discover the perfect plan that God has for them, but the focus of Proverbs 3 is not the plan—it’s the Lord who has the plan.

When we trust Him with all our hearts and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He faithfully directs our lives according to His wisdom and purposes.

You may not know exactly what tomorrow holds, but you can know the One who does. So, believer, stay faithful, trust Him, and He will direct your paths.