“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)

The Word of God promises that God will guide us in the way we should go.

While we firmly uphold this promise, we need to take note of some hindrances in discerning God’s guidance in our lives. They are:

1. Unholy life–

Sin separates. It creates enmity between God and man; and in human relationships. A sinful heart does not delight itself in seeking God’s will because God’s guidance involves walking in the paths of righteousness (Ps. 23:3). Sin is a hindrance to surrender, and embracing God’s sovereign rule over our lives.

2. Self will–

In the Lord’s Prayer, we are commanded to pray, “Your kingdom come and your will be done…”

God’s will is what we should constantly desire to accomplish or to be accomplished in the world just as it is in heaven. But as a prerogative, we first need to dethrone our own/self will for God’s will to prevail. It is illogical to expect God to be your guide when all you’re doing is holding up tightly to your own will. God is not there to rubber-stamp your ways/will; He is there to guide those whose hearts are fully surrendered to his will.

Therefore, as individuals, we need to overcome the desire to doing things ‘my way’ and let God have his own way in our agendas. Naturally, human will and its way of doing things is conditioned by culture, past experience, and tradition. Dethroning our self will need courage for it to bring forth surrender and humility. An attitude of surrender makes us cede ground/control so as to allow Spirit’s guidance. In order to overcome self-will we need a total surrender and desire to follow God’s path; the way of wisdom and righteousness.

God delights in guiding those whose hearts are loyal to Him and have surrendered their will.

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not 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 shun evil.” (Prov 3:5-7)

3. Influence of others-

Being surrounded by a network of people is something good. The value of friendships and relationships can’t be overestimated.

But it matters what type of friends surround you.

Friends come in all shapes and forms. Some friends, in their pride, pretend to know every solution to your predicaments. These ‘professional’ experts in every life-matter can land you into a big trouble because all they have to offer is limited to their experience, convenience, knowledge and predictions. I’m talking about the self-proclaimed ‘professors’ of love/ marriages/health in your life who claim to have power to discern every aspect and detail of your life. Beware of them!

Some friends can massage your ego by telling you what your itching ears want to hear. They can suppress or compromise truth to sustain their friendship with you. They can be economical with truth; or lack courage to confront a situation truthfully. They can also pressure you to make certain decisions.

As a result they become a hindrance towards your discernment of God’s leading in your life. The point is not that you do away with friends, but that you be cautious whom you listen to. They should be godly; friends who walk by faith; people who are able to discern God’s move in your life and offer biblical solutions.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of God, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Ps. 1:1-2)

4. Ignorance of God’s word–

God has given us his holy Word to be our sure guide. It is our life-manual. We consult it when we are in the crossroads of life. It teaches us, corrects us, directs us, rebukes us and leads us in the righteous path. God’s will is revealed in his Word.

But there is a big problem if you are ignorant on what is written in there. Ignorance of God’s word deprives us of having a Christian worldview that in turn influences our actions, reactions, decision, emotions, convictions, affections and how we interpret the world/reality around us.

Ignorance of God’s word makes it hard to discern God’s way or leading in our lives.

5. Busyness of life

Discernment of God’s leading often comes when we spent time off our busy schedules and to have a time of reflection and solitude. From time to time we need to get out of our activity-packed schedules and seek to hear the small still voice of God.

6. Impatience

Sometimes an answer to a prayer can ‘delay’. This will certainly need patience; a fruit of the Holy Spirit. God is not in a hurry; He was, He is, and He shall be. He does things at his appointed time; and his timing even in answering our prayers is the best. Those who wait upon the Lord shall be rewarded and strengthened.

Impatience can breed a fertile ground for self-will. Impatience over God’s promise made Abraham and Sarah in their sunset years to doubt God and execute a back-up plan/plan B to address their childlessness situation.

Discerning God’s guidance may take time, and more time; so developing this fruit of the Spirit is necessary.

7. Fleshly desires– (related to the first one)

Not all of our desires are evil; some can be good.

In Galatians 5:16-21, desires of the flesh act in contrast to the ways of the Spirit. In discerning God’s guidance we need to beware of the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (Gen 3; Matt 4:1-11; 1 Jn 2:15); we are not immune to temptations in these areas. You want to discern God’s guidance? keep in step with the Spirit of God by living a holy life.

He will guide You!

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