<< Back Next >> Recent questions Ask Jack a question
Questions about: Guidance

Alvaro: (04/19/08) hi jack, part of my christian life I have lived making decisions based on intelligence, or sometimes in how I feel, always under God's truth of course, sometimes it seems that God warns me from doing something, like in the mornign I have to do something and I feel that I shouldnt do it, I feel and sometimes a voice tells me that should stay home(for example), but I ignore this feeling and I go, later on happens that the person I supose to meet does not get there, and I get frustrated, or many other things, I know God loves me and does everything for my own good, my problem is that I started to feel insecure about what I do for fear of not following God's guidence, see I pray everymornign and I have my devotional, I know God speaks through the Word and Through prayer, and I have experienced it, so my question is that if you ever had this kind of experience and How to recognize when comes from God and not from my own mind? I might have the answer alredy but I want a second opinion. thank you so much, forgive my english Im from Mexico and Im not very good. greetings Alvaro

Jack: Thanks, Alvaro, for your question. How nice to receive an e-mail from Mexico!

I appreciate your desire to be sensitive to God. This is a precious decision that I hope you keep all your life. I congratulate you for developing the Christian disciplines of reading Scripture and praying each day. This is an ideal way to settle your heart before the Lord, enter into His presence, and open yourself to Him. I am glad that He speaks to you through the Word.

As you continue in your fellowship with Him, just as you come to be sensitive to what a close friend desires, so we can become more and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit within us. However, as you have experienced, these "feelings" will always have their subjective element. The only sure thing is what we find in Scripture and perhaps though the helpful counsel of several mature Christian friends. As you discovered, the Lord is able to guide you through what you call a "voice." I think this "voice" will also let you know when you have sinned or are not making a good decision. But this can also become a bondage, if you are constantly depending on our feelings. God loves us; He is well able to communicate with us in ways we understand; He is more desirous of our finding His will than we are. So relax, live freely, love the Lord, and rejoice in His love for you. Tell the Lord you want to follow Him, and do what you think is right.

I trust these thoughts will be helpful.

Un abrazo, amigo,

Jack

P.S. We have a whole section on "guidance" in this website, answers I have given to others. You might find it helpful to read through some of them. hi jack, part of my christian life I have lived making decisions based on intelligence, or sometimes in how I feel, always under God's truth of course, sometimes it seems that God warns me from doing something, like in the mornign I have to do something and I feel that I shouldnt do it, I feel and sometimes a voice tells me that should stay home(for example), but I ignore this feeling and I go, later on happens that the person I supose to meet does not get there, and I get frustrated, or many other things, I know God loves me and does everything for my own good, my problem is that I started to feel insecure about what I do for fear of not following God's guidence, see I pray everymornign and I have my devotional, I know God speaks through the Word and Through prayer, and I have experienced it, so my question is that if you ever had this kind of experience and How to recognize when comes from God and not from my own mind? I might have the answer alredy but I want a second opinion. thank you so much, forgive my english Im from Mexico and Im not very good. greetings Alvaro

<< Back Next >> Recent questions Ask Jack a question