Obeying God’s Direction When You Don’t Want To| How to Follow God’s Way
Obeying God's Direction in Our Life
The Lord gives us direction in life, but it is up to us to choose to listen and obey God’s direction. Whether it is a big life decision, a nudging to do something, or just turning from sin, God will lead us in the way that we should go. Are we following our way or God’s way? What should we do when we are tempted to follow our fleshly desires instead of God’s way?
Obeying God’s Direction
Since we are born with our own freewill, we can be tempted to go in a way that conflicts with the Lord’s way. Nevertheless, we must obey and not ignore the Lord’s leading! The Lord leads us in the way of righteousness, for He knows the safest and best route for our life. What is the use in asking God to lead us, if we don’t choose to go the way that God directs us?
Sometimes what we want is the opposite way that God wants us to go. Which if it does not have God’s blessing, then it will not lead to the way of righteousness. Let’s say we feel like we should go our way, but we strongly feel like God is saying no. Do we allow our feelings to become higher than what God commands of us? No, indeed no! Letting go of what we want and trusting that God’s way is better is certainly not the easiest thing to do, though it is the best thing we can do.
Isaiah 56:8-9 NIV, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”
Let us not allow our limited view to go above the infinite understanding of God. If we believe that our way is better than the one and only God, then we are fooled. Our way, when opposed to God’s way, results in unnecessary, negative consequences that would have been avoided, had we not refused to listen to the voice of the Lord.
Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end lead to death.” That does not mean that every way we choose to go is led by our fleshly desires, but if it is against God’s commands then it leads to negative consequences. We constantly need to be reminded to not allow our way to become superior to the Lord’s way for our life. Let’s continually examine our ways to ensure that they line up with Scripture.
Just like the Israelites were called to walk in the ways of the Lord, we are too! In Deuteronomy 5:33, it says, “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.”
Analogy of Ignoring God’s Way
Imagine that we are about to climb a very steep, rocky trail. Instead of starting where the trail indicates to start, we choose to make up our own route because we feel that it is a better way to go or maybe we just want to go our own way. So, we find the spot we want to begin, but notice there is a sign that says, “DANGER! DO NOT ENTER.”
Should we still proceed to go that way, and ignore the clear sign of danger? If we ignore the warning signs, it is like ignoring the direction that God say to go. Likewise, if we see a big danger sign and choose to proceed anyway, it’s like telling God “No, I don’t care. I want to go my way.”
Unfortunately, we all have been guilty of this, but the important thing for us to do is learn from those times. The Lord teaches us, even in our times of disobedience. Let us learn to listen to God’s voice and obey the way that He leads us, and not repeat the same mistakes. Blessings comes from being obedient to God.
“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
Psalm 128:1, ESV
How to Follow God’s Way — Obeying God’s Direction
Seek the Lord’s Way Through Prayer – Are You Praying About It?
To follow God’s way, we should always seek God through prayer. God invites us to pray about all things. If we have a resistance to obey the Lord, we can talk to God about it and ask for strength to be obedient to His Will. The Lord already knows our wants, needs, and desires, even when our desires want to resist the way that God is calling us. Let us seek the Lord’s way through prayer in our decisions, callings, struggles, weaknesses, and in everything.
Find out more on how to pray.
Check All Things Against Scripture – Does it Line Up with Scripture?
The Lord’s commands are for our good and draw us closer to God, instead of away from Him. God will only lead us in the way that is supported by Scripture. God’s way doesn’t lead us to sin. If what we want doesn’t line up with the Bible, then that is a huge red flag. God gives us warnings when we are going in the wrong direction, but we are responsible for following the Lord’s leading when we know what the Lord is telling us to do. May we always choose God’s way over our way.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105, ESV
The Word of God is our guide. That is why it’s crucial to regularly be in God’s Word. Let us not just listen to the Bible; let’s be doers. Like James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Find a Christian Mentor – Do you have godly advice?
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Proverbs 13:20, ESV
Christian community is so important for all believers. A wise, godly friend or mentor can help speak truth into our life. There is much value in seeking Christian advice when we are confused about what God is telling us. A Christian mentor should seek God’s way and offer advice that is biblically sound.
“The way of the fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 12:15, ESV
Walk in the Way of Peace – Do You Have Peace?
“Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 34:14, ESV
Following God’s way brings peace. When we don’t have peace about something, such as a decision, then it’s most likely not God’s Will. God will lead us in the way that is accompanied by peace. Peace is not to be confused with momentary pleasure or instant gratification. If we are walking in sin, then our conscience will bring the feeling of spiritual grief and discomfort. Therefore, following God’s way is following peace.
“For ‘Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.’”
1 Peter 3:10-11, ESV
Trust that God Knows Best – Do You Love and Trust God?
God sees all things from an all-knowing perspective; our view is shortsighted. We can trust God with our life because He leads us to abundant life—a life in God through Christ. Surrendering our wants, desires, fears, and doubts to God are nothing compared to the sacrifice that Jesus paid for us through the cross. God’s love is so deep for us. We can trust in our loving God! To show our love and trust in God, let us follow God’s way by obeying God’s direction for our life.
We follow God because we love Him and want to do what pleases Him. God’s ways are wonderful, pure, and good. Nothing in this life can compare to the goodness of our Lord. So, when we want to go our own way, let us remember that God’s way for us is good. God's way leads us to a closer relationship with God!
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
Romans 8:5, ESV
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16, ESV
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