Choosing God’s Will over Our Own Will
By Lynette Kittle
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” - Psalm 25:9
It’s easy for women to believe our hearts’ desires will lead us to happiness, even if sometimes they don’t seem to line up with God’s ways and will for our lives. Proverbs 4:23 urges us to, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Still, we often easily yield to our intuitive side, to what feels right to us, even if it’s not exactly aligning with God’s word and His leading. But before we follow our hearts, here are some things to consider.
Our hearts can mislead us. As Jeremiah 17:9 explains, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
As women, we don’t like to consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, our hearts can be led astray at times, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. But 1 Timothy 2:14 explains, “And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.”
When confronted, Eve humbly confessed her failure. “Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate’” (Genesis 3:13).
It’s wise for us to not let pride keep us from recognizing that even the strongest, most pure woman can be deceived and misled about a person or a situation. Proverbs 11:2 reminds us, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Realizing the enemy of our souls has a sneaky way of deceiving a woman’s tender heart, helps us to rely on God’s word and leading more than our own feelings. It helps us to turn to God for wisdom rather than rationalizing our choices.
Recognizing deception can unknowingly infiltrate our lives is vital to following God’s will over our own. Like the Apostle Paul stressed in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
Our desires may not be God’s will for our lives. Nowadays, things considered good in life really aren’t. 1 John 2:16 describes, “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Following worldly wisdom is sure to lead us astray. 1 Corinthians 3:19, clarifies, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness.’”
Worldly wisdom leads us to make easy, selfish choices, especially when it comes to relationships. It urges us to do whatever makes us feel happy, regardless of the destruction it brings to our own lives and the debris it leaves behind in the lives of people who love us.
Galatians 5:19-21 explains, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live this way will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Self-seeking leads to destruction in our lives, as Romans 2:8 describes. “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
Our plans aren’t better than God’s plan for our lives. Isaiah 55:9 assures us that, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
When we put our trust in God, believing His will for our lives is better than our own will, our hearts will begin to align with His truth over human desires. But when we make decisions based on earthly wisdom and feelings, we’re saying our ways are better than God’s ways.
Many believers don’t realize that by rejecting God’s will for their lives, they are rejecting God. Romans 10:3, explains, “Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.”
Our safety, security, and contentment in life come through trusting God and choosing to follow His ways over our own ways. Proverbs 1:33 assures us, “But whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father,
As Psalm 86:11 encourages, “Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”
Help me to trust Your will and plans for my life, over my own. Soften my heart, Lord, to follow You and seek Your leading in all that I do.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Kieferpix
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
Looking for authentic conversations about how to deal with body image, insecurity, and comparison issues as a Christian woman? The Compared to Who? Podcast is the show for you! Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like dieting, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, body dysmorphia, and more from a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered perspective.
Originally published Tuesday, 15 August 2023.
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