Ask any pastor. The questions they get asked the most are about God’s will. “Pastor, should I take this job; marry this person; work on this degree? How do I know if it’s God’s will?!”

Even the language we use is confusing—“how to find God’s will.” Why do you need to find it? Did it get lost? Is God hiding it somewhere? The phrase brings to mind images of people peeking under every rock, hoping that God will give them hints—“you’re getting cold; okay, getting warmer now; nope, now you’re cold again.”

Over the next three weeks we will consider bedrock truths about God’s will and a step-by-step process for making decisions. Let’s start with two mistakes we all need to correct:

1. Don’t decide what you want without considering God’s leading.

I know someone who attracted the attentions of a very stubborn girl. She decided that it was God’s will for Mike to marry her—the fact that Mike didn’t like her wasn’t a problem. She wrote letters, called him relentlessly, and managed a small campaign for herself. When Mike still showed no interest, she announced that he must not be saved since otherwise he would recognize her as God’s will.

Mike’s pursuer had slapped “God’s will” like a label on what she wanted.

For another example, imagine someone hopelessly in debt who splurges on a 2014 Corvette, rationalizing that it felt like God’s will. If you don’t think this sort of thing happens, ask your pastor.

This problem is age-old. When the Israelites were moving into the Promised Land, the elders of Israel were approached by foreign diplomats who seemed to come from far away. Their decision to make a pact seemed to be the only logical choice. But they “asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14). The debilitating results of that decision plagued Israel for hundreds of years.

We all fall into this trap sometimes. Here’s advice we need to hear: Never make decisions without seeking God’s direction. It isn’t your decision, your will, or even your life; you belong to God. He’s entitled to direct every choice you make.

But think about it too long and you might swing to the other extreme:

2. Don’t become paralyzed in every decision while waiting for God’s leading.

Imagine a hypothetical 28-year-old named Larry. For 10 years now Larry has been living in his parent’s basement. Larry has never had a job. Larry has no plans. Mainly he just plays video games. And if you ask him what his goals are, he says he’s waiting to find God’s will for his life.

Or consider MaryAnn, who lives across town. She reads her Bible and agonizes over nearly every decision.“How do I know this is God’s leading?” What about answers to prayer or wise counsel? “Well yes,” she says, “but what if it’s actually the devil trying to confuse me and I just think God answered my prayer? How would I ever know?”

There’s a biblical example for MaryAnn and Larry, too. In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon can’t find the courage to attack the Midianites. Twice he asks God for a sign; twice God answers. We all want to know, “is it okay to lay out a fleece? Am I allowed to ask for a sign confirming God’s will?” But that misses the point of the passage. Gideon prays, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said… [please give me a sign].” “As you have said?” Then why do you need a sign? Why seek confirmation when God has already spoken? Nothing is more certain than the words of almighty God. Even two miracles couldn’t help Gideon because his problem was more basic—a problem of faith.

God hasn’t audibly spoken to say which job to take, what career to pursue, or which girl to marry. But he has told you a lot—a whole book full of direction, in fact. Don’t spend your life looking for a sign or enlightenment. God has already spoken. Instead of searching under every mystical rock, keep it simple—read your Bible and apply your heart to know and follow God’s way.

And this brings us back to a basic conclusion for both extremes—both lazy Larry and the girl in love with Mike. Start with what you know.  You’ll need to make specific decisions in life and they won’t always be clear. Don’t just follow your own desires and call it God’s will; but don’t live life paralyzed with fear either. Start with what you know. Recognize your own tendency and counter it with truths from God’s Word.

Here is rock-solid guidance from God that never changes: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). Or what about this? “This is the will of God—your sanctification [namely] that you abstain from fornication” (1 Thess. 4:3). So until we’ve reached the whole world with the gospel or until we’re completely sanctified, there should be plenty to do. Rather than focusing on the details we wish we knew, we should expend our efforts obeying the instructions clearly stated in God’s Word.

God still used Gideon in spite of his unbelief; God is still committed to His people, even though they failed to seek His counsel. Our gracious God uses sinners. But those who willingly, joyfully submit to the clear counsel of His Word will rejoice in double-blessings.

We’ll discuss more about obeying God’s leading in upcoming posts.