One of the greatest lessons a believer must learn is that not everything that appears good is necessarily from God. There is a significant difference between what is good and what is God’s will.
Many of life’s biggest mistakes are not made because people deliberately choose evil. Often, they are made because people choose what appears to be good without first seeking God’s direction.
This is why believers need more than intelligence.
They need discernment.
They need spiritual wisdom.
They need understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit.
A good opportunity is not always God’s opportunity.
A good relationship is not always God’s relationship.
A good job is not always God’s assignment.
A good business idea is not always God’s purpose.
A good investment is not always God’s timing.
The Christian life is not just simply about choosing between good and evil. Don’t get me wrong, this is important, because the fear of God will never direct you to what is evil or to do what is evil. The fear of God always drives you to holiness and obedience before God.
However, in my humble opinion, for those of us who are continually growing in Christ, the biggest challenge I think is really about discerning between what is merely good and what is God’s best.
This is where the ministry of the Holy Spirit becomes indispensable.
The Holy Spirit enables believers to see beyond appearances and perceive what God sees.
The book of Proverbs gives us a beautiful picture of this.
Proverbs 2:10-12; “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil…” NKJV
Notice the order in these verses:
- Wisdom enters the heart.
- Knowledge becomes delightful to the soul.
- Then discretion preserves you.
- Then understanding keeps you.
- Finally, it delivers you from the way of evil.
This is not merely natural wisdom gained through education or life experience. It is spiritual understanding that comes from God’s Word as it is illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
Information informs the mind.
The Holy Spirit produces understanding in the heart.
One of the wonderful ministries of the Holy Spirit is that He takes the written Word of God and makes it living, personal, and applicable to our daily decisions.
As Jesus said,
John 16:13;“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” NKJV
Notice that Jesus did not simply say the Holy Spirit would teach truth. He said He would guide us into truth.
Guidance implies movement. It speaks of direction. It involves helping us navigate the many decisions of life.
This is why spiritual discernment is so valuable. Discernment is the God given ability to distinguish between appearances and reality. It helps us recognise what is from God and what only looks attractive. It enables us to distinguish between the right path and the almost right path.
Dear friend, many roads can appear promising while ultimately leading to disappointment. The Word of God warns us of this reality.
Proverbs 14:12; “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” NKJV
Notice the wording.
- It seems right.
- It appears logical.
- It feels attractive.
- It may even receive the approval of others.
- Yet its destination is destruction.
This is why as a covenant child of God, you cannot make decisions based solely upon sense-knowledge, emotions, opportunities, or human reasoning.
Something can make perfect financial sense and still not be God’s will. A promotion may increase income while pulling a believer away from God’s calling. A relationship may appear exciting while slowly drawing the heart away from Christ.
A ministry opportunity may seem significant while distracting someone from the assignment God actually gave them.
Not every open door is opened by God.
- Sometimes God opens doors.
- Sometimes He closes them.
- And sometimes He allows certain doors simply to reveal whether we will seek His wisdom before walking through them.
Sadly, many times as believers we step into those doors simply because they look good, not because they are from God. Then, when the negative outcomes appear, we realise we should have sought God first. May we never enter a door that God has not authorised for us, in Jesus Name. Amen.
This is why Proverbs 2 is so encouraging.
It teaches that spiritual understanding protects us. Protection is one of the often overlooked blessings of divine wisdom. Many believers think of protection only in terms of physical safety. And certainly, God actively ensures our physical safety (Please study Psalm 91)
However, God also protects His people from poor decisions.
- He protects us from deception.
- He protects us from unnecessary heartache.
- He protects us from relationships that would damage our walk with Him.
- He protects us from opportunities that would ultimately become burdens.
- He protects us from choices that appear beneficial but carry hidden consequences.
God’s wisdom acts like a spiritual lighthouse. It keeps us from wandering onto dangerous roads. God’s wisdom warns of danger and guides you safely through dark or confusing seasons
The passage also says that understanding delivers us from the way of evil.
This is significant. Notice that it says “the way” of evil.
The Bible often describes life as a journey made up of many paths. Every decision places us on a particular path. One choice may lead toward peace. Another toward compromise. One toward spiritual growth.
Another toward spiritual decline. One toward God’s purpose. Another toward unnecessary pain.
The Holy Spirit protects us long before danger becomes visible if we submit to Him.
- Sometimes He creates an uneasiness within our hearts.
- Sometimes He brings a particular Scripture to our minds.
- Sometimes He gives us a lack of peace.
- Sometimes He uses wise counsel from mature believers.
- Sometimes He simply tells us to wait.
- Sometimes He tells us to move forward with faith, not fear.
All of these are expressions of His loving guidance.
This means believers should never make decisions based merely on feelings.
Our discernment must always be anchored in God’s Word. The Holy Spirit never leads contrary to the Scriptures He inspired. His guidance will always agree with biblical truth.
As we consistently and daily study God’s Word, our spiritual discernment becomes sharper.
Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” NKJV
Discernment develops as believers continually apply God’s Word to everyday life.
Notice Paul says, “…by reason of use”
Like any healthy muscle, it grows stronger through consistent use. The more we walk with God, the more quickly we recognise His voice. The more we meditate upon Scripture, the more easily we identify counterfeit ideas.
The more we submit to the Holy Spirit, the more sensitive we become to His leading. In practical terms, this means we should pause before making important decisions.
Before accepting a new opportunity, ask whether it aligns with God’s Word and His purposes for your life. Before entering a relationship, seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit rather than relying only on emotions.
Before making financial decisions, invite God to direct your steps. Before committing your time and energy, ask whether this is merely a good opportunity or whether it is truly God’s assignment.
Many believers spend their lives pursuing good things while missing God’s best.
The goal of the Christian life is not simply to fill our lives with good activities. It is to walk in the will of God.
The Holy Spirit delights in leading believers into God’s best.
- He gives wisdom where there is confusion.
- He gives understanding where there is uncertainty.
- He gives discernment where there are many competing voices.
- His wisdom protects.
- His understanding preserves.
- His guidance delivers us from paths that lead to unnecessary sorrow.
When believers consistently seek the Holy Spirit through prayer, immerse themselves in God’s Word, and willingly obey His promptings, they become increasingly able to distinguish between what is merely good and what is truly from God. That is one of the greatest protections the Father has graciously provided for us as His covenant children, who desires to walk in His perfect will.
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my old ways and ask You to forgive me. Come into my heart, be my Lord and Saviour. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me live for You. Thank You for saving me, in Jesus Name. Amen“
Prayer-Declaration: Holy Spirit, please deliver me from being impulsive and over-dependence on my sense-knowledge. Help me to pause, pray, prioritise what is important to You, and proceed as Your Spirit directs me. Please, grant me spiritual discernment and wisdom to know when a door is good but not God’s will, in Jesus Name. Amen
Feast of Light Word Ministry
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