This algorithm is still in the testing phase. Try at your own risk. But it goes like this:
When we are trying to discern God's will in a situation, there are 2 influencing voices (in addition to whatever your friendly brain contributes). The Spirit and the flesh. God has good plans (boom (a), boom (b) for you. The Evil One has opposing plans - bad plans for you, plans to destroy you, and to prevent you from a close relationship with God. The Spirit and flesh are constantly battling it out inside of you (Bonus reading). Each has a voice, so if we can learn which is which, we'll have some insight into which option matches what we know about God's will. For the decision in question, go over each of these:
a) Fear
Fear is not a fruit of the Spirit. God commands us to NOT be afraid, so He won't use fear to guide us. The Spirit operates at a level beyond what we can do in our own strength, so fear is a common obstacle we must overcome as we follow God. Don't choose not to do something because you fear it. God's wants you to fear Him and nothing else.
b) Ease/Selfishness/Pride
The flesh always wants to do what is easy and what immediately feels good....AND it wants to look good while doing it! The Spirit says to do the opposite. Love instructions are a good example. It's not about you.
c) Faith
It's impossible to please God without Faith (Heb 11.6), so the path God wants us to follow should require faith! If it doesn't, then God's not very excited about that option - so why should you be? Bonus nugget: God's way frequently requires patience and endurance boom (a), boom (b). It also requires God's power to complete it, for you are too weak to do what the Spirit wants.
d) Fruit/Growth
The flesh will lead us to make decisions that do not challenge us and do not facilitate maturing. The Spirit will lead us into situations that stretch us and produce good fruit in our lives - thus the 'pressing on'.
e) Looks like Jesus
He said to follow Him and be like Him. This is hard. Fact
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