What does the Bible say about guidance and finding God’s will? More than you might expect. Enjoy this sampling of Bible verses, quotes, and suggested resources on seeking God’s guidance.
While the Bible may not specifically direct you on who to marry, what college to attend, or which career path to choose, it does share everything you need to follow His leading in life.
May the rich truths of the Scriptures below cause your heart to rejoice in the grace and help of our Lord!
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:4—5, 9
Our word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God, who went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go. Deuteronomy 1:29-33
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:3–4
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20–21
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1–2
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 1 Peter 2:15
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17
John Piper Sermon: What Is the Will of God and How Do We Know It? on Romans 12:1–2 (Download MP3)
J.I. Packer Lecture: Guidance about Guidance (Download MP3)
Timothy Keller Sermon: Your Plans—God’s Plans (Download MP3)
Kevin DeYoung Lecture: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will (Parts 1 and 2)
“So go marry someone, provided you’re equally yoked and you actually like being with each other. Go get a job, provided it’s not wicked. Go live somewhere in something with somebody or nobody. But put aside the passivity and the quest for complete fulfillment and the perfectionism and the preoccupation with the future, and for God’s sake start making some decisions in your life. Don’t wait for the liver-shiver. If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God’s will, so just go out and do something.”
― Kevin DeYoung
“We walk into the future in God-glorifying confidence, not because the future is known to us but because it is known to God. And that’s all we need to know. Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting in the promises of God.”
― Kevin DeYoung
“This is the cosmic ruler who hears the sparrow fall and monitors the hairs on our head. He works in all things, not just in some things. There is no limit to God’s involvement in our lives. We”
― Phillip D. Jensen
“Guidance only comes to the humble—to those who sorrow over their sin, and are prepared to listen and change; that is, repent. Faith”
― Phillip D. Jensen
“God delights to hear the prayers of His people when they individually ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” The Christian pursues God, looking for His marching orders, seeking to know what course of action
is pleasing to Him. This search for the will of God is a holy quest-a pursuit that is to be undertaken with vigor by the godly person.”
― R.C. Sproul
“All who receive God’s guidance and seek to live by it must expect experiences of this kind, to instruct, test, correct, purge, deepen, and strengthen them. For it is by these means that God trains, matures, and toughens his children, increases their faith, and makes them grow in Christ.”
― J.I. Packer
“The wisdom whereby we are able to make right decisions about life’s problems comes principally from soaking ourselves in the Scriptures.”
—J.I. Packer
“The will of God is not primarily a place. The will of God is not, first of all, for you to go there or work here. The will of God concerns you as a person. If you are the right you, you can follow your desires and you will fulfill His will.”
― John MacArthur
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