Reddit mentions of Finding God's Will in Spiritually Deceptive Times (The Bondage Breaker Series)

Hey brother - you are in my prayers. I've wrestled through questions of guidance before.

If you're looking for a good book to help "kick-start" the process, this is wonderful:

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Spiritually-Deceptive-Bondage-Breaker/dp/0736912207/

I've written a summary of this book to help me when I'm seeking guidance and direction from the Lord. If you'd like, just PM me an email address and I can send you a 2-page summary of the book, which has lots of practical guidance for finding God's guidance and direction for your life.

Regardless - praying for you!

This is an important question. It really depends on a lot of things...I'm assuming that you believe God still speaks and He speaks through more than just Scripture.

I don't necessarily believe that you can take a word simply by the content that the word gives without testing it. Deception often starts with something that's basically true and moves into something blatantly false. For example:

• "I feel the Lord is telling me He wants me to be at peace with Him"
  
  
• "I feel that my marriage is difficult and causing me a lack of peace"
  
  
• "I feel that the Lord is leading me to leave my marriage so that I can better glorify Him with a stronger one" - wrong!
  
  The heart of deception is this: the end-game is all about you rather than God. The serpent tempted Adam and Eve with knowledge to enrich their understanding. Satan tempted Jesus with Scripture to take matters into His own hands and do things His way. Deception takes a truth or half-truth and tries to make you live your own way rather than by "every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Jesus' answer to Satan in Matthew 4:4).
  
  As per the driving example - I simply don't know. I would ask if the person is in community and has been asking those more mature in the faith if they believe He's walking with God. I would also ask if the fruit of the Spirit is growing in His life - if this is God who's been speaking to him, then surely the fruit of God would be more and more evident. Is he experiencing greater victory over sin? Is he becoming more like Christ?
  
  Notice what the Old Testament prophets did - they called for radical repentance before God. That's not something Satan does.
  
  Here are 10 steps I summarized from a book that help me try and determine God's will. Very helpful for me in these situations:
  
  
• Have you prayed about it? Prayer is a first-down huddle, not a fourth-down punt. Ask God for His plans not ours.
  
  
• Is it consistent with the Word of God? With resourcing abounding, there is no excuse for not researching the issue.
  
  
• Can I do it and still be a positive Christian witness? Would I watch this show or do this activity if Jesus was here?
  
  
• Will the Lord be glorified? Am I seeking the glory of man or the glory of God? Those sent from God glorify Him.
  
  
• Am I acting responsibly? Seek to develop your life and message and God will develop your ministry.
  
  
• Is it reasonable? God expects us to think – God operates through your mind (1 Corinthians 14:20)
  
  
• Does a realistic opportunity exist? If opportunity exists and all other factors align, step out in faith.
  
  
• Are unbiased, spiritually-sensitive associates in agreement? Your advisors need to ask hard questions.
  
  
• Do I have a sanctified desire? Is this a desire to satisfy a lust of the flesh or see the Kingdom established?
  
  
• Do I have a peace about it? God’s presence brings conviction when we are out of His will and peace when in it.
  
  
• From this book: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Spiritually-Deceptive-Bondage-Breaker/dp/0736912207/