The phrase ‘I think’ is the prefix to many decisions gone wrong. Whilst thinking in itself is not the problem, as believers, we have been endowed with the mind of Christ. We have the advantage of knowing God’s mind which makes us less prone to guessing whether or not what we are about to do is in line with His will for our lives.
If this is the case, how come we have made many bad decisions? Many that we have regretted. Like leaving a job prematurely for example or getting into a relationship that cost us our mental health or even starting a business that left us bankrupt or moving to a new state or country only to do worse than we did? In retrospect, we even convinced ourselves that it was God’s will or that we heard him approve of the decision we made.
Many times when we think God is trying to do or say something, we are usually wrong. Most of the time it’s not based on a spiritual principle, but rather on a lack of understanding of God’s nature, character, and ability. Understanding God`s mind is not based on a hunch or feelings. It goes deeper than that.
This was me once. All my life God had clearly ordered my steps. However, before I got married I got into relationships that almost destroyed me. one after the other I saw red flags that I chose to overlook. I somehow managed to convince myself that the relationship was right. From the passive aggressive behavior to the inferiority complex to just being worlds apart I found myself unrecognizable.
After that, I made a vow with God never to date unless the person was my husband. Evidently, I had made all poor decisions in the area of relationships and it had not gotten me anywhere closer to who God intended me to be. The lesson I learned was, just because all pointers are directing you in one direction, does not mean it is God’s will. Just because it’s ‘faith-based’ or they are Christian doesn’t mean it’s what’s on God’s mind for your life.
What really is God’s mind?
‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. ‘ Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV
God’s mind is not rocket science. It’s His thoughts, desires, plans, and purpose for all of creation. Man was created to depend on God. Therefore, His intention is not to leave us in the dark or to confuse us. He will not reveal everything but just enough for you to know the steps to take. He can show you what is going to happen but not give specifics on how and when it will happen. Sometimes He can even choose not to reveal why certain things are happening. Why is this the case? God is still sovereign.
Can we know the mind of God?
When man was created, God created him in his image. And we are told in Genesis 2 that God breathed into man and he became a living soul. This means before the fall of man, we had the resemblance of God’s mind, will, and emotions. This was later restored through Jesus Christ. God breathed his very nature, character, and ability into us so that we can live as gods on this earth. He created man to walk in dominion over all the earth. He even says that the heavens belong to Him but the highest heavens he has given to man!
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 KJV says ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. ‘ That’s great news. This means you can know God’s plans and will for your life without second-guessing anything. So we can stop thinking God is trying to teach us a lesson or trying to warn us, we are sure.
How to know God’s mind
We live a life based on the limitations of what we see, hear and experience and take that as our truth. If we choose this path instead of walking by faith we are bound to think the wrong thoughts that will lead to the wrong decisions.
Because God has revealed Himself through His Son, His word, His Spirit, and also through personal dealings we have with Him, knowing what is on God’s mind and how He speaks should not be guesswork. God instructs us in His word to trust in Him with all of our hearts and not to lean on our own understanding. Not to say we can’t think for ourselves, no. It’s because of the limitations of our physical man. Therefore, the need to have faith in Him.
This faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Through His Word, our faith grows. And through it, we are able to have a desperate dependency on God knowing that our understanding can deceive us. This is true to the example Jesus gives us. He spoke the words of God and did what he saw God do. Not once are we told that Jesus assumed what God was trying to say or do. He has a surety in what he did, which explains the tremendous impact he has even today. That koinonia with God is what every believer needs.
What does God think of me today?
In today’s world, there is so much external influence that determines people’s lives. This has caused many to deviate from God’s plan for them. Many even suffer at the hands of societal standards that are not only hard to keep up, but also destructive. this is why hearing God for yourself is important.
Everything about what God thinks of you, and what’s on His mind about your life is found in His Word and presence. Take time to search for scriptures and pray about your situation today. So next time you think ‘God is trying to do or say something, run it by His character, which is all revealed in His Word.
