Discerning God’s Will: Following the Spirit Amid Conflicting Voices
- Jack Selcher
- Sep 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Summary
When guidance from others conflicts, God’s Word defines His will, and the Holy Spirit gives a persistent inner direction that never contradicts Scripture. Feelings and well-meaning advice can mislead, but God’s leading remains steady. Paul’s journey to Jerusalem shows obedience despite danger, opposition, and suffering. True discernment requires listening to God above all voices, embracing risk, and valuing faithfulness to His will over personal comfort or safety.
God’s Word and the Spirit’s Inner Guidance
How do you deal with conflicting guidance from others? God's word spells out what He wants you to be. The Holy Spirit within you guides you into the specifics of God’s will.
The Role of a Persistent Sense of Direction
He gives you a persistent impression of what you ought to do. The keyword is persistent.
When Advice Conflicts with God’s Leading
Feelings can mislead you. So can well-intentioned advisors. A persistent sense of what you ought to do is the needle of God’s inner compass. That leading never contradicts His word.
Paul’s Compulsion by the Spirit
Acts 20-21 describe Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there” (Acts 20:22 NIV).
What I call a persistent sense of what we ought to do, Paul calls being compelled by the Spirit. If you resist God’s pull, you will be uncomfortable. I know from experience. When did that happen to you?
Obedience That Embraces Risk and Suffering
The Spirit informed Paul of the afflictions awaiting him in Jerusalem. God’s will can include ill-treatment. Serving Despite Fear Requires Lovingly Taking Uncomfortable Risks.
People often oppose God’s will. Sometimes, with good intentions. On his way to Jerusalem, Paul stopped in Tyre. The Spirit revealed to some believers that there was danger ahead for Paul.
They interpreted this to mean Paul should not go to Jerusalem. Paul did not argue. He just pressed on toward Jerusalem.
Paul’s next stop was Caesarea. Agabus, a prophet, foretold Paul’s arrest and imprisonment. He did not try to convince Paul to change his plans.
Listening to God Above All Others
You may seek guidance from Christian relatives and friends. Their wisdom can be helpful. You must listen, however, to God’s voice, once you have heard it. Paul did.
Finally, the Christians in Caesarea, including Luke, the human author of Acts, said, “The Lord’s will be done” (Acts 21:14 NIV).
In Jerusalem, James and the elders feared a split was developing between Jewish and Gentile believers. They challenged Paul to identify openly with the nation of Israel. He went the second mile for Christian unity.
Asian Jews saw Paul in the Temple. They stirred up the people against him with unsubstantiated charges. The crowd would have killed Paul if the Roman soldiers had not intervened. Somehow, Paul saw this as a marvelous chance to preach. Accomplishing God’s will was more important to him than his safety.
The Inner Compass That Enables Discerning God's Will
Boats once had a compass fixed to the deck. They had another on the mast where a sailor had to climb to inspect it. The iron vessel often affected the compass on the deck, but not the compass above. The captain steered by the compass above. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,541 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,361 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.
Comments