I had a counselling session with a young man the other day. It was on the issue of marriage. He said, “God told me I can marry any of these two sisters.” That statement rang a bell in my spirit; “does God suggest or instruct?” I thought to myself; “it’s either you have heard God or you did not hear Him.”
Friend, you need to understand divine leading in marriage and life generally. God instructs, not suggests. Never mistake a divine instruction for a suggestion. God is not only your friend, He is also your Lord and Father. He does not suggest, He instructs. The fact that His communication is suggestive does not mean you should take it as such.
God does not tell us what we might do but what we must do (Acts 9:6). Until the voice of God to you becomes a commandment, you are not yet ready to fulfil God’s highest purpose on your life. Paul regarded God’s vision as a commandment to which he must not be disobedient (Acts 26:19). The fact that God leads you gently does not mean you should trivialise it.
God does not drive us, He leads us. He reveals His will to us and allows us to decide to go on that path (Deuteronomy 30:19). God’s commandments are not burdensome because He does not lord it over us even though He is our Lord (1 John 5:3).
When you see God’s instructions as commandments, it would position your heart to see the implications of your obedience or disobedience on your destiny. You cannot punish disobedience when your own obedience is not complete (2 Corinthians 10:6). As Jesus submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we also should do likewise; seeing Him as Lord, not only saviour (Luke 4:1).
Learn to see divine instructions for what they are. Don’t be deceived into downplaying them. Like Jesus, see your life’s assignment as a commandment (John 9:4). Are there nudging or instructions of the scriptures that you have unknowingly jettisoned? Respond appropriately and promptly today, and it shall be well with you! Amen!
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria