God's Will

So the weekend of July 4th I'm teaching on God's Will for you life. It's a topic that I've talked about once before, but it was just one teaching in a series on God's will (at Newsong). Dan Hanna has been inspirational to me in the pursuit of finding solid ground on this issue as has a book called "Decision Making and the Will of God" by Dr. Garry Friesen.

But the greatest wake up call was when three people claimed to know God's will and in one week each made him look like a liar. Here are the situations:
1. This one really great guy found himself in a bit of trouble with the law over a minor mistermeaner charge. The week before his court date he passed a church sign that read "God Will Take Care Of It For You." And he felt that this was inner leading of the Holy Spirit saying "you won't get punished with jail time for this." He then refused the help of an attorney and consequently spent ten days in the county jail.
2. A wife of a man in our church thought that God was speaking to her. Her husband was out of work and really wanted a job at a certain business. His wife told him not to apply to any other places because she knew that it was God's will that he work there. He didn't get the job and they were left discouraged and feeling abandoned.
3. A single mom, who was a new believer, decided that it was God's will that she start dating this guy who was not a Christ follower in order to "save him." We knew this was a bad decision and told her so. In the end he just ended up being a jerk. He isn't saved and she isn't dating him now.

I just think it's dangerous to think of God's will in this way, as a target that we are supposed to hit. I'm more inclined as I read through scripture that God has already given us his moral will (the Bible) and that is what we are supposed to follow. Beyond that we have freedom to choose. I think though it's easy to wave responsibility off, like a mad hornet, and want God to lead you in every "important" non-moral decision that we have to make.

The argument is that the Holy Spirit's whole job is to LEAD US INTO TRUTH. Which I agree with. It's just HOW the Holy Spirit leads. It seems that each time scripture talks about "being led by the spirit" or 'walking in the Sprit" etc... that it relates in some way to God's moral will, the bible, the law whatever... But doesn't seem to be pointing toward making big decisions about which wife you should marry. Of course there are a couple of exceptions to this like when God TOLD Hosea to marry Gomer. But it seems that when God speaks in this way he is really clear that it is Him that is speaking. You aren't blindfolded throwing darts at a moving tartget which happens to be God's will. Sometimes we mix up IMPRESSIONS with GOD SPEAKING. They are different. And you will know for sure when God speaks to you (if he ever does in that way).
OK, thoughts anyone? What do you think the leading of the Holy Spirit is? Bring it on.