Group guidance

A group of believers met together and dedicated significant time to pray, fast, and worship. The Bible says, ‘While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”’ (Acts 13:2 NIV) How did they know the Spirit told them this? The passage doesn’t say. It may have been a dramatic moment. Or it may be that later, looking back, they recognised that the Spirit had guided them. But what is certain is that they received guidance from God together.

When it comes to guidance, one of the mistakes we make is called ‘narrow framing’; we miss the whole range of options God has before us because of our limited thinking. Sometimes our questions are wrong. If we’re seeking God and not getting an answer from Him, then it’s wise to change the question. Instead of asking if we should buy a motorbike or not, it’s better to ask, ‘What do You want me to use this money for?’ We tend to suffer from confirmation bias and that means we’ll only ask people we know will agree with us and confirm our already existing biases. We hang out with people who think like we do and we watch programs that won’t challenge our beliefs or the way we behave.

Isaiah told about people, ‘who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy the truth to us. Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.”’ (Isaiah 30:10 NASB)

In seeking guidance, operate according to the H.O.W. principle. In other words, be Honest, Open, Willing.