7 Steps for Discerning Situational Guidance

Here's an outline of the seven steps "that should be taken if we would be led to situational decisions that are wise and right" listed in the second to last chapter of J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom's exceptional book, Guard Us, Guide Us. (This book will appear in December on my favorite books of 2008 list).1. Survey the situation.2. Separate the questions that the situation raises.3. Search the Scriptures with regard to the situation.4. Suspect yourself in relation to the situation.

"Over and above our built-in temperamental weaknesses that may make us too impulsive or too negative in assessing possible courses of action, Satan will constantly play on our pride, our fears, our greed, our anger, our inner hurts, our passion to conform and our unwillingness to stand out, our overall slackness and thoughtlessness as disciples, and any other quality that gives him a handle so as to lead us to foolish decisions."

5. Supplicate humbly about the situation.6. Spend unhurried time in deciding how to handle the situation.

"Discerning and planning are processes that always take time, and second and third thoughts often exceed first thoughts in wisdom. The expectation that guidance will be given instantaneously, as soon as we ask for it, is unbiblical and superstitious. What is true is that God will make his will clear to us by the time we have to commit ourselves in decisive decisions; but that is something rather different."

7. Submit absolutely to God in relation to the situation and with it to all other situations.