Theology and Practical Application, part 3 – God’s Life in our Wills – Proverbs 3:22

So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.  Proverbs 3:22

We are looking at how God gives us both instruction in theological truths about His ways and Himself and how these are used to make practical decisions in life.  Today, we will look at how God gives life to our souls – and how this is manifest in God working in our will to choose His way instead of another way.

Consider how God, who gives us knowledge is not just placing information into our minds, but is seeking to influence our wills as well.  As we make choices - willing ourselves forward in life - those choices are bathed in a wonderful sauce that has both sound theology as well as sound practice as ingredients.  Every choice has behind it the Scriptures and the ways of God as its foundation.  Rather than shooting from the proverbial hip, we find ourselves shooting from "the Script."  The Script I speak of is the Word of God - the guide for our lives that has been given to us by inspiration of the Holy Spirit - and now which is being taught to us daily by the same wonderful Holy Spirit as well.

Consider for a moment a scenario where you are facing a decision.  Imagine with me that in the midst of making that decision that a thought comes into your mind to act.  As you ponder that course of action suddenly another voice enters the picture.  The first thought may be appealing to your flesh - it may have all the benefits of the world attached to it - and it may even have the approval of someone you desire to impress.  But as this second voice or thought comes into the picture - you are instructed that "willing" that way would be contrary to God's Word.  Making that choice would in effect be choosing sin.  Now you have a choice - a true choice between two things - God's way or another way.  Which will you choose? 

This is how God's Word and God's wisdom works in your will.  God said to Israel through Moses that God was setting before them life and death.  This simply meant that they could choose the ways of the world - the ways of Egypt and Canaan where they were headed - or - they could choose God's ways which had been clearly taught to them in the Law.  Moses said that a way of blessing or cursing was right before their eyes.  Remember that often the way of sin is pleasant at first.  It might taste good, feel good, look good - but later it is NOT GOOD!  God's ways may involve not feeling so great at first - it even may involve saying, "No" to a desire that is strong within you.  But God's work in your will is to fortify you with a knowledge of Him and His ways that will enable you to say, "No" to sin and "Yes" to righteousness.  You will find life and power to make the proper choice.  But, one thing to remember is that in the end - even though knowledge is there, even though a direction is made clear, and even though power is offered to complete the deal - you still must choose! 

It is a wonderful thing to see that God is wanting to work in your will.  His sound wisdom and practical application will come to you as the Holy Spirit teaches you.  He will come to offer instruction to you - and that instruction will inveritably involve a choice.  You must choose His way - and until you do the fullness of that power will not be released.  But know this - in doing this God has freed you to make a choice - and to be blessed as you choose His way.  You are not in bondage to sin or self in these moments.  You will choose - and He is working to help you choose sound wisdom to make that choice - and practical instruction to know how to carry it out.  What a wonderful thing to experience God in this way!  What a wonderful opportunity to do what is good and right.  In those moments dear saints let me give you a biblical admonition - just do it!