Part 3 – Where NOT to Look for God’s Will
If we can only know God’s will through His Word, then we need to be careful about seeking guidance from the wrong places.
Unfortunately, many well-meaning Christians fall into dangerous traps when trying to discern God’s will.
1. Looking for Signs Instead of Scripture
Ancient pagans believed they could discover the will of the gods through divination—reading omens, consulting spirits, or interpreting signs. While most Christians would reject those practices outright, many unknowingly fall into the same mindset when they say:
“God, show me a sign!”
God doesn’t need to give you a sign—He’s already given you His Word.
2 Peter 1:3 reminds us:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.”
Another dangerous form of divination is automatic writing, where people sit in silence, waiting for God to “speak” directly to them. Many don’t realize that books like Jesus Calling were written using this practice, which has its roots in New Age mysticism. Seeking guidance outside of God’s Word leads to deception, not truth.
2. Chasing Secret Knowledge (Gnosticism)
Gnosticism is the belief that spiritual enlightenment comes through hidden knowledge rather than through the clear teaching of Scripture.
Today, this takes different forms—whether through books promising to reveal “forgotten truths” or mystical experiences that claim to give a deeper understanding of God’s will.
Some even teach that a person’s ethnicity or background gives them special insight into God’s truth (Voddie Baucham calls this “ethnic gnosticism”)—but Scripture is clear: God’s truth is for all who seek Him, and it is found in His Word alone.
At the core, both divination and gnosticism are a rejection of God’s sufficiency. They tell us that Scripture isn’t enough. But if we believe that, we’re calling God a liar.
The Final Takeaway
God’s will for your life isn’t complicated—it’s a call to obedience and holiness.
✔ You don’t have to wait for a mystical experience.
✔ You don’t have to search for hidden secrets.
✔ You don’t have to ask for a sign.
You have everything you need in Christ and in His Word.
So the real question is: Are you pursuing holiness?
Will you trust in God’s revealed will and live in obedience to Him?
If so, then you are right where God wants you to be.
Tim Carter graduated from Southwest Baptist University in 2010 with a B.S. in Economics and Finance. He began serving at Cornerstone Baptist Church in June of that same year as the Student and Administrative Pastor, a role he held full-time until 2019. During that time, Tim transitioned to serve as a Lay Elder and Executive Pastor, continuing his dedication to Cornerstone in a volunteer capacity. In 2022, he returned to full-time ministry as the Executive Pastor.
Tim holds a Master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Columbia Evangelical Seminary and has actively engaged in defending the Christian faith through moderated debates, academic presentations, and apologetics conferences. He enjoys deep theological discussions and interacting with cults and speculative theologies, driven by a passion for equipping believers and fostering a deeper understanding of the Christian worldview.