OK, time to get back on track with my series on commonly misunderstood and misinterpreted Biblical passages. I was reminded of one by something I heard earlier today. In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon twice asks God to give him a supernatural sign to confirm what He has told him to do (might help to read Judges 6 to see what's going on). Some people take this example to teach that we should do a similar thing today- ask God for a supernatural sign or some type of specific guidance, usually when making a decision. However, I think this is not the right conclusion to draw from these verses and doesn't present a proper model for decision making.
Look at what Gideon is doing here: he's basically doubting God and exhibiting unbelief. God had already revealed His will to Gideon; he is asking God to confirm what He already told him (and already gave him another sign). Hardly the example that I want to follow. Jesus condemns people for asking for a sign and commands us to live by faith. It doesn't seem to me that asking God to give a sign like this is faith; it seems more like treating God as a fortune teller.
This viewpoint also often leads to interpreting open & closed doors as signs from God. It goes something like this: I didn't know which job to pick, so when I got an offer of one job, I took that as a sign that it was God's will. That doesn't really add up either. Now, I think that open & closed doors can be one factor in making a decision- obviously we need to be aware of which opportunities are available to use at any given time. However, to take every open and closed door as a sign from God and basing a decision on that doesn't make sense. In the Bible, we see how Paul took advantage of one open door and did not take advantage of another open door (1 Cor 16:8-9, 2 Cor 2:12-13). So, an open door or closed door doesn't necessarily show us the will of God: we must look at each opportunity in light of Scripture to make a wise, God-honoring decision.
-JRO
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In response to viewing an open/closed door as a sign from God: In regards to Eric's presentation, I think you missed something. He said that when he decided to switch jobs he 1. prayed about it and 2. responded accordingly based on the opportunities that were presented to him. God desires a relationshp with each one of us - how intimate that relationship becomes is up to us and how much we are willing to invest in it. As such, if a person is engaged in a very intimate relationship with God and desires His guidance about a particular job, then I think God will advise by opening or closing certain doors, especially when the decision between job A and job B can't be decided biblically (maybe both are sound).
We can't always just open up the Bible to find out exactly which choice to make - and yet I still think God wants to be involved in those decisions as part of being in a relationship with us. If we truly want HIs guidance, I think He's glad to show us, for instance, which job is best for us (among several that are biblically sound). I think the way Eric went about it was perfectly sound.
When Eric spoke about casting the fleece last night I was reminded of advice from my mother. When faced with a tough decision once, she advised me to cast three fleeces. Basically, I prayed and asked God to show me in His word some guidance on three different nights. Based on what I was shown I made a decision that I felt to be in His will. Perhaps this is superstitious or perhaps it is a way to seek God's guidance through His word. I'm not sure honestly. I disagreed with a lot of the theology last night but not with the general message. So perhaps we can get to the same place by different paths especially if we are predestined to (wink wink).
Maybe I did misunderstand what he meant in talking about that; I also didn't mean to single out what he said. I think it's awesome that he (and other believers) are interested in making decisions and living lives in a way that honors God and reflects their faith.
And I do beleive that open and closed doors can play a role in making a decision- like you said, we respond according to what opportunites are presented. My problem is with relying on open/closed doors as a sign and the primary factor in a decision.
I think God does want to be involved in our decision-making process and we should seek Him in this way. However, I don't think God's guidance equates to telling us which option to pick. I think it's more about seeking to renew our minds so that we desire the things that God desires for us and changing our motives, attitudes, desires, etc. so that they center around God and living according to His will. I think I've posted this on here before, but I will again: we often spend so much time worrying about what (what job, what person to marry, etc.) when I think God is more concerned with how (how can I be an amabassador for Christ in my job, how can I treat my girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse in a God-honoring way, etc.).
I'm excited about our August study- decision making & the will of God; should be fun!
About the fleece comment- I think if you were in the Word and your decision didn't violate Scripture, then it would have been in the will of God.
I think there is some truth to the fact that we can differ in how we make decisions in our lives. Although, I think on some level we do share similar framework, whether we realize it or not. For example, I certainly hope that the first place Christians go when making a decision is to the Bible. Then, I think wisdom and our desires certainly play into the decision as well, regardless of whether we believe in finding one specific "dot" as God's will.
We've been agreeing way too much lately, Jamie. It makes me sad that I missed the predestination talk and with it a good opportunity to argue with you. Not that we haven't discussed it a million times before though, so I guess it's okay. As far as the fleece thing goes, I didn't hear the presentation obviously, so I have no idea how he meant it. However, I would say that using a commonly misused phrase like that at all isn't a good idea. Unless you get into the story and explain that Gideon wasn't right to test God that way and that it's not meant to be an example of what we should do, why would you even talk about "putting out a fleece"?
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