Charles Stanley - Before You Step Out of the Will of God

In this message, Dr. Stanley conveys an essential challenge from Scripture—will we choose our way, or God’s? A closer look at the lives of Old and New Testament saints reveals the painful consequences of choosing less than His best. Disobedience carries a high price, but the blessings of obedience are without number.

God has spoken very clearly in His Word regarding His will for our lives. In addition, He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us discern what He desires and to enable us to obey Him. However, we must each decide whether we are going to follow Him or go our own way.

Life at its best can only be experienced by living according to God’s will because He alone knows what is best. At times we may question why the Lord allows certain difficulties and struggles in one person’s life, while another may never have to go through such trials. From an earthly perspective, afflictions may not look like the best plan, but God alone knows what He desires to accomplish in each person’s life through various situations. However, when someone follows the Lord obediently in difficult circumstances, He is able to accomplish amazing things in that person’s life. God promises to work out every event for the good of those who obey Him.

In contrast, those who live outside God’s will reject the best possible life, which only He can offer. Although they think they are choosing a good course of action since it promises to give them what they want, they end up paying a costly price for their disobedience to almighty God.

Many people will not discover this truth until later in life, but it is never too late to submit to the Lord. The past cannot be changed, but God can forgive and change the direction of the life of anyone who turns to Him in repentance. All believers have the Holy Spirit within them who transforms their thoughts, habits, and way of life to help them live obediently according to God’s will.