Christians: How do you determine whether you decided something on your own or whether God gave you the answer?

Question

If you can't tell, wouldn't Occam's Razor dictate that you made it yourself since that's less complicated?

Answer 1

By whether the answer is consistent with scripture.

Answer 2

You pray about it. You read the Word of God and He (God) reveals himself to you (your conscience) and you take it from there. The Spirit of God is the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Read for yourself the Word in 1Corinthians 2 where Paul is teaching the New Christians in Corinth. We are the same way today. People are people and we do the same things differently(individual), just in different bodies and a different era.
In Proverbs 3:5,6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. God is not like man. He is not limited!
If we/you decide it on our own the outcome will be disastrous because we can't see the future, only God can! Most people choose their way, even Christians. Seasoned Christians (older saints) hear and decide better.

Answer 3

The few times when I can definitively say that God took a hand in guiding me on the path, the way was obvious. I could not have predicted it, nor did I plan to place myself to be in a position to capitalize on these opportunities, but when there came time for a choice to be made that would affect my life forever, the answer was lit up like the Vegas strip. It was like God was saying "GO THIS WAY, STUPID!"

Answer 4

mmm... also it could be an evil spirit whispering to you... thats why they say double check with the Word first!

EDIT: I'm not sure how Occam's Razor is applicable in this scenario... Neither is inherently "more complex" than the other. Assuming its from God does presuppose a god's existence, but if that's already assumed then either choice is on the same plain.

Answer 5

Sometimes God gives you the answer by helping you to decide things on your own. Make sure that you pick the things that will glorify God the most or that appear the most logical without considering personal gain. And if it Glorifies God, is logical and you gain from it, then Praise the Lord!

Answer 6

Three ways:

First of all..what my flesh wants to do is in direct opposition to what God would want. So if the 'answer' Im getting sounds good to my flesh...its probably not from God.
Secondly, I reflect to see if that 'answer' gives God the glory or it gives ME the glory. When all is said and done, will it be obvious that I acheived that thing myself..or is God's hand undeniably on it?
Third...what requires the most faith? If the answer doesnt stretch my faith...to believe in God, to trust God, to cast my care to Him...then its not God inspired...

Answer 7

It's that stoned-on-religion deal. When you're high on that stuff, whatever feeling happens inside of you just becomes God's word.

Every thumbs down will just prove that I've struck a nerve among some of the stoned. Every thumbs up proves that someone has finally recovered from religion and sees life for what it really is.

Answer 8

To me, that's all part of trusting in Him. Pray to Him for guidance, put your whole mind and heart before Him, and all the circumstances of your problem, and then make your own decisions, always *trusting* Him to direct your steps. I find it helpful to sort of "frame" my prayer in a mindset of what Jesus prayed at the Mount of Olives: "Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine, be done." When I make my supplications to Him, I always preface them with, "If it can be done in Your will, Lord,..."
Hope this helps. God bless you!

Answer 9

Well very good question, Jesus said My sheep hear my voice, and another they will not follow. When God gives you a answer you will always be able to back it with scripture

Answer 10

The last time I asked for God's help at the racetrack I found out He isn't a very good handicapper.