Our guidance system (part 2)

In part I we introduced the idea that God has equipped us with a “guidance system” in order to help us navigate our way through life’s many challenges and decisions. We also established that the “primary circuit” of this internal guidance system is made up of our own desires, thoughts, and will. This really shouldn’t surprise us, since we have been made in the image and likeness of God, and are therefore designed to function like God, who works “Works all things after the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11)

Even though God designed us in such a way that our own wants, thoughts and will serve as the “primary circuit” of our guidance system, the unfortunate fact is that this primary circuit had some major flaws added to it. As a result of sin entering the human race, our heart, mind, and will have been corrupted by the selfish and rebellious nature of Satan. If you have any doubt of this, consider the following statements about sinful mankind:

(Genesis 6:5)

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

(Jeremiah 17:9)

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick.”

Because of this sinful, corrupted nature, mankind could no longer rely solely upon the “primary circuit” of his guidance system. So, in order to counteract this fallen nature, God gave us a written copy of his will – originally in the form of the 10 commandments, and now in a the far greater form of the entire Bible. Through His written word God has given us a detailed, albeit limited “map” of His own nature – the same Holy nature that was in us before the fall – to give light to our internal guidance system that had become darkened by sin. We can see this clearly in the following verses:

(Psalm 119:105)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

(Proverbs 6:23,22)

“The commandment is a lamp and the teaching is a light. …When you walk about, they will guide you.”

(Psalm 119:9)

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”

The word of God contains many principles, promises, commandments, statutes, and stories – all of which are designed to “teach us his ways” so that we might “walk in his paths.” The more time we spend in God’s word, the more we see what God is really like, how he operates, and how he desires us to live our lives. Pilots go through many hours of training before ever becoming proficient at flying an airplane. In the same way, time spent in the word of God is “training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) and it is through the training of His word that God “guides us in the paths of righteousness.” (Psalm 23:3)

In a way, the written word of God is the “secondary circuit” of our guidance system, which God gave us to counteract the damage that was done to our “primary circuit.”