Guidance, need for God's

God's guidance is needed because people are naturally ignorant and rebellious and there are many who lead others astray.

The need to know and do the will of God

Jeremiah 10:23 See also Ezra 7:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:20–21; 1 Peter 2:15; 1 John 2:17; Matthew 6:10, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 12:50 parallels Mark 3:35, Luke 8:21; John 7:17

I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

The concern of Jesus Christ to do the will of God

John 6:38 See also John 4:34

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.

By themselves people are ignorant of the right way in life

Proverbs 14:12 See also Ecclesiastes 6:12, Ecclesiastes 8:7; Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 59:10 blindness the result of disobedience; Matthew 9:36; 1 Peter 2:25

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Warnings against false guidance

False prophets and teachers

Jeremiah 23:25–27; Luke 11:52 parallel Matthew 23:13 See also Isaiah 9:16; Jeremiah 23:13, Jeremiah 27:9–10; Micah 3:5; 2 Peter 2:1–3; Jude 1:17–19

“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds? They suppose the dreams that they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through the worship of Baal.

Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

False shepherds and guides

Jeremiah 50:6; Matthew 24:24 See also Isaiah 3:12; Jeremiah 10:21, Jeremiah 23:1–2; Ezekiel 34:4–6; Matthew 15:14; Acts 20:30

My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Idols and mediums

Zechariah 10:2 See also Leviticus 19:31; Isaiah 41:22–24; Amos 2:4; Habakkuk 2:19

For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

Other agencies

1 Kings 11:3; 2 Kings 21:9; 2 Chronicles 21:11; Proverbs 16:29; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Revelation 12:9, Revelation 18:23

Despite knowing God's will, sinners still rebel against him

Jeremiah 18:11–12 See also Isaiah 30:9–11; Jeremiah 6:16, Jeremiah 42:5–6, Jeremiah 42:19–21; 2 Timothy 4:3

Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am planning a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways, and correct your ways and deeds.’ But they will reply, ‘It is hopeless. We will follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’”

The adverse consequences of false guidance and disobedience

1 Chronicles 10:13–14 See also Job 5:12; Psalm 33:10–11, Psalm 146:3–4; Isaiah 19:3, Isaiah 30:1; Jeremiah 19:7; Hosea 11:5–7; Hebrews 3:7–11; Psalm 95:7–11

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.