Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind

Episode: Looking for God's Will
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Ligonier Ministries (with featured teaching by Dr. R.C. Sproul, guest intro by Nathan W. Bingham)

Episode Overview

The episode centers on one of the most common and pressing questions Christians face: "How can I know the will of God for my life?" Dr. R.C. Sproul addresses both the pitfalls of seeking God's will through questionable methods and the biblical, legitimate ways believers can discern His direction, drawing from personal stories and Scripture. The host, Nathan W. Bingham, frames the topic with relatable life examples and transitions to Dr. Sproul's teaching, which is the heart of the episode.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Desire to Know God's Will

• Christians often long for explicit guidance in pivotal life decisions: career, marriage, school, etc.
• Dr. Sproul observes that the question, "How do you know the will of God for your life?" is among the most frequently asked in his ministry.
  "I get that question more frequently than any other theological or biblical question." (01:55)

2. The "Fleece" Approach and Providential Signs

• Dr. Sproul recounts a story of a devout Christian surgeon who, unable to decide between job offers, asked God for a sign (seeing a buck while hunting as confirmation to move to Wisconsin).
• Dr. Sproul acknowledges such stories are dramatic but admits, "there are a few of us that haven't done that at some time or another." (04:00)
• He shares his own story of seeking God's will in a career decision, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of how a phone call in the middle of the night provided an answer—despite his skepticism about such methods.
• He cautions, "I'm even hesitant telling you this story because I don't think this is the normal way that God leads us." (12:00)

3. The Dangers of Superstitious Methods

• Dr. Sproul describes how people, in desperation, might use the Bible as a magic answer book ("lucky dipping" or opening the Bible at random and pointing to a verse).
  • He rebukes the practice: "You're using the Bible as a Ouija board. I said, that's terrible. You can't read the Bible like that." (17:00)
• He warns against seeking after signs in a way that mirrors practices the Old Testament condemns as magic or divination.

4. God’s Will: Ordinary vs. Extraordinary Providence

• While not denying that God can and sometimes does work through extraordinary providence, Dr. Sproul stresses that these are rare exceptions, not the norm.
  • "Certainly praying for the leading of God is acceptable and pleasing to God...but we call it extraordinary providential direction because that's what it is, extraordinary." (19:30)
• The Christian life is to be shaped principally by faith and trust in God's providence, not a constant expectation of signs and wonders.

5. The Chief Way to Discern God’s Will

• Dr. Sproul emphasizes that the main, reliable way to know God's will is "by poring over the Word of God."
  • "The chief way that we are to discern the will of God is by poring over the word of God." (21:00)
• Christians are called to a sober assessment of talents, gifts, and circumstances within the framework of God’s revealed Word.

6. Recovering the True Meaning of "Vocation"

• Dr. Sproul discusses how “vocation,” from the Latin for "calling," has lost its spiritual significance and become just a synonym for occupation.
  • Historically, vocation implies that God calls each person to particular tasks or ministries, and discovering this call is key to Christian life and perseverance.

7. Biblical Cautions and Encouragements

• The Bible warns against excessive preoccupation and anxiety about the future or resorting to “fortune telling,” which was severely punished in ancient Israel.
• Christians should instead seek a balanced, diligent, and faith-filled process of discerning God’s call by reflecting on Scripture, observing providence, and honestly evaluating their own abilities and desires.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the misuse of Scripture:
  "You're using the Bible as a Ouija board. That's terrible. You can't read the Bible like that." (17:10, Dr. Sproul)
• On seeking signs vs. seeking God’s will faithfully:
  "Sometimes our desire to know the will of God is so intense that we resort to practices like that that I think are seriously displeasing to God. We can become the evil and adulterous generation that seeks after a sign." (20:00, Dr. Sproul)
• On what truly sustains Christian calling:
  "The thing that keeps me going is I keep coming back to something that's very clear to me, that it is my vocation. And if it is my vocation, then I know that that's what I'm supposed to do." (22:00, Dr. Sproul)

Important Timestamps

• 01:55 — Dr. Sproul introduces the core question: How to know God's will.
• 04:00 — The story of the surgeon seeking a "fleece" sign.
• 10:00-14:00 — Dr. Sproul’s personal story of prayer, providence, and a miraculous phone call.
• 16:00-18:00 — The story and critique of “lucky dipping” with Scripture.
• 19:30-21:00 — Teaching on extraordinary providence vs. ordinary faith.
• 21:00-23:00 — The role of vocation and staying grounded in God’s Word.
• Throughout — Multiple examples of discernment gone awry and reminders to stay scriptural.

Structure & Flow

• The episode moves from relatable anecdotes (hunting, career choices, concerned students) to deep theological reflection.
• Dr. Sproul frequently pivots from personal stories to general principles, ensuring the topic remains both practical and biblically grounded.
• The tone is candid, sometimes humorous, and always pastoral, urging believers to be both honest about their struggles and careful in how they seek God’s will.

Takeaways

• Seeking God’s will is a universal Christian concern—but we must resist the temptation to seek shortcuts, signs, or magical answers.
• God can and does work through extraordinary providence, but the ordinary and reliable way to discern His will is through Scripture, prayer, and wise, honest assessment of circumstances.
• True calling (“vocation”) goes deeper than career—it is a lifelong commitment rooted in God’s purpose and His Word.
• The just shall live by faith, and Christians are to walk in obedient trust, confident that God guides those who seek Him diligently.

Next episode preview:
Dr. Sproul will tackle the question, "What have I been called to do?"—continuing the series on discerning God’s will for life’s big decisions.