Choosing God Over “Just Going with the Flow”
Let’s be honest—life moves fast, and it’s easy to just do what everyone else is doing or follow whatever feels right in the moment. Our culture often shouts at us: “Trust your feelings!” or “Do what makes you happy!” But have you ever stopped to think if there’s more to life than just listening to your gut or letting the crowd decide what you should do? According to the Bible, there is. And it’s not just about following a bunch of rules. It’s about discovering a life that’s deeper, more meaningful, and more connected to God—the One who made you and knows you best.
Going With the Flow: What Does It Really Mean?
Going with the flow sounds easy. You don’t have to think much about your choices—just do what comes naturally, or do what you see everyone else doing. It’s like floating down a river with no paddle; you trust the current to take you wherever it wants. But here’s the thing: not all rivers lead to a good place. Sometimes, just drifting along can take us places we never wanted to go.
In real life, “going with the flow” often means living based on your feelings, impulses, or what culture says is okay. The Bible calls this living according to the “flesh”—not just your body, but your old habits, your selfish desires, or the influence of the world around you. It’s about letting whatever happens, happen, instead of making intentional choices that reflect God’s desires.
What Does God’s Plan Look Like?
God’s plan isn’t some secret code that only pastors or super-spiritual people can figure out. It’s practical and available to anyone who wants it. God’s plan is about living a life that reflects love, truth, kindness, and purity. It’s about choosing to follow His guidance, even when it’s hard or unpopular.
In Romans 8:5-14, the Bible explains that living by the flesh, or just doing what feels right, actually separates us from God. It says our minds, when set on the flesh, are opposed to God—they pull us away from what He wants, and we miss out on His best for us. But when we set our minds on what the Spirit (God’s guidance) wants, we find real life and peace.
Why Does This Matter?
You might wonder, “What’s the big deal? Why not just live by what feels good?” The simple answer is: because feelings and trends change, but God’s wisdom doesn’t. If we only do what comes naturally—to respond in anger, to act selfishly, or to follow everyone else’s lead—we can end up hurting ourselves and the people around us. We may think we’re in control, but really, we’re being controlled by things that don’t have our best interests at heart.
God doesn’t want us to miss out on the good life He designed for us. When we let Him lead, we find a life that’s bigger and fuller than anything we could have made for ourselves. We begin to experience true freedom, purpose, and peace.
Destructive Behaviors Don’t Belong
If you look around, you’ll see a lot of things that don’t line up with God’s heart—actions that break relationships, cause pain, or keep people stuck in destructive patterns. The Bible is clear: these actions don’t have a place in the life God wants for us.
It’s not about being judgmental or perfect. It’s about choosing better, for ourselves and for others. When we say no to things that hurt and yes to things that heal, we help ourselves and the world around us. Over time, as more people make these choices, we start to see real change—a shift in culture, a “revival,” where goodness and hope spread.
Walking in Purity (And What That Really Means)
Purity isn’t just about avoiding bad stuff. It’s about living with a clean heart and clear mind, making choices that reflect God’s love and truth. No one gets it right all the time, but God invites us to keep moving in the right direction.
Walking in purity means turning away from things you know aren’t good for you—gossip, jealousy, anger, dishonesty, or anything that pulls you away from what’s good. Instead, you turn toward forgiveness, patience, kindness, and honesty. It’s not about being perfect, but about letting God’s love shape your decisions, one day at a time.
Change Starts in Your Mind
Have you ever noticed how your thoughts affect everything you do? The Bible says our minds need a makeover—that we should be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” This means allowing God to shape the way we see things, think about things, and react to things.
Instead of letting old habits or the latest trends run your life, you start to let God’s Spirit lead the way. This doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice, prayer, and sometimes getting it wrong before you get it right. But as your mind changes, your actions follow, and life starts to look different—in a good way.
· Take a pause before reacting. When you feel angry or stressed, ask God for help before you act or speak. You’ll be surprised how often He gives you peace or wisdom.
· Check your influences. What music, shows, or social media accounts are you letting shape your thoughts? Are they helping you follow God’s plan, or just leading you with the crowd?
· Talk to God daily. Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy. Just talk to Him about what’s going on, and ask for His help to make good choices.
· Get into the Bible. Even just a few verses a day can help you see what God cares about, and how to follow Him.
· Surround yourself with people who encourage you. We all need friends who will cheer us on to make good choices and who will remind us of what’s true.
Living the Word, Not Just Talking About It
It’s one thing to talk about faith, and another thing to live it. God isn’t looking for people who just know a bunch of Bible facts; He wants people who actually try to live out His love, patience, and truth.
This means making choices that reflect God’s heart, even when it’s not the popular thing to do. Maybe it means forgiving someone who hurt you, standing up for someone who’s being left out, or choosing honesty when it would be easier to lie. Every day gives us chances to walk it out.
How to Start Following God’s Plan Today
You don’t need a big, dramatic moment to start. Begin right where you are. Here are a few simple steps:
· Be honest with yourself and God. Admit where you’re just going with the flow and where you want things to change.
· Ask for God’s help. You don’t have to do this alone. God promises to help anyone who asks.
· Start small. Pick one area—maybe how you handle frustration or the way you talk to people—and try to make choices that reflect God’s love.
· Stay connected. Stay in touch with God, and find others who want to follow Him, too.
You won’t get it perfect. None of us do. But that’s not the point. God offers grace and new starts every day. When you choose His plan, even in small ways, you’re stepping into a life that’s bigger, better, and more beautiful than any current could carry you.
So, next time you feel pressure to just “go with the flow,” pause and ask: Is this really leading me where I want to go? Or is there a better way—the way God is inviting me to follow, one step at a time?
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 