How can I know whether God is telling me to do something?

TL;DR:

Knowing God’s Word, seeking Him in prayer, and seeking out godly counsel help us know when God is telling us to do something. When God isn’t clearly telling us to do something, we can still move forward, seeking to honor Him with our decision.

what does the bible say?

To discern if God is telling you to do something, begin by knowing His Word, as it serves as a guide for understanding His will (Psalm 119:105). Besides God’s Word, prayer and godly counsel help clarify His guidance (James 1:5; Proverbs 15:22). Often, God's direction becomes clear through circumstances, where He prepares the way and opens doors to confirm His leading (Proverbs 16:9; Genesis 24:12-27). If God doesn’t make the next step clear, trust that He will guide you as you make the best decision possible based on His Word, prayer, and wisdom from others (Proverbs 3:5-6; Colossians 3:17). Even when clarity is lacking, seek to honor Him with your decision and trust that He will direct your path as you move forward in faith (Psalm 37:23; Isaiah 30:21).

from the old testament

Seeking God through His Word helps us know if God is telling us to do something. The psalmist declared that God's Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).
God calls His people to meditate on His Word day and night (Joshua 1:8) so they may prosper in the way He directs. Discerning what to do isn’t just about following rules—it’s about walking closely with God, trusting that He will reveal the right steps in His time.
Listening for God's voice in prayer and stillness also helps us discern if God is calling us to do something. God often leads through quiet revelation that aligns with His character and Word (1 Kings 19:11-12).
Moses often inquired of the Lord before making decisions (Exodus 33:11).
God makes our paths straight when we trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
God also reveals His will through wisdom. Proverbs teaches that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) and that we are to seek understanding like hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:3-6).
Wise counsel from other Christians is also important in discerning what God is telling us to do. Proverbs 15:22 observes, "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Through consulting with godly people, God often helps us to discover whether our motives are pure and confirms whether our desires are truly from Him.
God often prepares our circumstances to support the way He is leading (Proverbs 16:9; Isaiah 30:21). The saying, "Where God leads, He also guides," can be a helpful way of considering God's will for your life (Psalm 32:8). For example, if God is leading you to move to a new town, He may put certain people in your path or make connections for the new place to help confirm His leading in a new direction (Genesis 24:12-27).

from the new testament

Scripture reveals that one of the best ways to determine if God is telling us to do something is to see if it is consistent with God's teachings. John 16:13 teaches, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." In other words, God's Spirit will guide us only to choices consistent with what He has already taught as truth.
James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." If we are uncertain of what to do, we are to pray and ask for wisdom from God.

implications for today

When God’s Word aligns with the direction you're sensing, your prayers reflect peace and clarity, godly friends affirm your plans, and circumstances seem to open doors, it's often a sign that God is leading you to move forward (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:5). While we may wish for dramatic signs like a burning bush or an angelic visit, Scripture shows us that even biblical leaders rarely received such direct revelations. More often, God guides through His Spirit, steady prayer, Scripture, wise counsel, and life’s unfolding circumstances (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 15:22; Romans 8:14).

But at times, the next step is not entirely clear. In those moments, rather than feeling paralyzed by uncertainty, we honor God by making the wisest decision possible based on what He has already provided—His Word, prayer, godly counsel, and a heart that desires to please Him (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Trusting God means not only waiting when needed but also moving forward in faith when clarity is limited, confident that He will direct and correct our path as we go (Psalm 37:23; Isaiah 30:21).

understand

Knowing God’s Word helps us understand if He is telling us to do something.
Seeking and listening to God in prayer helps us make wise decisions.
Seeking wisdom and desiring to honor God with our choices is important in knowing if God is leading us to a decision.

reflect

How can you ensure that your understanding of God's Word guides the decisions you make in life?
How can you cultivate a heart that listens closely in prayer and seeks His wisdom in what to do?
What role does seeking godly counsel have in making decisions and discerning what God is telling you to do?

engage

What decision-making examples of following God’s leading do we have in Scripture to help us do the same?
How can we discern when circumstances are a confirmation of His will?
How can we encourage each other to move forward in faith when God's will is unclear, trusting that He will guide our decisions, while ensuring we stay aligned with His will rather than acting on our own desires?