Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. – Ephesians 5:10

Paul’s advice in today’s verse, in simplest terms, is to try to recognize what God wants.

Throughout the entire chapter, Paul writes about some things that displease and please the Lord. Among the behaviors that displease the Lord are sexual immorality, impurity, foolish talk, crude joking, covetousness (which Paul equates with idolatry), deception, evil works (even speaking of them), and drunkenness.

Among the behaviors that please the Lord are loving sacrificially, giving thanks, doing what is good, right, and true, exposing evil works and deception, being careful and wise, managing time well, understanding the Lord’s will, being filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in fellowship with other Christians in worship, and submitting to one another. He also describes the marital relationship as the husband loving his wife and the wife respecting her husband.

In daily decisions, involving relationships, resources, or time, knowing what God wants may seem murky. Would the Lord want you to do this or that, go here or there, attend this church or another? As you try to ascertain what God wants, when in doubt, love. The greatest commandments are to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-39). Spend time in prayer each morning asking for God’s wisdom for the day in how to please Him.

Ask the Heavenly Father to perform His will in this country, from the unborn child to the most influential leader.