A gracious taste

(Arthur Pink, "The Attributes of God")

"Do not be foolish, but understand what the
 Lord's will is."  Ephesians 5:17

How may the Lord's guidance be expected? 

In general, God directs His people by affording them,
in answer to prayer, the light of His Holy Spirit, which
enables them to understand and love the Scriptures.
The Word of God furnishes us with just principles, right
apprehensions, to govern our judgments and affections,
thereby influencing and regulating our conduct. Those
who study the Scriptures in humble dependence upon
divine teaching, are convinced of their own weakness.

They are taught to make a true estimate of everything
around them and are gradually formed into a spirit of
submission to the will of God. They discover the nature
and duties of their situations and relations in life, and
the snares and temptations to which they are exposed.
The Word of God dwelling in them is . . .
  a preservative from error,
  a light to their feet, and
  a spring of strength and consolation.

By treasuring up in his mind the doctrines, precepts,
promises, exhortations, and warnings of Scripture; and
by diligently comparing himself with the rule by which
he is to walk—the Christian grows into a habitual frame
of spiritual wisdom. He acquires  a gracious taste which
enables him to judge of right and wrong with a degree of
readiness and certainty—as a musical ear judges sounds;
so that he is rarely mistaken, because he is influenced by
the love of Christ which rules in his heart, and a regard
for the glory of God. Moreover, God has promised to show
Himself strong on behalf of the one whose heart is perfect
toward Him. He does this by regulating His providences,
and causing all things to work together for his good.

Our daily walk is to be ordered by God's Word. In
proportion as it is so, we will be kept in His will and
preserved from folly and sin.

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