Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version (ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

In my Christian infancy I asked an older man how he knew the right path to follow. His answer was “I know that I know that I know.” To an infant in the Lord that is nothing but confusion. It did not help me at all. I heard then and I still hear today men declare “God told me….” How did God make Himself known? Did He speak in an audible voice?  A voice in their head? How do you know you are hearing God?

Romans 1:17 English Standard Version (ESV) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,^[a] as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Footnotes: a Or beginning and ending in faith

A better answer would have been “We live by faith.” That would have led to another conversation about faith. It took me many years to come to a comfortable conclusion about faith. Since we were saved by grace through faith, then faith is vital to our eternal salvation. Yet faith is also important to our daily existence. Without it how can we experience the promises of God? Psalm 16:11 is one of those promises. Walk the path, experience the joy.

The opposite is true also. Stray from the path and we lose our joy. Just how far off the path do we go before recognizing we strayed? That depends on just how in tuned we are with the fruits of the spirit. The first three are the easiest to understand. Love, joy and peace are indicators from the Holy Spirit that we are connected to walking in God’s will.

Think of our peace of God as a direction finder. Stray too far and the Holy Spirit replaces peace with conviction. A good conscience is vital in keeping the peace of God within us.

Use it to help stay the course. Eventually the more successful we are the more we will understand what faith does for us daily. It is a knowing that comes from experience.