The Open Heavens 24 May 2026 devotional for today is SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED III.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 24 MAY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED III
MEMORISE
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left
Isaiah 30:21
READ: Genesis 26:1-6
1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
2 And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 24 MAY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
Spiritual discernment is crucial for every Christian, especially when making critical life decisions such as choosing a marriage partner, where to live, and who to associate with. Some Christians have married evil people disguised as angels of light because they lacked spiritual discernment. They embraced Jezebels and Nabals – idolatrous and foolish people who can lead them astray and ruin their lives.
Believers need God’s direction to know the right people to marry. For example, when Abraham wanted to choose a wife for Isaac, he gave his servant specific instructions about the type of woman who would be suitable for his son and fit to partake in the covenant God had made with him (Genesis 24:1-8). He told his servant to go to his country and kindred to take a wife for Isaac. This is the first criterion for a Christian’s choice in marriage; he or she must marry a fellow Christian because our country as believers is heaven. Some believers have disregarded this criterion to their detriment
Apart from a believer ensuring that whoever he or she wants to get married to is a Christian, it is also crucial to ask God to show him or her the right person among His numerous children. Some Christian ladies have been carried away by a suitor’s charisma, so they didn’t ask God if he was a suitable spouse for them or not.
Likewise, some Christian men have allowed a lady’s commitment in church to blind them to what God is saying about her character. When it comes to the issue of marriage, a believer cannot afford to be carried away by external things and miss the Holy Spirit’s direction. If you are still single, I pray that you will allow the Lord, and not your emotions, physical preferences, or human calculations, to guide you in your choice of a marriage partner, in Jesus’ name.
Where to live is another crucial decision that requires spiritual discernment. In Genesis 13:10-13, Lot didn’t inquire from God before choosing to pitch his tent towards Sodom. He found himself in the midst of sinners and wicked people, and eventually, he lost his home when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sins of their inhabitants. Only spiritually discerning people will know whether God wants them to relocate or not, and where to relocate to.
Beloved, don’t make critical life decisions based solely on your judgment and understanding. Seek God’s counsel and remain spiritually discerning to know what He wants you to do.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, please help me not to be insensitive to Your guidance.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Nehemiah 11-13
Open Heavens HYMN 33: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 24 MAY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Isaiah 30:21
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”
This verse is a promise of divine guidance for those who are sensitive to God’s voice. The image is striking: a voice behind you, not just ahead—because sometimes you are already moving in the wrong direction, and God calls you back. The guidance is specific: “This is the way” for every turn you face. God does not leave you guessing. He speaks clearly to those who listen.
BIBLE READING: Genesis 26:1-6
This passage records a critical decision in Isaac’s life. A famine arose in the land, and Isaac considered going down to Egypt—the natural and logical choice, because Egypt had food. But God appeared to him and said, “Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.” Isaac obeyed, stayed in Gerar, and God blessed him. This passage demonstrates that the logical choice is not always the right choice. Spiritual discernment overrides natural reasoning.
Critical Decisions Require Spiritual Discernment
In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye applies the principle of spiritual discernment to the most important decisions of life: marriage, relocation, and associations. These decisions are not small; they shape your destiny. And they cannot be made on the basis of emotion, appearance, or human logic alone. You need God’s direction.
Choosing a Marriage Partner: The First and Most Critical Decision
The devotional begins with the most important life decision after choosing Christ: choosing a spouse. Some Christians have married evil people disguised as angels of light because they lacked spiritual discernment. They embraced Jezebels (idolatrous, controlling women) and Nabals (foolish, harsh men) who led them astray and ruined their lives.
The first criterion: Marry a fellow believer
Abraham gave his servant specific instructions when choosing a wife for Isaac: go to my country and kindred. Not to the Canaanites. Not to the surrounding pagan nations.
Why? Because a mixed marriage is a covenant between a believer and an unbeliever, and God warns against being unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). Your “country” as a believer is heaven. Your “kindred” are fellow citizens of that kingdom.
The devotional states plainly: “Some believers have disregarded this criterion to their detriment.”
The second criterion: Ask God for the specific person
Even among believers, not every Christian is the right spouse for you. Some Christian ladies have been carried away by a suitor’s charisma, charm, or wealth—and missed the Holy Spirit’s warning. Some Christian men have been blinded by a lady’s church commitment, her singing voice, or her appearance—and ignored what God was saying about her character.
External things cannot be the basis for marriage.
- Charisma fades.
- Beauty fades.
- Church activity can be performed without a transformed heart.
- What looks like a gift may be a trap.
You need discernment to see past the surface to the character underneath.
The devotional prays for singles: “If you are still single, I pray that you will allow the Lord, and not your emotions, physical preferences, or human calculations, to guide you in your choice of a marriage partner.”
Choosing Where to Live: The Lesson of Lot
The devotional gives the tragic example of Lot. When Abraham gave him the choice of land, Lot looked with his natural eyes and saw the plain of Jordan—well-watered, lush, prosperous. It looked like the garden of the LORD (Genesis 13:10).
He chose based on appearance, not discernment.
What he did not see was the wickedness of the inhabitants. He did not discern that Sodom’s prosperity was built on corruption. He did not hear God’s warning. He pitched his tent toward Sodom, then moved into Sodom, then lost everything when God destroyed the city.
The result: Lot lost his home, his wife became a pillar of salt, and his daughters committed incest with him. His entire family line was corrupted because he made a relocation decision without consulting God.
The lesson: Only spiritually discerning people will know whether God wants them to relocate, where to relocate to, and when to relocate.
Choosing Associations: The Company You Keep
The devotional implies that associations—friends, business partners, close allies—also require discernment. Not everyone who smiles at you is for you. Not everyone who calls you “brother” or “sister” is walking in the same spirit.
- Some people are agents of the enemy disguised as friends.
- Some relationships are assignments from hell to drain your destiny.
- Some partnerships are designed to pull you away from God’s purpose.
Discernment allows you to see who is truly for you and who is secretly against you.
Why Your Judgment Is Not Enough
The devotional warns: “Don’t make critical life decisions based solely on your judgment and understanding.”
Why? Because your judgment is limited. You see what is visible; God sees what is hidden. You see the present; God sees the future. You see the surface; God sees the heart.
What looks logical may be deadly.
- Egypt had food, but God told Isaac not to go there.
- Sodom looked prosperous, but Lot lost everything.
- A suitor may be charming, but his character may be rotten.
- A city may offer jobs, but its spiritual atmosphere may destroy your family.
You cannot afford to rely on your own understanding. You need the voice of God.
How to Make Critical Decisions with Discernment
1. Seek God Before the Decision
Abraham’s servant prayed before he left (Genesis 24:12). He did not wait until he arrived. Seek God before you start looking, before you apply, before you sign any contract.
2. Apply the Biblical Criteria First
Before asking “Is this person right for me?” ask “Is this person a believer?” Before asking “Will this city help my career?” ask “Will this city help my walk with God?” The non-negotiables come first.
3. Listen for the Voice Behind You
The memory verse says the voice comes from behind—because God may need to redirect you from a path you are already on. If you feel unsettled, if you have an uneasy peace, stop and listen. God may be saying, “This is not the way.”
4. Test the Spirit
Not every spiritual impression is from God. Test it against Scripture. Does it align with God’s word? Does godly counsel confirm it? Does it produce peace and clarity, or confusion and pressure?
5. Be Willing to Wait
Rushed decisions are rarely discerning decisions. The enemy pressures you to decide quickly. God gives you time to pray, confirm, and be sure. Do not let impatience cost you your future.
6. Watch for Confirmation
God often confirms His guidance through multiple witnesses—scripture, prayer, circumstances, and godly counsel. If you have only one witness, wait.
The Prayer for Singles
The devotional includes a specific prayer for those seeking a spouse: “If you are still single, I pray that you will allow the Lord, and not your emotions, physical preferences, or human calculations, to guide you in your choice of a marriage partner.”
This is a prayer you should pray for yourself daily if you are single. Surrender your preferences. Surrender your timeline. Surrender your “type.” Let God choose for you. He sees what you cannot see.
The Danger of Ignoring Discernment
The devotional does not sugarcoat the consequences of ignoring spiritual discernment:
- Marriage becomes misery when you marry the wrong person.
- Relocation becomes destruction when you move to the wrong place.
- Associations become traps when you trust the wrong people.
You can avoid these outcomes. Seek God. Listen for His voice. Test every impression. Apply biblical criteria. Be willing to wait.
Do not let emotion, appearance, or human logic override the voice of the Spirit.
Conclusion: This Is the Way
The memory verse promises that when you are sensitive to God, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”
- Not a guess.
- Not a hope.
- Not a possibility.
- This is the way.
God will guide you to the right spouse, the right location, the right associations. He will not leave you to stumble through critical decisions alone.
But you must be willing to listen. You must be willing to obey. You must be willing to set aside your own judgment and trust His.
Pray this:
“Father, I come to You as I face critical decisions in my life. Forgive me for the times I have relied on my own judgment, my emotions, my preferences, or human calculations. I surrender my choices to You—my marriage, my location, my associations. Give me spiritual discernment. Let me hear Your voice behind me saying, ‘This is the way.’ Guide me to the right spouse, the right place, the right people. I will not move until You speak. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Action Steps:
- If you are single: Write down your “wish list” for a spouse. Then ask God to override every preference that is not from Him. Surrender your list.
- If you are considering relocation: Before you pack a box, spend a week praying specifically about that location. Ask God for clear confirmation—or clear closure.
- If you are forming new associations: Ask God to reveal the heart of the people you are considering as partners, friends, or allies. Watch their character, not just their charisma.
- Practice listening: This week, before any decision—even small ones—pause and ask, “Lord, is this the way?” Build the habit of seeking before stepping.
- Test your peace: If you have a decision pending and you feel no peace, do not move. Peace is not the only indicator, but the absence of peace is a warning. Wait until clarity comes.
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