If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It?

Finding God's Will vs. What Just Works

Have you ever found yourself doing something simply because it works, without questioning whether it's actually God's will for your life? Many of us live by the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But what if something works in your life yet isn't aligned with God's Word?

What Does It Mean to Imitate God?

Ephesians 5:1 gives us a powerful instruction: "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." This isn't a suggestion—it's a command that covers every aspect of our lives.

The problem many Christians face is that we love Jesus and are saved, but we don't necessarily want God to completely overhaul our entire life. We have comfortable habits and patterns that seem to work well for us, and we're reluctant to change them.

But here's the truth: Just because something works for you doesn't mean it's from God.

When "Working" Isn't Enough

Consider these biblical examples:

• When Eve ate the forbidden fruit, did it "work"? Yes, her eyes were opened to know good and evil, just as Satan promised. But it wasn't God's will.

• When King Saul consulted a medium to speak with the dead prophet Samuel, did it "work"? Yes, Samuel actually appeared. But this practice was explicitly forbidden by God.

The reality is that many things in our lives might be "working" but are completely outside of God's design for us.

How Do We Know What's From God?

As Christians, we have two primary sources of guidance:

1. The Word of God

2. The Holy Spirit within us

These two will never contradict each other. If you believe the Holy Spirit is telling you something that contradicts Scripture, you're not hearing from the Holy Spirit.

Many Christians claim, "God told me to do this" when what they're planning directly contradicts Scripture. That's not God speaking—that's your own desires or, worse, deception.

The Deception of Following Your Heart

"Follow your heart" sounds nice, but it's not biblical advice. In fact, Jeremiah 17:9 tells us: "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"

Instead, Jeremiah 17:7-8 gives us the better path: "But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water."

Are You a Potted Plant or a Riverside Tree?

Think about the difference between a small potted plant and a tree planted by a river:

• The potted plant requires constant attention and watering or it will die

• It produces minimal fruit

• It can't withstand harsh conditions

• It's easily moved from place to place

Meanwhile, a tree planted by the river:

• Has a constant source of water and nutrients

• Isn't bothered by heat or drought

• Stays green year-round

• Never stops producing fruit

Many Christians are like potted plants—they come to church for a "watering" once a week but dry up the rest of the time because their source isn't in Christ. They're not deeply rooted.

What's Your Source?

Ask yourself: what is the source of the things in your life that "work"?

• Is it tradition? ("My family has always done it this way")

• Is it yourself? (Your own understanding and wisdom)

• Is it your education? (What you learned in college)

• Is it social media? (What influencers tell you)

• Is it your friends? (Peer pressure and social norms)

None of these sources are inherently wrong if you bring them back to the Word of God for verification. But if any of these are your primary source of guidance without Scripture as your filter, you're building on sand.

Living as People of Light

Ephesians 5:8-10 tells us: "For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord."

The light within us isn't meant just for ourselves—it's meant to shine for others. And we're called to "carefully determine what pleases the Lord" and then do it.

This isn't legalism if it comes from a heart of love. Just as a child wants to please their parent because they love them, we want to please God because we love Him.

God's Ways Are Higher

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us: "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

God's Word and His truth don't always work the way we think they should, but they always work. His Word always produces fruit and accomplishes what He intends.

Life Application

This week, take time to examine your life through the lens of Scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas that aren't aligned with God's Word—even if they seem to be "working" for you.

Consider these specific areas:

1. Your marriage: Are you following biblical principles in how you relate to your spouse?

2. Your parenting: Are you raising your children according to God's Word or popular psychology?

3. Your finances: Are you handling money God's way or the world's way?

4. Your health: Where do you put your faith first when health issues arise?

Pray this prayer: "God, no matter what I have in my life that doesn't line up with you, I will change it and make it line up with your Word—even if it hurts, even if I have to change my whole life around."

Ask yourself:

• What areas of my life am I running on autopilot without considering God's design?

• Where have I been putting my trust in what "works" rather than in what God says?

• What would it look like to truly imitate God in everything I do?

• What's one specific change I can make this week to align more closely with God's Word?

Remember, God's Word always produces fruit. When you submit to Him, you will "live in joy and peace"—not because everything works out perfectly, but because you're living in alignment with your Creator's design.