The Secret of the Yoke.

The secret to knowing that you are saved and doing the Lord's will is to get to know Him intimately.The scriptural way to do that is found in Matthew 11:28-30
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Let me explain what this scripture means; first of all we are all burdened with all kinds of cares and concerns and when we get tired enough we call out to the Lord asking for help. He is there and responds and we feel relief but it may be only temporary and when the pressure is off we go back to our old ways.This is known as backsliding and eventually we are convicted and hopefully recommitt our lives to Jesus, but time is lost and we have sinned and feel regret and wish we hadn't backslidden at all.
Now as I first said, the scripture above is the antidote to backsliding. First step is to take up Jesus yoke, and that means to literally cast off all of the old and surrender to His control. Consider what a yoke is in the natural since Jesus is using a natural object to make his point. In bible times a yoke consisted of wooden collars for two oxen to put their heads in then they were pinned there and came under the control of the plow master. In spiritual terms it is Jesus yoke, He is in one side and you are in the other and because He is the stronger one you become subject to His will without question.In order to submit to His yoke you need to turn from everything in your old life that gets in the way of your life in Jesus, including turning away from friends that drag you down instead of building you up and giving up personal habits that do not reflect a life in Christ. You will find that if you will do this that He will quite literally deliver you from addiction even from drugs, alcohol and smoking or whatever else is your stumbling block. Remember that it is not your strength but His that is now in effect in your life. Next in the scripture it says "Learn from me" which is different than "learning about Him". If you will surrender to His yoke then He Himself will teach you through many amazing life experiences and as you read His word and He makes it come alive to you. As you read, pray for understanding and He will give it to you. I realize that this is a bit different than the normal teaching that you just go to church and listen to the sermons and everything will be fine. I do recommend finding a good church but ultimately Jesus, through the Holy Spirit will teach you and guide you into all truth, John 16:13

Philippians 2:12-14 (New International Version)
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

The key word for all that I have said here is "TOTAL SURRENDER"you will never regret it.