This is a
difficult topic to discuss not so much because the Bible does not give clear
direction as much as there are so many different thoughts and expectations that
it is difficult to not to give the wrong impression. For that same reason it is a vitally
important topic to take about. How do I know what the will of God is for my
life? Young people especially struggle with this question as they are making
vital life changing decisions. The scripture I want to reference is Rom 12:1-2
but before I do I want to talk about God’s will in a general sense.
Two wills of God
I believe
the Bible refers to two types of God’s will. God is in control of everything
and nothing happens outside of His control and knowledge. That would be God’s
decreed will. There is also God’s will
of obedience. Throughout the Bible God reveals to us his desire for us in
everything we do from morality, to how we view and worship God, to how we view
and treat others. I believe these verses are talking about God’s will of
obedience for a number of reasons which for time I will not go into right now.
Transformation Takes Work
When we were
saved we became new creatures in Christ. Our hearts were changed and we have a
desire by faith to please and glorify God but God is still in the process of
making us to be like Christ. Phil 2:12-13 tells us to work out what God has
worked in. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is
accomplished by God, through His word. As we read God’s word and come to understand
Him better we change our minds to think like He does and to have the desires
that He has. Filling our minds with God’s word will show us who he is in any
giving situation.
Know God’s Will by Testing and Discerning
Knowing and understanding God’s will does not
come by meditating on nothing and waiting for it to come. Do not sit around
trying to attribute your own thoughts and feelings to a spiritual voice to
discern God’s will. Never in the Bible do you see someone struggling with
discerning whether or not God audibly has spoken to them. And never is that
spoken word incorrect or inconsequential to their life or the life of others. If
God speaks to you directly He will do it such a way that there was no doubt
that God has spoken. God has shown us through His word how we are to discern
His will for every area of life and never does it involve mysticism, clearing
your mind or chanting the same phrase, song or verse over and over. Next I will
cover 4 practical and Biblical ways of testing and discerning the will of God
and what is good, acceptable, and perfect.
Testing through Scripture
I would
argue this is the single most important tool for discerning God’s will.
Anything and everything else should be viewed through the filter of scripture.
That is why it is so important for us to be constantly in God’s word, being
transformed and renewing our minds. This type of transformation comes from a
deep understanding of God’s word in the context of the whole Bible. It takes
time, work and prayer to understand God’s word and how to apply it to your
life. Years of time, study and experience which leads me into item two.
2
Spiritual Advice/Counseling
Spiritual
advice can be very helpful from someone who is outside of the situation. But be
very careful who you go to for this advice. The Bible mentions in several
places about the younger women going to the older women and younger men to the
older men or elders for advice. Godly advice can provide a different
perspective on your situation. Be careful as bad advice can be just as detrimental
as good advice can be helpful.
3
Prompting and peace of the Holy Spirit
I almost
hesitate to even mention this because of the heavy emphasis on mysticism in the
church today. At the same time I believe it can be an important factor in
discerning God’s will. I would not look at this as a reason as much as
assurance of the right direction. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If you
are grounded firmly in God’s will you should be demonstrating these
characteristics. If you are lacking peace, faithfulness, joy etc. then you
should look at your life and see why the fruit of the Spirit is lacking in your
life. Maybe it is due to decisions you have made or maybe it is because you believe
something about God that isn’t true. It may be a small decision of what you
believe about a situation or a big decision of being engaged to a certain
person without careful thought. The Spirit’s prompting will come
through scripture not a feeling, a voice, or goose bumps.
Be weary of the people that tell you to just sit and listen for God's voice, to clear your mind, or even chant scripture over and over to where it becomes a thoughtless process. The Bible never tells us to look within ourselves, our heart, or our own mind for answers but to look to God, His word and to those who are wise in the faith.
