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Thoughts of...Knowing God's Will
Each of us makes countless decisions every day. Some decisions are major, while most are seemingly inconsequential. What am I to do with this rebellious child? My marriage is crumbling; what do I need to do or say? I can’t pay all my bills this month; what now? What should I prepare for dinner tonight? After dinner should I watch TV, go to Bible study, or have a date night with my spouse? Do I “go for it” and change lanes or let this guy in ahead of me? Should I share Jesus Christ with this person again or am I casting pearls before swine?
In Word and in deed, Jesus taught us how we are to make all decisions – “Not my will be done but Your will be done.” (, ). We are God’s children () so our decisions are to be in accord with the will of the Father ().
But how do we know the will of God? God is Spirit and is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth (). Accordingly, the Father communicates His will to His children in Spirit and in Truth.
First and foremost, God’s revealed Truth speaks His will (Ps 119:30, 142, 151, 160). When faced with a decision, no matter how big or how small, our automatic response must be “What does the Word of God say?” The alternatives must be weighed by the Word and any alternative not in harmony with the Word must be immediately rejected. No matter how appealing the alternative may be, if it is contrary to the Word of God, it must be “taken captive” in prayer (, ). The Truth of God’s Word is our premier decision-making guide (, , , , ).
If the decision alternatives are in harmony with the revealed Truth of God, then we seek the will of God in Spirit. Obvious requirements to hear the small, still voice of the Holy Spirit are to walk in the Spirit (, ) and to be still (). When we are guided by the Word and walking in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will witness His will to us and direct our steps (, ). He will place a burden on our heart or an inspiration in our mind and ask us to walk by faith rather than by sight or complete knowledge (). When we surrender our will to His and by faith obey His leading by the Spirit, the Father gives us a peace about His chosen course of action ().
We know God’s will in Spirit and in Truth, but also by His fingerprints. If your decision does not contradict the Word of God but you cannot discern the clear leading of the Holy Spirit, God will reveal His will to you through circumstances. God leads us supernaturally quite naturally in the every day occurrences of life. An “opportunity” will either present itself or vanish. A hindrance will appear or vanish. A word will be aptly spoken (, ). The Lord will use circumstances to indicate His direction for us. Decision alternatives will like open doors or closed doors. Just as we walk through the open doors in the physical realm, we are to walk through the open doors in the spiritual realm. Once again, seeing these doors and walking through them is done by faith, as the Lord leads us step by step.
Do you want to know the will of God for a decision you must make?
Have you prayed?
What does the Word of God say?
Have you been still in order to hear the small, still voice of God?
Can you see the fingerprints of God?
Do you have the peace of God with the decision?
Are you walking by faith?
Do you genuinely want His will be done…or yours?
Pastor Doug
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