How to Find God’s Will?
All of us know that we have to follow God’s will.
We even know that if we follow the will of God in our lives, it gives us immense satisfaction and that’s the best thing we can ever do.
But most of the Christians aren’t following the will of God because they don’t know the will of God.
As a result, many Christians go through terrible problems and situations.
Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
If we do not follow the will of God in our lives, we have to pay a heavy price and face the negative consequences.
So, how can we find out the will of God for our lives?
We can find the will of God through the following ways:
1. God’s Word
Psalm 40:8 – “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
Law of God = Will of God
Example: We know through the Word of God that marrying an unbeliever is not God’s will (2 Cor. 6:19).
The Word of God reveals that it is God’s will for a man to have only one wife.
The first and primary way of knowing the will of God is the Word of God.
Through the Word of God, we know that God wants us to be whole and not sick (Matthew 8:2-3).
Matthew 8:2-3 – “A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.”
Through the Word of God, we know that it is not the will of God for us to be poor and in debts; but He wants us to have enough so that our needs are met and we can give to others too (see Prov. 22:7; Phil. 4:19; Ps. 35:27).
Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
God doesn’t want us to be depressed, but He wants us to be happy and full of joy (Phil. 4:4).
In the same way, through the Word of God we know that it is not God’s will for us to be oppressed of the demons.
We know through the Word that the Lord wants us to live harmoniously and have good relationships with the people around us.
We know through the Word of God in 2 Peter 3:9 that God wants everyone to be saved.
We know through the Word of God that abortion is murder – John the Baptist in Elizabeth’s womb.
The general will of God is clearly specified in the Word of God for us.
But how to know the specific will of God?
The Bible doesn’t tell us which job to go for. It doesn’t tell us whom to marry. It doesn’t tell us what exactly we need to do for our future career or life.
We need to understand one thing. We can know the specific will of God only when we follow the general will of God (E.g., marrying a person, job, making major decisions).
These things can be revealed to us only when we are following what is already revealed in the Word – i.e. the general will of God.
So, how do we find the specific will of God?
The specific will of God can be known through the following ways:
2. Through the peace of God
Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Rule – âñáâåõåôù (brabeuetoo) meaning arbiter or umpire.
The Wuest translation of the Bible says – “Let the peace of God act as umpire in your heart.” Explain this.
Just as every sport that has disputes must be settled by the officials, the peace of God is the umpire that settles all disputes as to what the will of God is for our lives.
The peace of God is always umpiring in our hearts, but we don’t always pay attention to it.
Sometimes, we even go against the peace of God in our hearts.
As you sit in the presence of God, be still (Psalm 46:10) and consider all the options and discern the will of God by the peace of God in your heart.
E.g., appointing of the pastor – God said “no” to the first option that I had considered.
When we sit still in the presence of God, God speaks to us through the small still voice – not audible but we can discern that God is speaking to our spirit.
We should let or allow the peace of God in our hearts to be the umpire so that we can know the will of God for our lives.
3. God’s will can also be discerned through situations, people, etc.
We have to understand that we can have negative situations and problems even if we are following God’s will.
E.g., disciples in the boat – “Let us go over to the other side.”
We have to discern correctly what the Lord is trying to tell us.
Illustration: There was a certain harbor that was treacherous and dangerous. In order for the captain to guide his ship safely into this harbor, he had to be very attentive to the three lights that were used to guide him. When all three lights lined up as one, he knew it was safe to proceed. Then, and only then, would he be able to bring his ship safely to port. As we seek guidance, we, too, have to be attentive to three lights that are used to guide us into the harbor of His will: the Word of God, outward circumstances, and inner conviction. When all three of these lights line up, we can proceed with assurance that we will be led safely into the harbor.
4. Through the word of knowledge and prophecy
1 Corinthians 12:8 – “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:10 – “to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.”
However, we have to be careful with this.
Whatever is being revealed should be tested whether it is consistent with the Word of God.
We shouldn’t take others words blindly, but we ourselves should test whether what the other person has said is the will of God.
Prophecy - a) Prophecy about Jamuna’s healing, b) Prophecy about the church in Neredmet, c) Prophecy about the people God is raising up in the Neredmet church to minister.
These prophecies were fulfilled and have been fulfilling.
Word of knowledge in Lucknow – after I preached on forgiveness, the Lord did baptize the people in the Holy Spirit.
God does speak through audible voice sometimes.
We have to discern whether we are listening to God’s voice or not.
E.g., a young Christian man who heard devil’s voice thought that it was God’s voice and got down from a running bus and jumped from a tree.
If we are receiving a word of knowledge or prophecy from a person, we should make sure that that particular person is living a godly life too.
But it is possible for some true servants of God to not listen to the Lord correctly. In that case, they should clearly tell that they are not sure.
Prophecy is not fortune-telling or fore-telling. We got to be careful of this.
What should we do in order to know the will of God?
Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
What should we DO to know God’s will?
In order to know God’s will, we need to
Offer our body (yourselves in the body – talking about our whole being) as a living sacrifice and thereby live holy lives. We need to surrender all to God.
Stop confirming ourselves to the thinking of the world.
Renew your mind according to God’s Word.
Then, we can prove or test or discern or examine God’s will in our lives.
Conclusion
Philippians 2:13 – “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
God gives us the desire to do His will and He also enables us to do His will. Amen!
Illustration: A young man went into a church and started praying. He was so anxious to find God’s will for his life that he took a piece of paper and wrote down all the things that he was going to do for God. Then he started to pray that God might reveal to him whether these promises were acceptable to Him. God said, "This is not the way I want you to find My will. All I want of you is for you to sign your name and leave the paper blank for Me to fill."
