How do I know God's will?
God's will is first and foremost revealed: in Scripture, in Christ, and through the Spirit. For daily decisions He guides through His Word, wisdom, godly counsel, prayer, and open doors, and He promises to make the path plain to those who trust and acknowledge Him.
This question arose from studying Is God really in control?.
Begin by reading
Go into the Word
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
God's moral will is already revealed: in the Word
Your word is 'a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.' The Scriptures 'are able to make you wise for salvation' and 'equip us for every good work.' What God has already said is the sure foundation for knowing what He wants; 'the secret things belong to God, but the things revealed belong to us.'
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
His will for your character is clear
'This is the will of God: your sanctification.' Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances: 'for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.' Much of what we call guidance is simply obedience to what God has already plainly commanded.
For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Be transformed, and you will discern it
Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 'that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.' The mind renewed by the Spirit and the Word is the mind that learns to sense God's direction.
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.
For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Ask for wisdom: He gives it generously
'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.' Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
Trust and walk, not fear and freeze
God leads those who are walking, not those paralyzed by the fear of choosing wrong: 'Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it.' He guides with His eye upon us, step by step, as we follow Him. If the Lord wills, you will do this or that.
and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.
For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”
If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.
As you read, you may wonder…
Scripture raises the next question
Studying the Word naturally opens more of it. Follow what you just read: it leads somewhere.
We haven't written this one yet. Take it to your church or small group: the Word answers it wherever it is asked. If we study it here later, all the better.
Hold onto these
Verses to meditate on
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
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