Understanding The Will Of God Series

topic: THE WILL OF GOD

OBJECTIVES:

This teaching identifies three types of will in operation in the world today. It defines the expression "God's will", examines the life of Jesus in relation to that will, and stresses the importance of the will of God.

In summary, Upon completion of this teaching you will be able to:

a. Define the word "will.”

b. Identify the three types of will at work in the world today.

c. Explain the three meanings of God's will.

d. List reasons why it is important to do God's will.

e. Identify the proper motivation for doing God’s will.

KEY VERSE:

For I came down from Heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. (John 6:38)

A. THE MEANING OF "WILL"

The common meaning of the word "will" is to determine or decide on the basis of the will. The will is the power of choice. There are three types of will operating in the world today:

1. Self-will:

This is the will of man, the basic selfish nature which desires to walk its own way. When you guide your life by self-will, you make choices on the basis of your will apart from God.

a. The Bible warns about self-will:

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

b. Self-will is the operation of the fleshly nature of man:

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (II Peter 2:10)

c. The Bible records the results of self-will:

So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. (Psalms 81:12)

Sin, suffering, and trouble in the world today are all results of man living in disobedience to the will of God.

d. David speaks of self-will operating in the lives of wicked men:

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. (Psalms 27:12)

e. The Bible states that leaders in the church should not be self-willed:

For the bishop must be blameless as the steward of God: not self willed. . . (Titus 1:7)

2. Satan’s will:

a. Satan has a will. He desires to destroy all that is good in your life. Jesus warned Peter about this:

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. (Luke 22:31)

b. Satan wants to sift all that is good out of your life. Jesus said:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

c. Paul said some believers are taken captive by the will of Satan:

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (II Timothy 2:26)

3. God's will:

The third will operating in the world is the will of God. This is the main subject of our study.

B. THE MEANING OF GOD'S WILL

The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. In Greek there are two terms used for the word "will" in reference to the will of God.

One word is "boulema," which refers to God's sovereign will. This is His predetermined plan for everything that happens in the universe. This type of "God's will" is fulfilled regardless of decisions made by man. It is His master plan for the world.

The "boulema" will of God does not require the cooperation of man. In the "boulema" will of God, the outcome is predetermined. The "boulema" will of God is written in His Word and is quite clear. There is no need to seek this will of God because it is revealed in the Bible.

The other word "thelema" refers to God's desire for man to experience and live in His will. It refers to His individual plan or will for each man and women. In order for God to fulfil His "thelema" will, it requires your cooperation. You have the power to choose whether or not you will walk in the "thelema" or individual will of God for your life. It is this "thelema" will, or God's will for you as an individual, to which we refer when we speak of seeking God's will.

One other type of God's will is the "moral" will of God, commandments revealed in the written Word of God which teach how believers should live. The individual and sovereign wills of God for man never conflict with the moral will of God as revealed in His Word.