KNOWING AND OBEYING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE
Mt. 21:28-30 - "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ’Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ’I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ’I will, sir,’ but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered.
God only reveals His specific will when we are following His general will.
Purpose precedes function.
Lk.16:10 - Faithful with little, for the sake of the little, first!
2 Tim.2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Mt.22:37-40 - Jesus replied: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
1 Peter 2:2 - Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
2 Tim.3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1 Thes.5:17 - pray continually
Mt.28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
2 Peter 1:3-11 - Read.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Rom.5:3-5 - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Maturity, stability, growth, multiplication, work, etc.
Your ability to know God’s will for your life depends on your willingness to obey whatever His will may be. For the Christian there can’t be a middle ground. His will is the ONLY way to experience the victorious Christian life. We can learn this the easy way (like Paul) or the hard way (like Jonah).
Jonah: Jonah 1:1-2 – God calls Jonah, Jonah 1:3 – Jonah rejects God’s plans for his life, Jonah 2 – Jonah repents – puts God back in a place of authority, Jonah 3 – God speaks a second time.
Paul: Acts 9:5-6 – Paul (Saul at the time) is told go into the city and be told what he “must do”, Acts 15-18 – Paul obeys “At once.”
There is a Biblical principal that if we know God’s will and choose to go our own way He’ll let us, the resulting consequences are not His fault (but he will often use these to develop maturity in us).
He won’t violate our free will.
If we aren’t being obedient to what He has already called us to, His will will seem very cloudy and unsure.
When we choose to obey what He has already called us to, the rest of His will becomes clear also.
There is a second Biblical principal that if we seek God’s will with the proper motivation (obedience out of love) He will never withhold His will – but will always make it clear exactly when we need to know it.
Knowing God’s will is a lifestyle that flows out of a relationship with Him. To know God’s will you must start with an attitude of obedience, then follow these Biblical principals.
Verses: Jer. 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Eph. 2:10 – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Rom. 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. 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.”
God’s Word literally gives us a three-step method for knowing His will (Rom. 12:1-2).
Present your body as a living sacrifice. Living is a continual thing. The Word instructs us to continually put His will above our own (ie. Sacrifice our hopes, dreams and desires for His purposes). This is a lifestyle of putting Christ on the throne.
Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world. What are some of the patterns of this world? Do not be conformed to them!! This is the exhaling part of spiritual breathing.
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The renewing of your mind occurs when you read, meditate on, study and memorize the Word; this also involves praising Him (establishing His rightful place of authority in your life – a natural response to the Word working in you). This is the inhaling part of spiritual breathing.
God’s Word also implies that complete dedication to His will is required to know it.
Dedication involves 1desiring to do His will, knowing confidently that His way is best and 2being willing to do His will whatever that may be.
Remember: Knowing His will for your life requires 1presenting your life for His service, 2not being conformed to the World and 3being transformed by the renewing of your mind. You must be willing and dedicated – Like Isaiah (Is. 6:8) – “Here am I, send me.” Imitate Christ’s attitude (Phil.2:5-8, 13).
Some important characteristics of knowing God’s will.
God is eager to reveal His will (Ps.127:1).
God isn’t obligated to reveal His will if you aren’t willing (Jn.17:7).
God’s will is often in line with the desires of a Spirit filled Christian (Phil.2:13, Ps.37:4).
God expects us to use sanctified common sense – not emotionalism or mysticism (Prov.16:9, 2Tim. 1:7).
God won’t lead you into failure (Ps. 37:5, Rom. 8:28).
God’s will is in the present tense – a lifestyle (Deut.30:1-6).
God won’t reveal His will for your entire life all at once; He will always reveal it to you at exactly the right time (Ps.32:8).
God may not reveal more of His will to you if you are being disobedient to what He has already given you (Jonah chapters 1-3).
God’s will is always in agreement with His Word (Ps.119: 9-11).
God wants you to be careful about who you go to for advice (Is.8:19-20, Prov.3:5-6, Ps.1:1).
God’s will is about a relationship not a situation – focus on Him not the circumstance (Jer.9:23, Jn.15:5, 14-15, Col.3:23, Ps. 25:14).
God’s will cannot be improved upon, it is perfect (Rom.12:1-2, 1Cor.2:9).
How to know God’s will. Here are some simple guidelines that will help you know God’s will.
Remember Lk.16:10 first - faithful with little for the sake of the little.
Obedient with general before specific.
Eph.5:17-18 - Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Make sure you are following Rom.12:1-2. This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect but it is should be what you are committed to.
Are you presenting your life continually for His purposes?
A life of surrender and obedience.
Are you being conformed to His character – not the world’s?
Are you being transformed by the renewing of your mind (ie. reading, meditating on, studying and memorizing the Word – learning to think like He does)?
If you answered no to any of those repent (begin thinking the way He does about the issue) and confess this to God (1Jn.1:9).
Pray about the issue – maybe even fast (Mat.7:7).
Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).
Check what the Word has to say about the issue.
What are the direct statements about the issue?
What are the principals about the issue?
Create a pro’s and con’s list – this isn’t wrong – but it is in line with the Word (2Tim.1:7, 1Cor.2:16).
God has given you a sanctified mind – use it. Pray and ask for His wisdom then write out the pro’s and con’s according to what you believe is His best interest – not your own selfish ambitions.
Wisdom is one of the biggest Biblical directives as far as knowing God’s will – see the entire book of proverbs for example. Use wisdom and common sense in deciding God’s will – this is Biblical; God will direct your thinking (James 1:5).
Ps.37:4 – God will give you desires in line with His will as you walk with Him. Often a Spirit filled Christian’s desires will be in line with God’s will.
Rom.12:3-8 – God will gift you with specific talents as you walk with Him. These talents will often be a part of your calling and God’s will for your life.
Calling must precede gifting!!!
Seek confirmation from godly authority in your life (pastor, parents, accountability partners, etc.).
Do these wise people in your life agree that this is God’s will for you?
God will give you specific direction at times via “speaking to you.” This is fairly rare Biblically, however, and we are never once in scripture commanded or told to wait for a “voice.” God’s voice occurs primarily in scripture, but occasionally through other mechanisms (i.e. in your mind). Don’t rely completely on this. There are only a few examples of this in the entire Bible and there are no commands to wait for this anywhere. He will guide your thinking according to his will but don’t wait for a sensationalistic voice. Always check what you think God says with scripture and get confirmation of it from spiritual authority.
Desire to obey His will.
Do not wait for an open door! Understand that the open door policy (whatever door opens is God’s will) is not correct. David and Bathsheba was an open door situation. Seek God’s will and then when you know His will definitely step out in faith and watch Him open the door.
If you follow these principals it will produce enormous freedom and fulfillment. Imagine walking in all that God has planned for you – accomplishing what you were created for. These principals will help you make the right decisions in all areas of your life (including the following):
Your marriage.
Your family decisions (where you’ll live, etc.)
Your life goals (career, etc.). Remember – all Christians are called to be actively involved in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Your ministry.
Every other part of your life.
Remember: Being dedicated to God’s will, knowing God’s will and obeying God’s will are inseparable. They are the key to the victorious Christian life.
Discussion Questions
What areas of God’s general will for all Christians have you been growing in this semester (growing closer to Him, prayer, Word, sharing your faith, etc).
What areas has God been specifically challenging you to step out in next?
What sticks out to you as the main issue in knowing God’s will for certain?
How will you start implementing these principals in your life this week?
