Where to find God’s will and instruction for our lives

It is natural for a new Christian to want to know what God’s will and purpose is for their lives. The good news is that God’s own word authoritatively tells a believer about their position in Christ, and it provides detail regarding their calling and vocation, together with instruction on how to grow and be throughly furnished unto all the good works, in which God has before ordained that we should walk.

However, new believers are often pointed to popular authors, for their wisdom, rather than to study the Bible, to know God’s wisdom.

Such is the demand for knowledge of a personalized plan, that Christian literature is filled with (men’s) advice on how to understand and follow God’s will and plan for our lives.  The vast majority teach that by applying certain methods and principles (often referencing bible verses), it is possible to get day to day guidance from God regarding decisions and next steps in all aspects of life.

As an example, in R.C. Sproul’s book “Can I know God’s will?”, the preface states:

• “Dr. R.C. Sproul outlines timeless principles for discovering and applying the will of God in day-to-day decisions.  He then illustrates how these principles should inform two of the most significant decisions we face in life—the choice of a career and the choice of a spouse”.

The title of J.I. Packer’s book, “God’s Will: Finding Guidance for Everyday Decisions”, speaks for itself and reinforces the idea that by following certain methods, you can discover God’s will for your everyday decisions.

The front cover of John MacArthur’s book, “Found: God’s Will”, has the sub-title “Find the direction and purpose God wants for your life”.  The description reads: 

• “Does God have a path for me? How do I make the right choices in life? Why is it so difficult to uncover God’s will? Found: God’s Will shares six powerful principles that will give you direction, fill you with purpose, and give you the confidence to live out His plan for you.”

A.W. Tozer wrote many books, some regarded as Christian classics, such as ”The Pursuit of God” and “The Knowledge of the Holy”.  He taught the idea that people can hear God’s voice in their heart, guiding them in each and every decision.  A famous prayer of his goes as follows: 

• “Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy Voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking Voice.  Amen.”

The purpose of this study, it to present scriptures that show us God’s revealed will in the Bible, which he wants us to understand, so that we walk not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. We will learn that, for a saved person, the life we should now live in Christ is not I, but Christ that liveth in me, and it is God that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure, having made known unto us the mystery of his will.

Be followers of God, as dear children

The law tells us we must do certain things to please God, and abstain from other things to avoid his wrath, whereas grace teaches us about the love of God.  

We love God, because he first loved us, and gave himself to suffer and die on the cross, that we might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. It is that unmerited grace of God which should motivate us with a desire to know and serve him according to his will, to have our lives aligned with God’s plan and purpose for his creation.  

It is because of the riches of God’s grace toward us, that our thoughts, desires, and lives, are constrained or compelled by what he has done for us.  Entirely by grace, through faith in the gospel of Christ’s payment for sins, we have been made heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; adopted by God our Father, and made the children of God.

• Romans 8:15-17 KJV  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  (16)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  (17)  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Like the uncomplicated response of a child to a loving parent, we should be followers of God, as dear children; walking in love toward God and others because Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us on the cross.

• Eph 5:1-2 KJV  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;  (2)  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

God has revealed his will 

How misguided and sad it is for those who are never quite sure if that sign, circumstance or voice in their head came from God, or if it was mere circumstance and imagination.  Worse still, how sad for those who receive miraculous signs that are not from God, and which simply blind them and others to the truth. 

We don’t need to practice so-called “listening techniques” to discover God’s will for our lives.  In the scripture, God has already revealed his will.  It is preserved in written form for our instruction, that we may be fully equipped to serve God, according to his will.  

• 2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

What a wonderful prayer, not just that we would be filled with the knowledge of his will, but that it would be in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that we can apply it directly to our lives in walking worthy of the Lord, knowing that we are pleasing him and being fruitful in every good work as we increase in the knowledge of God.

• Col 1:9-10 KJV  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

As we come unto the knowledge of the truth, we learn what God’s will is, and therefore how we should walk worthy of our heavenly calling.  More and more, it should become our desire to please God by offering our bodies as a living sacrifice to him, as a reasonable service, in natural response to his love, rather than a self-motivated struggle to meet some false criteria for acceptance with God.  

More and more, as his word works effectually in us, we will naturally choose to prioritise our time and energy to growing in knowledge, being strengthened and equipped to serve God, according to his revealed will.

So what is God’s will?

We can read for ourselves about God’s will in the scripture, including that he will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

• 1Ti 2:3-4  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Furthermore, it is God’s will for every individual saved person, that we be thankful in everything.

• 1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

We are instructed in God’s will for how we should conduct our lives, knowing that the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedience and that we should not be partakers with them in sinful lifestyles.  

• 1Th 4:3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Time is short and not to be wasted

We learn from Ephesians and Colossians that we are to walk wisely and redeem the time because the days are evil.

• Eph 5:15-16  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  (16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Walking wisely is to apply our knowledge of God’s will (from the Bible) in every aspect of our lives. This is not an overnight transformation, because there is much instruction, and it is God’s desire that we would grow in the knowledge of him and be filled with the knowledge of his will, that we might walk worthy and be fruitful.

• Col 1:9-10 KJV  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Being equipped to serve God according to his purpose, requires us to put off the old man, and put on the new man, by being renewing in the spirit of our minds. This essential doctrine is presented in detail in the study article “Putting on the new man”.

Putting off the old man and putting on the new, results in being renewed in knowledge, which changes our character to be conformed to the mind of Christ.  It is by this knowledge, through wisdom and understanding, that we naturally bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  

This is necessary, if we are to serve God according to his will: we put on his character in bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even: even as Christ forgave us.  We learn that above all these things we are to put on charity, love with the truth, which is the bond of perfectness.  

God’s will is that all men be saved

We know that it is God’s will that all men be saved and come unto a knowledge of the truth.  This is something all Christians should pray about, that we would have the freedom to share the truth of the gospel to all men.

• 1Ti 2:1-4 KJV  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  (3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We need to be wise toward those without, who are not saved, caring about the fact that friends, family and people all around us need to hear and trust the gospel, or face eternity in hell.  Knowing that it is God’s will that all men be saved, we should use our time wisely in furtherance of the gospel.

• Col 4:5  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Knowing God’s will, and that the days are evil, we should not partake of the unfruitful works of darkness as fools but instead live wisely and circumspectly (diligently / perfectly), redeeming the time rather than wasting it on foolish self-indulgence. 

• Eph 5:15-17 KJV  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  (16)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  (17)  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Blameless and harmless sons of God

This study article can’t cover every instruction for how we should live our lives.  For that, we need to continue to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding, by individually studying to show ourselves approved unto God, as workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

• 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

But it is clear that our behaviour is also important, that we remain blameless and without rebuke from the world, able to shine as lights in the world.  If we are to hold forth the word of life to others, according to God’s will, then we must allow God to work in us through his word, that we walk worthy, blameless and harmless in the eyes of the world.   

• Php 2:12-18  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  (13)  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  (14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  (16)  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.  

Conclusion – proving the perfect will of God

In order to know the will of God clearly, it is not a case of looking for signs and listening for voices in our head. Instead, we must choose not to be conformed to this world, and all of its appeal to the flesh, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind.  

• Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

By putting on the Lord Jesus Christ we can know and serve him according to his good, and acceptable and perfect will.  This is where our desire, time and effort should be focused, while we are still on this earth.  In contrast and opposition, we should not make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.

• Rom 13:14 KJV  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Finally, we should pray and desire for each other as Paul and Timothy prayed for the Colossians.

• Col 1:9-14  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  (11)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  (12)  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:  (13)  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  (14)  In whom we have redemption through his blood,