Whenever some believers talk about knowing God’s Will, what they actually mean is to know the correct decision they are making for a particular area of their lives, such as, finding the right partner or job, or buying the right apartment or car at the right time.
Search for the words “God’s will” or “the Lord’s will”, or what does God wants for us in the Bible, you can find the following verses :
- 2 Pet 3:9. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
- Eph 5:15-18. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.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.
- 1 Thess 4:3-5. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.
- 1 Pet 2:13-15. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
- 1 Pet 4:12-19. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
It is God’s predestinating purpose for us to be saved in Christ Jesus and to be a people growing in Christlikeness and eventually be perfect in Christ. Eph 1:4-14, Titus 2:11-12, Rom 8:28-29, Eph 2:8-10.
So from the Word of God above, we can see it is the same purpose that God wants us to be saved in Christ Jesus (2 Pet 3:9), be Spirit-filled (Eph 5:15-18), be sanctified (1 Thess 4:3-5), be submissive (1 Pet 2:13-15), and be willing to suffer for Christ’s sake and doing good (1 Pet 4:12-19).
If we are walking in these 5 areas according to God’s will, God is already controlling our wants and desires. And when the Word of God dwells richly in you and the Spirit of Christ is filling you, you will prosper in whatever you do because you will make the right and wise decision for any area of your life.
Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
– Gleaned from the book, How To Get The Most From God’s Word, by Dr John MacArthur.
