An Exercise In Determining God's Will

[GordonSlocum]

There may be new born again believers reading this post.

That makes this a good time to consider the WILL OF GOD

What is the Will of God?


When I was young I thought it was a mystery. You may differ at this point but we don’t want to turn this into a debate on “mystery” per se.


The everyday walk is not a mystery with respect to God’s will.

So, for refreshers and reminders and teaching and learning lets all participate in listing only one instruction, principle, or truth concerning the Knowable Will of God.

Just what we know.

A hypothetical question may be appropriate in the following way but try to keep it short:

A young person wants to go to college. There are two colleges to consider. Remember this is not real only hypothetical.

College A and College B -

Everything about them are exactly the same.

They are both on top of a mountain.

The trees on the land are the same.

At the base of the mountain is the shore line of a lake, fresh water lake, and no land can be seen at the distance in any direction and the distance is equally the same in all directions to land.

All the teachers teach the same subjects and are equally qualified to teach those subjects.

There hypothetically is no difference.

You live in a city equal distance from each school that is on these two mountains in the middle of the fresh water lake.

It is God’s will for you to go to College (hypothetical here).

What is God’s will concerning the college you go to because there are only two colleges in the whole universe that exist - these two?

Does God have a will for this illustration?

Which one and how would you know? How would you answer this with respect to God’s real word and world?

Answer this as follows (Hypothetically Yes or No) and then site a none Hypothetical real clear knowable teaching, or principle.

[GordonSlocum]

Hypothetically Yes both coleges would be in God's will Just go to one or both for that matter.

Will of God "Hate what is evil" Romans 12:9

[mlqurgw]

Determining God's will isn't quite so cut and dried. Do whatever God gives you opportunity and ability to do serving Him.

Pro 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

[RED that's ME]

I heard a good preacher a while back preaching on the will of God for your life. God uses his Word, talents/abilities he has given you to work with & also Godly mentors advising you that reinforces what God has planned for you. It's not all always cut and dried as mlqurgw said. :)

[53Isaiah]

The ‘will of God’ is different than his ‘individual plan’ for each believer. While he might plan for me to be a missionary to Brazil, his will is for all to be saved.

[GordonSlocum]

Determining God's will isn't quite so cut and dried. Do whatever God gives you opportunity and ability to do serving Him.

Pro 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.


True. So which school is God going to direct your steps to. You hypothetically know that God's will is to go to school. Which one?

Also, is there a statement or verse that clearly reveals God's Will that has nothing to do with "man devising his way"?

[GordonSlocum]

I heard a good preacher a while back preaching on the will of God for your life. God uses his Word, talents/abilities he has given you to work with & also Godly mentors advising you that reinforces what God has planned for you. It's not all always cut and dried as mlqurgw said. :)

Is "do not steal cut and dried"?

[GordonSlocum]

The ‘will of God’ is different than his ‘individual plan’ for each believer. While he might plan for me to be a missionary to Brazil, his will is for all to be saved.

Brother 53, if you are the missionary which of the hypothetical schools are you going to? They can both be the type of Christians School you can believe it to be. Not one bit of difference in all respect - which is God's will?

And, is there a scriptural statement of God's will, not all of it just one tiny point or piece.

Gordon

[53Isaiah]

Brother 53, if you are the missionary which of the hypothetical schools are you going to? They can both be the type of Christians School you can believe it to be. Not one bit of difference in all respect - which is God's will?

And, is there a scriptural statement of God's will, not all of it just one tiny point or piece.

Gordon
It's just been a long day at work and I did not understand your first paragraph. Could rephrase please?

[GordonSlocum]

What is God’s will concerning the college you go to because there are only two colleges in the whole universe that exist - these two?

This first question is strictly make believe only. Regardless of the make up of the schools they are the same.

All things are equal. But the person going to this school knows that it is God's will to go to school.

In that both schools are the same in all respect which school is God's will?

There are decisions in life that we make. Everyday decisions that call for logical, will thought out and reasoned responses. Yes, we pray and seek God. We do this in reading The Bible, Bible Study, Sermons and life in general, but biblical principles play a large role in God's will in mundane everyday life.

For instance is it God's will to get fat?

Is it God's will to run a race until I damage my body?

Is it God's will to Shoot someone is self defense?

The list goes on. Some things will not permit you a split second to pray. You must decide on the spot out of a trained lifestyle.

We have to make a decision on all things. Things that are not Black and White, but call for life's experience and Christian Principles. In these cases they are sometimes automatic, not prayer, not time to research the scripture or anything. .

[53Isaiah]

Thanks for the detail response.
What is God’s will concerning the college you go to because there are only two colleges in the whole universe that exist - these two? This first question is strictly make believe only. Regardless of the make up of the schools they are the same. All things are equal. But the person going to this school knows that it is God's will to go to school. In that both schools are the same in all respect which school is God's will?
If the person feels that God is not giving any further direction then to go to college, than the decision is non-Biblical.
Some things will not permit you a split second to pray. You must decide on the spot out of a trained lifestyle.
I believe as Christians are to make decision before you need them. Consider how Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself.
We have to make a decision on all things. Things that are not Black and White, but call for life's experience and Christian Principles.
As Christians we should seek out to understand those things which are Biblical, un-Biblical, and non-Biblical.

[mlqurgw]

True. So which school is God going to direct your steps to. You hypothetically know that God's will is to go to school. Which one?

Also, is there a statement or verse that clearly reveals God's Will that has nothing to do with "man devising his way"?I don't normally deal in hypotheticals because we don't live in a hypothetical world. But in your hypothetical it doesn't really matter because all things are equal. If you go to school A it is God's will. If you got to school B it is God's will. For it to be an actual choice there must be a difference. They are in essense the same shcool. If you are trying to teach us how to make decisions I already gave it to you. If you are looking for a rule to go by try the Law of Faith.

[GordonSlocum]

I don't normally deal in hypotheticals because we don't live in a hypothetical world. But in your hypothetical it doesn't really matter because all things are equal. If you go to school A it is God's will. If you got to school B it is God's will. For it to be an actual choice there must be a difference. They are in essense the same shcool. If you are trying to teach us how to make decisions I already gave it to you. If you are looking for a rule to go by try the Law of Faith.

I totally agree with your understanding. In my thinking there are a "large portion" or decisions we make that require on the spot decisions. What is God's will in these decisions is not a matter of stopping on the spot, opening the Bible and praying for an answer. While the school we decide to go to is a much more serious matters and should take into consideration many things, all of which we take seriously and pray over. Much of the decision over a school will involve our depth of commitment to Christ and our knowledge of Scripture. In essence the answer we receive from God is directly linked to our understanding of God's Word.

To a very large extent the things we pray about are answered in common sense teaching from the word of God. The Holy Spirit and The Word of God are in one respect inseparable in answering the prayers of the saints.

This does not set aside all issues that are not directly represented is Scripture. We all know that moral living is God's will and any prayer concerning moral issues is answered in Scripture before we pray. Its a matter of obedience not "what is God's will". Where do I buy this car or that car is not taught in Scripture per se, but is taught when it comes to common sense in the area of practical living, budget, gas mileage, need of more room, type of weather we face where we live and other variables.

The believer fails to give appropriately to God's work and then goes out and buys something they really don't need in my opinion does not fall into the will of God nor is it an answer to godly prayer.

The Believer prays for health and then eats all type of foods that harm the body.

The Believer prays for understanding of Scripture but never makes the effort to study.

The list goes on. So the will of God is sometimes so obvious that we avoid it so as not to be convicted and held responsible.


If I don't study the Word and know what it says about the will of God, then I won't know the will of God.

Someone might say, but what about the call to go to "Tim Buck Two". The answer to that is first if God is calling you to "Tim Buck Two" you will never know for sure if you are not first in God's will in all other aspect of your life, Prayer, Devotions, Walk, Etc. When the fundamental areas of our life are in God's will then the larger question of the "unknown" if that is the correct word to use becomes clear. Counsel, desire, circumstances and godly counsel have a very legitimate use in determining God's will in cases like this.

God places the desire in our hearts and this is in turn is confirmed by practical understanding from God's word, and goldy counsel with other REAL sold out believers.

God Bless.
Gordon

[colossiansgirl]

As one is being transformed by the renewing of their mind, one will be able to test and approve what God's will is. Rom12:2
As we walk closer and closer with God decisions come wihtout evening having to debt/question which is correct, we just know..becuase we know Him.

[GordonSlocum]

Romans 12 One of my favorite portions of Scripture

1. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.

2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

(A) The will of God is to present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice

(B) The will of God is to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

(C.) The will of God is to “prove . . . That which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

If we don’t read and study and hide God’s word in our hearts how then can be PROVE what the will of God is (that which is good and acceptable and perfect.)

If we don’t’ read and stud and hide God’s word in our hearts we are not going to be transformend by the renewing of our mind”.

The Holy Spirit can not work in us if we don’t hide God’s word in your heart. Inductive Bible Study is a tool that correctly interprets God’s word so that our mind is renewed and we can PROVE what the will of God is.


The Will of God in these Verses are underlined

3. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5. so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, {each of us is to exercise them accordingly:} if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7. if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8. or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9. {Let} love {be} without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

10. {Be} devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; (How)

11. not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12. rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

13. contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

19. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath {of God,} for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

20. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."

21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


So what do we do with Chapter 12, We read it.

We underlined each separate thing as a Believer we are to obey and do.

These scriptures are practical instructions to us and it is the Will of God.

We can not know this part of the will of God apart from reading it.

The Holy Spirit can not convict me of these specific aspects of the will of God apart from studying, mediating, memorizing, and putting into practice what is revealed.

Revelation is God revealing it to Paul and Inspiration is Paul recording it, and Illumination is the US reading, accepting, understanding and putting into practice in the power of the Holy Spirit.

If we don’t read and study and meditate the Holy Spirit will not have the resource to convict our heart and minds to act and obey.

He is our power but the word is his source of teaching. You or I will not receive any word, revelation, teaching, instruction, etc unless we read and study the word of God.

[Dmckay]

The book of Jeremiah is so appropriate for today with so many Churches just coldly mouthing the words of Praise to our Lord while living for the Devil. If you want to read a really good exposition of Jeremiah I highly recommend Death of a Nation by Ray Stedman.

[colossiansgirl]

Romans 12 One of my favorite portions of Scripture

1. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.

2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

(A) The will of God is to present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice

(B) The will of God is to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

(C.) The will of God is to “prove . . . That which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

If we don’t read and study and hide God’s word in our hearts how then can be PROVE what the will of God is (that which is good and acceptable and perfect.)

If we don’t’ read and stud and hide God’s word in our hearts we are not going to be transformend by the renewing of our mind”.

The Holy Spirit can not work in us if we don’t hide God’s word in your heart. Inductive Bible Study is a tool that correctly interprets God’s word so that our mind is renewed and we can PROVE what the will of God is.


The Will of God in these Verses are underlined

3. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

4. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,

5. so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, {each of us is to exercise them accordingly:} if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;

7. if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

8. or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9. {Let} love {be} without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

10. {Be} devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; (How)

11. not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12. rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

13. contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

19. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath {of God,} for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

20. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."

21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


So what do we do with Chapter 12, We read it.

We underlined each separate thing as a Believer we are to obey and do.

These scriptures are practical instructions to us and it is the Will of God.

We can not know this part of the will of God apart from reading it.

The Holy Spirit can not convict me of these specific aspects of the will of God apart from studying, mediating, memorizing, and putting into practice what is revealed.

Revelation is God revealing it to Paul and Inspiration is Paul recording it, and Illumination is the US reading, accepting, understanding and putting into practice in the power of the Holy Spirit.

If we don’t read and study and meditate the Holy Spirit will not have the resource to convict our heart and minds to act and obey.

He is our power but the word is his source of teaching. You or I will not receive any word, revelation, teaching, instruction, etc unless we read and study the word of God.

Nicely put!!!

[GordonSlocum]

Thanks will check it out at Baptist Book Store soon.

[Dmckay]

GordonSlocum,

You have hit upon one of the most difficult questions/problems in the lives of just about every believer. I have seen so many believers become shipwreck because they are spending so much time and effort trying to determine exactly what G-d's Will for their lives is that they never accomplish anything.

There are two aspects to the Will of G-d. First, G-d's Determined will, that which is actually going to happen. And secondly, G-d's desired will. Now that the water has been muddied, let's see if I can clear it up. Scripture says G-d is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance. He would like everyone to be saved, but not everyone will be saved. This is an example of G-d's desired Will. Scripture also contains over 300 prophecies regarding the coming and person of Jesus Christ that were fulfilled within the life of Jesus of Nazareth. This is G-d's determined Will.

Now how does this apply to us individually? We can only know G-d's determined Will by looking at what happens. We can get direction for finding both G-d's determined Will and His desired Will by studying the Scriptures. For example, we are told that we are to associate ourselves with other Christians in the Local Church, but we aren't told specifically what Church we should go to. Unless we associate with a church that is non-Christian then there is a pretty good chance that you know G-d's Determined Will for you regarding your church home. The Desired Will aspect of this example is the instruction that we are to associate with a local church.

The better we know G-d's Word the easier it becomes to determine G-d's Will in specific situations. When we combine a knowledge of G-d's Word with a knowledge of our preferences, Spiritual gifts, natural talents and our interests we are better able to determine G-d's will for us. G-d gives us our interests, talents, and Spiritual gifts That we might use them to edify the Body of Christ. As long as we are moving forward in our walk and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, G-d can fine tune His direction of our walk. However, if we sit on the sidelines waiting for G-d's direction before we act, we diminish the chance of finding G-d's will.

The branch doesn't have to question the Vine as to what the Vine's will for the branch is. As long as the branch is attached to the Vine, and is drawing sustenance from the Vine the branch will continue to grow and produce fruit.

[GordonSlocum]

GordonSlocum,

You have hit upon one of the most difficult questions/problems in the lives of just about every believer. I have seen so many believers become shipwreck because they are spending so much time and effort trying to determine exactly what G-d's Will for their lives is that they never accomplish anything.

There are two aspects to the Will of G-d. First, G-d's Determined will, that which is actually going to happen. And secondly, G-d's desired will. Now that the water has been muddied, let's see if I can clear it up. Scripture says G-d is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance. He would like everyone to be saved, but not everyone will be saved. This is an example of G-d's desired Will. Scripture also contains over 300 prophecies regarding the coming and person of Jesus Christ that were fulfilled within the life of Jesus of Nazareth. This is G-d's determined Will.

Now how does this apply to us individually? We can only know G-d's determined Will by looking at what happens. We can get direction for finding both G-d's determined Will and His desired Will by studying the Scriptures. For example, we are told that we are to associate ourselves with other Christians in the Local Church, but we aren't told specifically what Church we should go to. Unless we associate with a church that is non-Christian then there is a pretty good chance that you know G-d's Determined Will for you regarding your church home. The Desired Will aspect of this example is the instruction that we are to associate with a local church.

The better we know G-d's Word the easier it becomes to determine G-d's Will in specific situations. When we combine a knowledge of G-d's Word with a knowledge of our preferences, Spiritual gifts, natural talents and our interests we are better able to determine G-d's will for us. G-d gives us our interests, talents, and Spiritual gifts That we might use them to edify the Body of Christ. As long as we are moving forward in our walk and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, G-d can fine tune His direction of our walk. However, if we sit on the sidelines waiting for G-d's direction before we act, we diminish the chance of finding G-d's will.

The branch doesn't have to question the Vine as to what the Vine's will for the branch is. As long as the branch is attached to the Vine, and is drawing sustenance from the Vine the branch will continue to grow and produce fruit.


Enjoyed your post. We are in total agreement in what you said.

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:17 "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

For the believer this means we can know God's will. Here God's will in practical everyday living a life for Jesus.

But what is it? Some of it is revealed in the following verses.

l - Do not get drunk
- Be filled with the spirit
- Speak to each other in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs
- Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord
- always give thanks to the God the Farther for everything in the name of Jesus
- wives submit to your husbands
- husbands love your wives
- children obey your parents in the Lord
-Fathers do not exasperate your children
-Slaves obey your earthly masters (apply to work)
-Masters treat your slaves "well" do not threaten them (apply to work)
-Put on the full armor
-Pray and pray for all saints

When a person ask or states I am having a hard time finding God's will generally they are rebelling against God's revealed practical will which is right there in front of our eyes.

The Christian does not have to pray "God what is your will for me today, tomorrow, etc. The Godly principles and rules of Christians Living are there and that is God's will. The prayer for the Christian should be "Dear God, teach me more of your will as I seek and study your word today." That is a valid prayer that God hears.

There is no knowing any aspect of the un-defined will of God with respect to where I live and things like that where there isn't the commitment to the practical will of God that governs our daily walk which is revealed and clearly spelled out in Scripture. God did not tell us in Scripture where to live. But being in God's will with respect to the principles that are knowable and in His revelation, the Bible gives us the tools to discern where to live. The discerning tools are comprised of a total commitment to the revealed will in mind and body.

Discernment only comes in the wake of surrender and maturity in understanding of God's revealed will.


Sad to say I think even this post is lost in the "providential will" realm and the "un-defined will of God that follows a committed believer to the revealed will of God"

Many want the un-defined will without the revealed will. "Dear God I want that Job, that Car, that House, that Wife, that Husband, yet the revealed will is ignored and not assimilated into our lives. Forget the un-revealed will until we accept the revealed will and put it into practice. The only results of moving ahead is disaster. A believer can pray until the cows come home and if the life of the believer is not in step with the revealed will the un-knowable will is and will remain un-knowable. There is no knowing the un-knowable will apart from the knowable revealed will in the Bible.

Too many of us are praying for a better job, money to pay our bills, healing from sickness, and heartaches and we are not praying, practicing, and planning the everyday practical will which is His revealed will spelled out in Scripture.

Our goal (all of us ) should first be study to know the practical will, willfully decide to practice the revealed will and them as you point out - it will all fall in place. The un-knowable mysteries of God's will in areas that are not spelled out in Scripture but honor Godliness (the test) will come following our surrender to the revealed will - the knowable will. No mystery, no guessing, no debate.

(1) God's will with respect to his plan from beginning to end Providential Will if you may.

(2) God's knowable will - exactly what the Scripture tells us about be Godly Christians

(3) God's individual will with respect to common everyday choices, where to live, where to go to school, what job to take etc. only follows after number 2. If number 2 is not met you are out of God's will. But you can get back in, all be it, by God's Grace.

The Un-Knowable Will is Knowable when the Christian Knows, and puts into practice the Knowable will. Then and only then will the "un-known" be knowable.

[mlqurgw]

There is much truth in what you say but we must be careful that we don't set a bunch of rules for believers to live by. Our nature is to be legalists and we fall into very readily. When we start talking about do and don'ts for the believer it usually ends up as rules and laws we judge by. Determining God's will isn't all that difficult and complex. The principles laid out in Scripture, some of which you have stated, certainly guide us in our daily walk of faith but finding the will of God in everyday life is just as I said. Do whatever God gives you opportunity and ability to do honoring Him. Be content serving Him where you are. Not only in physical place but in actual service. If you aren't content serving Him where you are what makes you think you will be content serving Him somewhere else?

[Dmckay]

There is much truth in what you say but we must be careful that we don't set a bunch of rules for believers to live by. Our nature is to be legalists and we fall into very readily. When we start talking about do and don'ts for the believer it usually ends up as rules and laws we judge by. Determining God's will isn't all that difficult and complex. The principles laid out in Scripture, some of which you have stated, certainly guide us in our daily walk of faith but finding the will of God in everyday life is just as I said. Do whatever God gives you opportunity and ability to do honoring Him. Be content serving Him where you are. Not only in physical place but in actual service. If you aren't content serving Him where you are what makes you think you will be content serving Him somewhere else?
I agree, wholeheartedly with what you say. We must be careful of not becoming legalistic. I believe that what Gordon is demonstrating by quoting this portion of Ephesians 5 is that there are some areas where G-d's Will is made readily clear for us, as in this "list" that Paul sets down. If we look at it simply as a checklist for determining spirituality then it does become legalism. However, if we realize that when we are walking in the Spirit that these things will be naturally true in our lives, without conscious effort on our part, we have, as it were, a gauge on how we are doing in our walk.

We can be assured that these things, at the least, are established as some of the things that are G-d's will for our lives. By stating them explicitly in this manner we know that they are G-d's desired will for the lives of Believers. Whether or not we actually live in this manner, so that these things can be said of our life, shows whether or not they are G-d's determined Will for our life.