How to Know God's Will

Phil. 2:13, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Eph. 5:17b, "......understand what the Lord's will is."

In the Scriptures God has shown us His will on a variety of subjects. Neither He nor His Word ever changes. There are other ways by which we may discern God's will, but everything God tells us to do will be in harmony with His Word. He will never contradict Himself.

While Scripture speaks on many subjects, there are specific situations we may face that the Bible doesn't address, such as which job should I take, which church should I join, should I move to a different city, etc. In such situations we need to hear God's voice from other sources. Let me recommend three.

First, if a path is part of God's will, He will open the doors to that path, and perhaps He will close doors to other paths. Hannah Whital Smith in her book The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life wrote, "It is never a sign of Divine leading when the Christian insists on opening his own way and riding roughshod over all opposing things. If the Lord goes before us, He will open the door for us, and we shall not need to batter down doors for ourselves."

Second, there should be an inner peace, a settled feeling, if we are walking in the center of God's will. If this peace is lacking, we need to keep searching for the right path.

Third, when we pray we are opening the way for God to enlighten our judgment, our common sense. When we have prayed about a decision, then we can get off our knees and do the thing that seems most logical to us as long as it is not opposed to Scripture, we have an inner peace about it, and God opens the way for whatever we have decided to do.

God is very interested in our following His will for our lives. If we have missed His will but are willing and trying to do whatever He wants, then it is up to Him to change our course. He may close doors or give us an inner sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction, but if we are willing to be led, He can certainly be trusted to lead us.

In summary, God's will for us will be in accord with Scripture. There will be an inner peace. God will open the doors. If we have prayed about our decisions and these other factors are in harmony, then we can do what seems best to our spiritually enlightened common sense and know that God is guiding us.

Father, thank You that You are not only willing but desirous of guiding our paths. May we stay in the center of Your will for each of our lives. Amen.