What The Bible Says About Knowing The Will Of God

(Text: Romans 12:1-2)
By: Barry L. Cameron


One of the most common questions ever asked by people, young and old alike, is: “Can a person really know the will of God for their life?”
God doesn’t play some cosmic game of hide and seek from us. He wants us to know that #1 - He has a will for our lives and #2 - He wants us to know what His will is.

God speaks His will to us through:
1. The Bible
2. Prayer
3. Church
4. Circumstances
5. Other Believers

Here Are Some Things We Can Know For Sure About God’s Will:

(1) We have to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices if we want to know His will for our lives. (Romans 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.”

(2) It is God’s will that you be saved. (I Timothy 2:3-4)
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

(3) It is God’s will that you be Spirit filled. (Ephesians 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.”

(4) It is God’s will that you be sanctified. (I Thessalonians 4:3)
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”

(5) It is God’s will that you be submissive. (I Peter 2:13-15)
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, 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 men.”

(6) It is God’s will that you suffer. (I Peter 3:17)
It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

(I Peter 4:12-13)
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

(I Peter 4:16)
“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

(I Peter 4:19)
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

(II Timothy 3:12)
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

(7) It is God’s will that you be thankful.
(I Thessalonians 5:18) “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

.”HERE’S THE EXCITING NEWS . . .
If you are doing all seven of those things that you know for sure are the will of God for your life, then, God gives you the freedom to choose whatever you wish to do. Sound too good to be true?

The fact is, once you are in the middle of God’s will when it comes to His revealed will for your life in Scripture, then, He gives you the privilege to make whatever choices you’d like to make, regardless of whether the choice is your life’s vocation, or your life’s partner.

Psalm 37:3-6 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”