Determining God’s Will (Part 1)

by John Nieder

Before you set out to determine God’s will for your life – or for a particular decision – you must first surrender your will to Him. If you are not fully yielded to His will for your life your resistance will make discernment difficult and may even give the enemy the opportunity to disrupt you. Our model of surrender is the person of our Lord who when He faced the horrible death of the cross cried out, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

The questions which follow are designed to help you determine the perfect will of God. Before you answer these take a few moments and make sure that your heart is right. Are you willing to do whatever the Lord wants? Then tell Him. Is your heart filled with anxiety? Turn it over to Him with complete honesty.

You may want to communicate your openness to God’s will by praying out loud the following prayer: Lord I know that your plan for my life is perfect and that you love me and want only the best for me. Lord, I surrender myself totally to you to do your will and not my own. Please forgive me for being self-centered and self-seeking. During this time of reflection, please protect me from deception of the enemy and allow me to discern your voice and your direction. Help me to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ in whose name I pray.

1. WHAT DOES GOD’S WORD SAY ABOUT THE DECISION YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE?

God’s Word gives us both specific directives as well as broad principles that we are to apply to our lives. As you are brought to a point of decision look first for passages that have a definitive application to the question at hand. For example, if you are considering entering into a partnership with an unbeliever take a good look at 2 Corinthians 6: God’s answer is obvious. The best way to look for passages that have a direct impact on your decision is by looking up key words in a concordance. Most decisions we have to make cannot be directed by a specific passage but instead require the application of biblical principles. When evaluating a career change or relocation the tenor of truth must be weighed but you will be hard pressed to find a single verse that reveals God’s will. In fact, the questions that follow are designed to help you to apply basic biblical concepts to the decision under consideration.

Micah 2:7 Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?

When you lead an obedient life, God’s word produces good, a blessing, in your life. The Word of God is the source of the good life to an obedient believer who walks uprightly.

Mark 12:24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?”

If we do not know the Scriptures, we are liable to take the wrong path through our ignorance.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

James 1:25 But the man who looks intently at the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

2. WHAT ARE THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART?

If you walk with the Lord on a daily basis and have a sweet fellowship with Him your heart will be in tune with His heart. Your desires will be His desires. What are the desires of your heart relative to the decision at hand? Don’t assume that God’s will is something that runs contrary to what you want to do.

2 Samuel 23:1,5 These are the last words of David:. . . “Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?

Psalm 20:1-4 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

3. WHAT ARE WISE, SPIRITUAL COUNSELORS SAYING ABOUT YOUR DECISION?

When making a critical decision, consult with godly people who know the Word of God and who have a firsthand knowledge of you and your family. Encourage these counselors to be completely honest with you and to reveal any blind spots they may discern.

Proverbs 10:13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Proverbs 21:11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

John Nieder will continue next month with principles four through seven, that will help you Determine God’s Will.