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How to Find God’s Will for Your Life

One of the most important things in all of our lives is not how much money we are making or what most men deem as important. The most important thing in life is to know God's will in everything and to do it. God's will is what must move us, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else. Any servant's greatest service is to know his Masters will and to do it promptly. One of our basic problems is how to always know the will of God and how to distinguish between so many voices what the will of the Lord is.

Many there are who want to follow hard after God's will; if only they knew what the Lord wants them to do! Scripture have much to say about God's will and how to find it.

Look at the following Scriptures:

"And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]." (Eph 5:10 amp)

"...Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”

The Word used here for "prove" in the original Greek means to "test" and to "examine" and to come to a conclusion. This however will only be possible if this verse is taken in its given place with verses 8. Verse 8 states:

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”

Thus, a "Walk in the light" will enable someone to be able to see and distinguish what is the Will of the Lord or what is pleasing to the Lord in any given situation!

Now one thing you must recognize and in an ever increasing way know is what we may refer to as God’s already revealed will – it is that which God have revealed already about Himself and His good pleasure. God’s revealed will is also God’s pleasure. God have an already revealed will, and that will is revealed in Scriptures, it is common and applicable to all His servants and people. The term “light” which Paul uses here in Ephesians means that God have revealed Himself, God have revealed His will. John also said: “God is Light...” thereby declaring that God have revealed Himself, He had made known His will! God’s Word is God’s Will, or the progressive revelation of God’s will. This you find all through Scripture and are discover in references like “...this is the will of God...” and “God does not want...” etc.

Having said this, you must understand one thing in order to find God’s will for your life. There is also the will of the Lord that is not always so clear. What does God wants in specific cases? That is not always so clear and specific in Scripture. It has to do with “must I do this or that, which is God’s will” and many such things as specific guidance regarding one’s life.

We are looking at Ephesians 5 verse 10, which states that we must “prove” what is acceptable to the Lord. Then Paul brings this in connection with verse 8 or it follows Paul’s thought that they must walk in the light, because they have become light in the Lord. What Paul says is “walk in those things that God has already revealed and then you will be able to comprehend those things that He has not specifically has revealed!” In order to know God’s will for your life, you must first know and come to know God’s revealed will and then comes conformed to that and then you will be able to discern the other as well.

No one can know the specific will of the Lord who is not obedient to the revealed will of the Lord. If you do not walk in the light God have already given you, why should God give you more? This is so important to see. If I do not walk and does not comply and desire God’s revealed will and Word, then I will never find God’s perfect will and pleasure in those things I seek God’s will! If I do not regard the light I have, I will not receive any more. Being Conformed to God’s revealed will is a condition to know and discern God’s specific will! If I am obedient to the light given, then that light will increase and become brighter so that I will be able to see and thereby understand and discern what the will of the Lord is.

“But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer)

until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared].^” (Pro 4:18 Amp)

Let me give you another illustration that Jesus uses. He speaks about His sheep, knowing His voice. How do I know Jesus voice? By following Him. How do I follow Him? By hearing and obeying His Word! The sheep will never be able to recognise His voice above all other voices if the sheep are not closely following Jesus. If the sheep goes its own way and walk in its own mind, then the sheep will never be able to discern Jesus voice! They will not be able. For the sheep to be able to discern or to recognize Jesus voice, they must follow closely in everything. There is an insufficiency today in many disciples. Many do not follow any more, they are led by their own devices and other voices, but for the many who do follow, there is one thing lacking from today’s disciple. It is the word discipline! Disciple means to become disciplined in a certain Way. For the sheep to know Jesus voice, calls for a disciplined walk in the light.

“There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise of them; and the actions of their lives and conversations, when they are becoming the Gospel, are according to the will of God, and are done in faith, and are directed to his glory: and these things which are acceptable to God, as all the truths of the Gospel, and duties of religion are, should be proved, or tried by men; and in order to the trial of spiritual things, it is necessary that the mind be renewed, the understanding be enlightened, the spiritual senses be in exercise, and all be under the influence and directions of the Spirit of God: and the trial is to be made, not according to human reason, which is corrupt and fallible; and besides, there are some things in revelation above it; but according to the Scriptures, which are the word of God, and the rule of faith and practice; and whither the prophets, Christ, and his apostles, always sent men for the trial of divine things; and things being here tried, and found to be right, should be approved of, valued, and esteemed, cleaved to and held fast.”

So here is the thing: What about God’s revealed will? Do you in an ever increasing way know it and being conform to it? This is where it starts. This is the ground work for knowing and finding God’s will for your life!

Here is a few:

It is God’s will that you are saved and found in Christ – 2 Peter 3:9

It is God’s will that you should abstain from all evil, even its appearance – 1 Thes 4:3; 5:22

It is God’s will that you should be holy in all your walk and conversation – 1 Thess 4:3

It is not God’s will that you are being conformed in manner, life, spirit, purposes, etc to this world – Romans 12:1-2

What verses 8 – 10 further also shows is that God’s will is not automatic. It does not always automatically come to your life. It is more like building. If the foundation is laid then one can build correctly. This means that to find God’s will for your life, will not come automatically to you, but by walking in the revealed will of God, light will increase whereby you will be able to discern those things you are uncertain about.

Again, look at Jesus Words in John 7:17:

“If any man desires to do His will (God's pleasure), he will know (have the needed illumination to recognize, and can tell for himself) whether

the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking from Myself and of My own accord and on My own authority.” (Amp)

The principle is the same, IF YOU DESIRES GOD’S WILL AND SEEK IT – THEN YOU WILL KNOW AND BE ABLE TO DISCERN DEEPER THINGS! The Lord will not make His will known to you if you are not attentive to His will and are not seeking it diligently or if you do not begin to arrange your life according to the already revealed will of God, even if it means suffering and just plain fleshly discomfort and distress!

“SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills. For the time that is past already suffices for doing what the Gentiles like to do--living [as you have done] in shameless, insolent wantonness, in lustful desires, drunkenness, revelling, drinking bouts and abominable, lawless idolatries. …. But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer.” (1 Peter 4:1-3, 7 Ampl)

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” (Ps 37:4 Amp)

“In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” (Pro 3:6 Amp)

“If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.” (Jh 15:7 Amp)

You can see this truth; it is present in all Scripture.

Then in verse 17:

"Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is." (Amp)

You will notice that verse 17 does not stand by itself, it begins with a "therefore." When any sentence begins with a "therefore" in Scripture then it is always safe to ask the question "wherefore" or “why?” Then by first answering the "why" question ONLY then may you continue to read and then you will be able to understand the "therefore." Without first distinguishing the "therefore" you will deal with that verses as separate identities and not with a unit, and it is not a separate verse but one that have absolute reverence to what previous was said. So in this case you find verse 16 that brings verse 17 in its proper perspective. Verse 15 to 16 says:

"Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil."

Now to understand the will of the Lord one must not walk without any consideration of his life, he must not merely live his life, but he must be very attentive to the way in which he lives. He must give much thought to his everyday life and the choices he makes and even the time he spends!

This means that you must start to verify and consider and question the very things you do. “Will it please God if I do this?” Will it please the Lord if I spend this time in this way?” Will it please God if I watch this movie? In all things, concerning all things, to prove and be attentive and considerate in all things “will it please the Lord if I spend my time with this rather than that (for example: watching TV, talking etc than praying, witnessing, studying, etc)

“… See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, “

So what Paul is saying here in verse 15 to 17 is: “be very attentive and careful to walk in such close circle to seek what would please the Lord. That is – “see how you are walking, with a view to your being circumspect (literally, accurate, exact) in your walk.!”

Consider this:

A. “Circumspectly” - Exactly, with the utmost accuracy, getting to the highest pitch of every point of holiness.

B. “Not as fools” - Who think not where they are going, or do not make the best of their way.

The word “circumspect”, from the Latin circirmspicio, signifies to look round about on all hands; to be every way watchful, wary, and cautious, in order to avoid danger.

This then denotes continuance and progression – it is “a walk”; with patience and courage: this walk should be seen to, and watched over; a man should see to it that he does walk, and to the way in which he walks, and how he walks; that he walks circumspectly, with his eyes about him; that he walks with diligence, caution, accuracy, and exactness, to the uttermost of his strength and power; and with wisdom and prudence, looking well to his going:

not as fools, but as wise; such walk like fools, whose eyes are not upon their ways; who walk in their own ways, which are crooked, and ways of darkness, and lead to destruction; who walk after the flesh, … with lamps, but no oil in them: and not such walk as wise men, who walk according to the rule of God's word, who make Christ their pattern (1 Pt 2:21; 4:1-3), have the Spirit for their guide (Gal 5:16-18), and walk as becomes the Gospel of Christ (Eph 4:17-19; Ph 1:27; 1 Pt 4:3) inoffensively to all men (1 Cor 10:31-32), in wisdom towards them that are without (Col 4:2), and in love to them that are within (2 Jh 1:6; Eph 5:2) and as pilgrims and strangers in this world (1 Pt 2:11; Heb 11:13), looking for a better country (Heb 11:16); and so as to promote the glory of God (Matt 6:33; 1 Cor 10:31), and the good of souls (Jude 1:22-23; James 5:20; Prov 24:11, 12).

If you will heed these things, you will know and be able to understand what the will of the Lord is!

This is how you will find God’s will for your life! The Will of the Lord must be my food; it must be my sustaining power.

“Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.” (Jh 4:34 Amp)

My continual prayer and desire in all things must be: “Lord let your will be done on earth, in all my life, in every little thing I do, in my family, in my church, in my speech, etc, EXACTLY as it is done in heaven, with promptness and with joy, immediately” and then God will reveal His will to you and lead you, working in you what is pleasing in His sight.

“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” (Rom 12:1-2 Ampl)

May you by walking in the light be brought into the fuller and complete light so that you may please Him in all things, The Lord’s desire for you is “that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God,” and “to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:” “And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God that His glory may be both manifested and recognized].” (Col4; 1; Ph 1)

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb 13:20 – 21)

When you follow these things, the very will of God will be active in your life!

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed (the key that unlocks God’s will – John 7:17), not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (What we have seen in Eph 5:15-17) …For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Ph 2:12 – 13)

Let us review this, for you to find God’s will for your life and in many different things, you must:

1. First know and come to know God’s revealed will and then comes conformed to that and then you will be able to discern the other as well. No one can know the specific will of the Lord who is not obedient to the revealed will of the Lord. If you do not walk in the light God have already given you, why should God give you more?

2. To understand the will of the Lord you must not walk without considering you life, you must not merely live your life, but you must be very attentive to the way in which you live. You must give much thought to your everyday life and the choices you make and even the time you spend! This means that you must start to verify and consider and question the very things you do. “Will it please God if I do this?” Will it please the Lord if I spend this time in this way?” In all things, concerning all things, to prove and be attentive and considerate in all things “will it please the Lord if I spend my time with this rather than that?”

Please go through these things again, meditate upon these things and do them, put it into practice in your life and you will experience the will of God working in you to not only will and to do what pleases the Lord! Then will the following message be of great blessing to your life as you find God’s will in all that you do!

You can also listen to a mp3 message that deals with finding God’s Will

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