I’m a part of a few different Christian Facebook groups and I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I see questions from other believers about how to know what God’s will is for them in the specific circumstances in their life. And how they can know they’re within that will if they aren’t hearing God’s whisper in a still, small voice or getting some sort of tangible confirmation from God.
This was me up until a little over a year ago! I was constantly waiting, listening, searching, striving. I used to put so much pressure on myself to hear God’s voice or whisper. When I didn’t, I assumed it was because I did something wrong, or didn’t do something He wanted me to do. My church leaders’ voices streamed through my mind, “If you aren’t hearing from God, go back to the last thing He asked you to do… did you do it?” I’d think so hard, ‘what DID He ask me to do? How do I know it was from Him? Did I obey? What if I can’t remember?’ So much mental anguish jumping through all the hoops. Maybe you can relate to this?
It wasn’t until I watched American Gospel that I realized what a burden all of that stuff actually was. It was putting me into bondage. And I eventually had a realization: ‘What if it’s not about hearing God’s voice for every little decision? What if it’s just about making wise, God-honoring decisions that don’t contradict what He has already said in scripture?’
I truly hope this can be an encouragement for you, as it was for me. Let’s stop putting so much pressure on ourselves and each other for ‘tangible confirmation’ from God. Are you wondering what job is right for you? Well, what are some good, God-honoring options that you could do with your skill set or education? Teacher? Assistant? Security guard? Cook? All of these are things you can do to the glory of God, so then it’s a matter of your work ethic once you’re in the position. Maybe you’re wondering about a major purchase in your life, like a home or vehicle. Can you realistically afford the purchase? Are you ready for all the extra expenses that come along with it? Is it a purchase that honors God, or is there another option that would? One last example… let’s say you’re wondering if you should marry that person. Are they a true believer (equally yoked)? Do you see spiritual fruit in their life as defined in Galatians 5? Finally, can you commit to loving that person (as in putting their needs above your own) for the rest of your life?
Sometimes I think we have a tendency to overcomplicate the choices in our lives and then procrastinate on making the wise decision when we think we need some sort of tangible confirmation from God on it. Maybe He’ll make it clear that it’s the right path, but maybe He won’t and it’ll be left to us to decide and act on it. Let’s look in scripture to see what God says on this topic in His Word…
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:1-3 ESV
According to these verses, we know we’re in God’s will when:
- we do what is considered righteous in God’s eyes.
- we are not conformed to the world’s ways.
- we don’t think of ourselves too highly, but to judge ourselves soberly.
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
According to these verses, we know we’re in God’s will when:
- we respect and highly esteem our brothers and sisters in Christ who labor among us and counsel/correct us.
- we are at peace with our brothers and sister in Christ.
- we counsel/correct the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, are patient.
- we seek to do good to all.
- we rejoice always.
- we pray consistently.
- we give thanks to God in all circumstances.
- we don’t quench the Spirit.
- we don’t despise prophecies, but test everything and hold fast to what is good and true.
- we abstain from every form of evil.
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." 1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV
According to these verses, we know we’re in God’s will when:
- we are subject to our authority figures, whether good or evil, and make an example of what is good to the foolish.
- we use our freedoms as living servants of God, not to cover-up evil.
- we honor everyone.
- we love those in the body of Christ.
- we fear God.
- we honor those in government.
"Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you." 1 Thessalonians 4:1-6 ESV
According to these verses, we know we’re in God’s will when:
- we abstain from sexual immorality.
- we control our bodies and do not give in to lust.
- we don’t sin against our brothers and sisters in Christ in these ways.
These are just a handful of scriptures that pertain to the will of God, but I’m sure you get the idea. And, in this case, I absolutely recommend using Google (or whatever search engine) if you’re wanting to look more in depth at what the Bible says about God’s will. There are a lot of great resource sites that will list out scriptures for you to use as a launching pad in your study time. Just remember to read more than a single verse so that you can gain sight of the context. I really hope this can bless someone out there. I know how much I struggled with this for nearly the first 9 years of my faith walk.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
Robin 💜
TransformerGirl Blog 