God's will???

How can I know God's will for my life?

1. The Bible

Sounds cliche, but it's true. Now, you might say, "but it doesn't say anything specifically for my life personally, like if i should be a doctor." But the Bible gives us various commands and instruction. The question we need to ask is "what decision would allow me to obey these commands more or more effectively?"

For example: The Bible commands us to be committed to our local church. If we are trying to decide between two jobs, and one of them will prevent us from attending church, then it most likely wouldn't be God's will to take that particular job. You can always ask "which job would allow me to be more committed to my ministry?" - because that is essentially what a secular job would be for anyways - to be a support for our ultimate priority.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"


2. Check Yo-self

Is there any sin in your life that may be preventing you from seeing God's will. If we are living in sin, we most likely won't be desiring God's will in the first place. Romans 12:2 - "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."

3. The Holy Spirit

Are we being led/controlled by the Holy Spirit? This will be going hand in hand with checking sin in your life.
Ephesians 5:17-18 "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit"

4. Suffering

How committed are we to being obedient to God's word? The Bible promises that if we are being obedient to Christ, that we will be suffering.
Philippians 1:29 "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,"
2 Timothy 3:12 "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted"

5. God's glory

What will bring God the most glory? This goes back to the first point.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: "To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Psalm 50:15: "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (It seems we often use this verse to justify what we wantGod's will to be)

6. Our Desire

If we have done 1-5, then I believe that God will often give us the desire to do His will. So the last question would be "what do i want to do?" Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart."

But be careful with that one. There are many cases in the Bible where God wanted people to do what they didn't want to. (Moses, Jonah, Peter) But that is most likely because they weren't doing steps 1-5!