KNOWING GODS WILL

Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:17

Anyone who desires to know God's will can trust that God will show them His will. The Word of God tells us that God wants us to know Him personally and to live in a way that reflects Him. God's will can be known and demonstrated.

When we speak of God's will, we are referring to the divine plan that God has for each person and for the world. The Bible shows us that God's will is not something vague or mysterious, but rather it is clear, good, and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 invites us not to conform to this world, but to renew our minds so that we may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

God's will is understandable and verifiable (Romans 12:2). This passage presents an important sequence: we refuse to conform to the world and, instead, allow the Spirit to transform us. As our minds are renewed according to the things of God, we can know the perfect will of God.

Human will is quite simple: when we want something to happen, we desire it; when we do something, we show our will concerning it. God's will is more complex. It is important to understand that God's will is presented in different aspects in the Bible:

1) His sovereign will (decree – hidden) is revealed in His immutable decrees. Only He knows it. He decreed that there should be light, and there was light; this is an example of His effective decree (Genesis 1:3). When He allowed Satan to torment Job, this was an example of His permissive decree (Job 1:12).

2) His revealed will (permissive) is contained in His word; His precepts are clearly established. He gives them to us so that we may walk in holiness. We have the ability (but not the right) to break these commandments.

3) His dispositional will (perceptive – ordained) is His attitude; these are the commandments and teachings that God gives us to live in holiness.

LIVING SACRIFICES:

Paul describes the worship of God as becoming living sacrifices for Him, giving up seeking what we desire in life and learning to know and serve God's will. Paul describes a lifestyle of Self-denial.

Paul writes that we should no longer conform to the world. The word "world" refers to the "worldly system" or the way all human beings live. John described this worldly way of life as "the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16).

Paul tells us to abandon the pursuit of pleasure and possessions and to stop living like everyone else. Instead, he urges us to be transformed from the inside out. Specifically, he writes that we must change our way of thinking, that our minds must be renewed so that we can begin to understand God's will for our lives.

Paul encourages us to learn to see life from a new perspective: What does God want for me? What is the truly good, acceptable, and perfect use of my life for His purposes and not just for my own?

Romans 12:1-2 answers the question. The answer is to become living and constant sacrifices, dedicating our lives to the service of God as a continuous act of worship. To achieve this, we will need to free ourselves from the world and change our mindset so that we can understand what God wants. Then we will know how to live.

THE RENEWAL OF THE MIND AND SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION:

Renewing the mind means changing the way we think so that it is aligned with God's will. It is not just a superficial change, but a profound transformation that affects our decisions and attitudes.

Practices such as daily Bible reading, meditating on its teachings, and personal reflection help cultivate this renewal. When our mind is transformed, our life also changes, and we can better discern what God wants for us.

KNOWING GOD'S WILL:

Knowing God's will is sometimes difficult because it requires patience. It is natural to want to know all of God's will at once, but that is not how He works. He reveals it to us one step at a time; each movement is a step of faith. The important thing is that, while we wait for Him to continue guiding us, we are busy doing the good that we know we should do (James 4:17).

If you are walking closely with the Lord and truly desiring His will for your life, God will place His own desires in your heart. The key is to desire God's will, not your own. When we communicate with God, we don't ask for what we want, but rather we talk to Him about what He wants for us. We must be willing to ask Him and then listen to what He wants to tell us. If we have already made a decision, it will be difficult to hear what the Lord wants us to do.

Often, we want God to give us specific details: where to work, where to live, whom to marry, what car to buy, etc. God allows us to make decisions, and if we submit to Him, He has ways of preventing wrong decisions (Acts 16:6-7).

When seeking God's will, we must make sure that what we are considering is not something that the Bible prohibits. For example, the Bible prohibits stealing; Since God has spoken clearly on the subject, we know it is not His will for us to be bank robbers; we don't even need to pray about it. Furthermore, we should make sure that what we are considering glorifies God and helps us and others grow spiritually.

The better we know a person, the more familiar we are with their desires. For example, a child might see the ball that rolled away across a busy street, but he doesn't run after it because he knows, "My dad wouldn't want me to do that." He doesn't need to ask his father for advice in every situation; he knows what his father would say because he knows him. The same is true in our relationship with God. As we walk with the Lord, obeying His Word and trusting in His Spirit, we find that we are given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We know Him, and that helps us to know His will. We find God's guidance readily available (Proverbs 11:5). If we walk closely with the Lord and sincerely desire His will for our lives, God will put His desires in our hearts. The key is to want God's will, not our own (Psalm 37:4).

Many people say they would like to know God's will for them regarding a particular situation. Is such knowledge possible? First, we should ask ourselves, "Does God want us to know His will?" The answer is "yes!" In the most basic sense, that is why He has given us His Word. Furthermore, obedience depends on knowledge. How can we obey Him if we don't know what He wants us to do?

Paul taught that we can discern God's will (Colossians 1:9, 4:12). Paul commands his readers to understand God's will (Ephesians 5:17). And we are to “test and approve what God’s will is” (Romans 12:2). Seeking to know God's will is a worthy pursuit.

Ephesians 5:17 says, “Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” This imperative is embedded in a broader discussion of the Christian life. As believers, we are to “walk in love” (v. 2) and “walk as children of light” (v. 9). By doing so, we can understand what the Lord’s will is for our lives.

In Ephesians 5, Paul describes the appropriate behavior for all believers. Since we have been transformed by Christ, we are not to “participate in the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). These things are fruitless because they do not produce God’s righteousness. In contrast, believers are to “walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” (v. 9). By walking in the light, we can “discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (v. 10).

Ephesians 5:17 contrasts foolishness with discerning or understanding the Lord’s will. The implication is that true wisdom is linked to understanding. In Scripture, foolishness is described as a moral and spiritual deficit caused by failing to submit to God’s wisdom.

To understand God’s will, we must study and meditate on Scripture, which is the primary way God communicates with us. Regarding the necessity and sufficiency of Scripture, Paul writes (2 Timothy 3:16-17). By studying, meditating on, and obeying God's Word, our minds are renewed and transformed, and we can “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

The Holy Spirit also plays a fundamental role in helping us understand God's will. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who guides believers into all truth. In Ephesians, the Spirit guides us in making sound ethical decisions (Ephesians 5:18-21). To discern and understand God's will, we must “be filled with the Spirit” (v. 18). This is a continuous process of walking in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

PRACTICAL STEPS TO KNOWING GOD'S WILL:

The Bible reveals a beautiful plan for our lives. We can know with certainty many aspects of God's plan because they are revealed in His Word. Other parts we discover as we walk in close fellowship with God.

1. Constant and sincere prayer: Talk to God as you would to a friend, opening your heart and asking for clarity.

2. Bible study and meditation: The Word is the light that illuminates our path and shows us what God wants.

3. Renewal of the mind: Change your thoughts to align them with biblical principles, avoiding conforming to what the world offers.

4. Seek godly counsel: Community and spiritual leaders can help us discern better.

5. Evaluate the circumstances: Observe the doors that God opens or closes in your life.

6. Listen to your inner voice: The desire that God places in your heart is an important sign.

7. Confirmation through inner peace: God's true will brings peace and freedom, not confusion or fear.

These steps are not magical or instantaneous, but they are effective if you apply them with consistency and faith. Have you ever experienced a feeling of peace after praying and meditating that confirms you're on the right path? That's divine guidance at work.