Knowing God’s Will
It is now 2025. What will this year bring? Will 2025 be full of wealth, success, new beginnings, or what? What is in your heart? What do you want more than anything? I remember asking these questions to myself over 65 years ago. My answer was to know the will of God. After all this time, I still want to know His will for my life.
When I was a young Christian, I wished with all my heart that I could know the will of God. I often sent up prayers to heaven saying, “Lord, what do I do now?” It got so bad that I could hardly drive my car because I could not decide if God wanted me in the left or right lane.
Months went by with my continual prayer to God, “What Do I Do Now?” Finally, I was invited to a Bible study, started going to church, and began reading my Bible. The answers came ever so slowly, but fast enough for me to digest and store them away in my heart.
Now, after 65+ years of Bible study, prayer, and life-application, I can say with confidence that I do know and understand “God’s Will” for my life. I am still learning and studying and applying. I even, at times said, “Why didn’t I see that before now?”
I am going to open your eyes if you are blind, refresh your spirit if it is weary and strengthen your personal walk with Jesus, our Savior, by providing the tools needed to keep you keeping on. Hang on! It is sure to be an exciting adventure.
Knowing That You Know
If you call yourself a child of God, you should agree with me that you ought to know the Will of your Heavenly Father. You are openly admitting to a relationship and claiming family rights and access. Are we in agreement so far?
Knowing God is a logical assumption when we claim to be His child. Yet most of the Christian I know have serious doubts about the “Will of God” for them. This can only mean one of two things:
Your relationship with God the Father is not a close one. You pray, He listens, but you rarely feel His presence or hear His Voice….or…
You have claimed to be a child of God but really are not. You know there is something not right but are too ashamed or afraid to admit to not being a child of God.
In either case mentioned above, there is a way to “know that you know” so there is no more doubt. However, knowing that you know takes faith. God is speaking all the time through the Bible, through His Spirit and through other folks that He brings into your life. The quick fix to “Knowing That You Know” is to “Listen And Believe”.
I can say, without a doubt, that I know the Will of God for my life. I can make such a claim because God, my Heavenly Father, has published 66 books that contain over 3,000 promises and many great statements as to what His will is for His children. It is all there in the Bible, just waiting for me to dig it out, “Listen and believe”.
To know that you know is a great feeling because there is no anxiety in it. I know and have been persuaded that this way is the right way and my new perspective brings me a lot of comfort, peace, and hope for the future.
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
The Bible says, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:15-17
As the scripture says, the Spirit of God will bear witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. If you have ever felt, seen or otherwise realized the witness of God’s Spirit, you will know without a shadow of a doubt, that you are a child of God…. and if a child also a joint heir with Christ.
How Does The Holy Spirit
Bear Witness With Our Spirit?
Notice that the apostle Paul did not say that the Spirit bears witness with our flesh, our souls, or minds. He did not say the witness would be through the intellect. He said the witness would be from Spirit to spirit. That means it could be one of many gentle quiet assurances that we did the right thing at the right time. It could be a sense of stability when things are going rough. It could be an “I just know” feeling.
The point here is that God’s Spirit is talking to us and our spirit is listening and rejoicing that it can hear God when He speaks. One definite witness, that I can recall, is when I read the scriptures, they started jumping off the page with new and fresh revelation. The Bible, all of a sudden, came alive and spoke directly to my spirit. God’s Holy Spirit was and is still confirming to me that I am a child of the Living God.
So we have a quiet assurance and a loud voice that calls us to the Word of God, where we receive faith, instruction, assurance, strength, knowledge, and a lot more. God’s witness is everywhere.
It is Not Rocket Science
Finding God’s will is not rocket science. We have already learned that God’s Holy Spirit is available to confirm or excuse our decisions in life. We also know that it is our” Free Will” that engages truth and activates faith to empower us to walk in the Spirit.
The key to “Knowing That You Know” is absolute submission.
Here is what Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, (God’s Will), he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 17:7
We must be ready and willing to do His Will. When we are, we will know the doctrine or revelation knowledge necessary to accomplish the revealed will of God.
Question! Why should God give us the knowledge of His Will if we are not willing or not ready to use it? That would be a waste of time and energy on God’s part, and He just does not operate that way.
He has, however, already revealed His Will in the pages of the Bible. If we really want to know, we can read and discover and learn and apply all that God has for us. So, let us look at the Bible?
I will take you on a journey so you can discover some of the great and precious promises that prove out what the Will of God is. We will look at several scriptures and discuss them.
God’s Divine Will
As Revealed In The Bible
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26
God wanted to create man (Mankind or Male & Female). His divine will was to create us. He did that in His likeness and image. Then He gave us dominion over the earth and all its life forms.
What does this say to us? Simply this: we were not a mistake, an afterthought or freak mutation of nature that evolved over millions of years. We were a specific, deliberate design to accomplish the goals and objectives of God on the earth.
”And let them have dominion” Genesis 1:26 The word, “Them” is all of us. We were to rule as the “Head” and not the Tail.
Now, let us proceed on our journey to discover the revealed “Will of God.”
Revelation #1…God’s will for our lives is to take dominion over evil and live in such a way as to reveal the image and likeness of God.
Revelation #2… It is God’s will for a man to have a woman at his side. God ordained marriage and joined them together. Where does this leave homosexuality? It was never in the will of God.
Revelation #3… God’s greatest creation, (Mankind), fell into sin and is now in need of a Savior.
The Fall of Man; Death In Adam, Life In Christ (Genesis 3:1-7; Genesis 7:1-5; 2 Peter 3:1-9)
Revelation #4…God loves us & does not want us to perish. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but haveeverlasting life.”John 3:16 Whosoever believes is given eternal life.
Revelation #5…God wants us to repent and accept Jesus as our Savior so we can live in relationship with Him. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 2:9 We must repent of our sin because Salvation is essential to knowing God’s Will.
Revelation #6…God wants us to live life with a thankful heart. This allows God to be God over us and allows us to express our dependence upon Him. It also relieves us from the burden and stress of being our own god. We do not have to be in control of everything. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:17
Revelation #7…God is worthy of our trust and when we trust in, rely upon, and adhere to His voice, He will direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 offersanother “Will of God” Revelation. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
God is immutable, which means He can never change. He does not say one thing and do another. When He speaks… Well, listen to how Isaiah put it…”So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shallaccomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
God is Love… This can only mean that He has no hate in him. His war and revenge is against His enemies who walk in darkness, steal, kill and destroy. His children are the “Apple of His Eye” and the subject of His grace.
God is our Protector…”The Angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7
God really does care for us…”Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22
God is a God of Blessings, Not Curses…(Psalms 1:1-3) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
{2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
{3} He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
God is a God of Peace…. “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20
Because of who He is, we can, with confidence, acknowledge Him, trust Him, disregard our own feelings, and follow His lead. He will always direct our paths.
Revelation #8…God’s highest will is to bring us back to where He had originally intended us to be, in His Image. Thus, He speaks through the pages of the Bible, letting us know that He wants us to set ourselves apart for fellowship with Him. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:” I Thessalonians 4:3
Revelation #9… God wants us to allow the mind of Christ to be in us and to join Him in humility, and servitude so He can highly exalt us with Christ. ”Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ” Philippians 2:5-11
Revelation #10…God wants His Peace to Rule or referee in our hearts.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15 The word “Rule” in verse 15 expresses the intent to “Reign”. It also can be interpreted as Referee, as in a game. Paul is telling the church to allow the peace of God to referee all situations as though they were a game. By doing so, you can use God’s peace as a referee’s whistle. It will blow with anxiety, confusion, worry and so on to let you know that you are off sides and in need of a reconnect with the Holy Spirit to attain His peace and sustain an attitude of thankfulness.
Revelation #11…God wants us to prove what is the good, and perfect will of God.
”And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1 We cannot allow non-believers to define what is or is not an acceptable or perfect will of God. We need to be the Bible that they will not read. We need to demonstrate what good is and what perfect is so others around us can see what the perfect will of God is. The only way to get the job done is to reject the pull of this world into all its sin and be transformed in our minds so we do not fall for the wiles of the devil.
Revelation #12… God wants us to put on the whole armor of God so the devil can’t hurt us.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13
Our fight is with the rulers of darkness. We are fighting because we need to defend ourselves. If we do not, we will become an open game for the devil. Hear what Peter says in I Peter 5:8-9,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
Revelation #13…God Wants Us to Guard our Hearts With All Diligence.
“Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 To keep one’s heart is to guard it with all diligence. It implies that we should act as a gatekeeper that allows good things in and bad things from getting in. God wants us to protect our spiritual growth and resources. They can be depleted and even stolen by the devil.
Revelation #14…God Wants Us to Pray Without Ceasing
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 We pray without ceasing when we start our day talking to God and maintain an atmosphere of prayer all day. We rejoice and give thanks along the way and life flows along like a calm, gentle sea.
Revelation #15…God Wants Us To Have Fellowship With Him.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;” I John 1:1
This simple and bold statement means that one can have a relationship with God. This idea would surprise many of John’s readers, and it should be astounding to us. The Greek mind-set highly prized the idea of fellowship, but restricted to men among men – the idea of such an intimate relationship with God was revolutionary.
Revelation #16…God Wants Us To Seek His Kingdom First, Above All Else In life.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33). The verse’s meaning is as direct as it sounds. We are to seek the things of God as a priority over the things of the world. Primarily, it means we are to seek the salvation that is inherent in the kingdom of God because it is of greater value than all the world’s riches.
Revelation #17…God wants us to be filled with His Holy Spirit
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” Ephesians 5:18-19 This scripture clearly reveals God’s Will for His Followers: Do not get drunk, Be Filled and Sing. I want to focus more closely on being filled with the Spirit. I am sure you will agree that he is not referring to the spirit of evil or the human spirit of which we are already absorbed. It is obvious that the Spirit we need to be filled with is none other than the Spirit of The Lord.
Revelation #18… God Wants Us to Know That He Is Working Everything Together For Good.
Why should we Trust God, Give Thanks, Pray Without Ceasing, and follow all the other teachings of Jesus? I would venture to say because of Romans 8:28 ,” And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God’s will is clearly revealed but only accomplished in the lives of those that Love God and are the called according to His purposes. We also know that God calls everyone to repentance and salvation (John 3:16) The next pre-qualifier is that we love God.
I am sure you will see even more scriptures that will reveal the “Will of God” for your life as you keep reading the Bible. I have listed some more prominent ones so you can get a feel for what to look for as you read.
So far, we have discovered 18 that should be active in our lives today. These revelation truths are more than enough to fully persuade a serious God-seeker that His will is centered on us and our destiny is in Him.
The best way to find God’s will for your life is not to ask friends, family, or anyone else. They are not God and often are wrong in their own decisions, which, if I am right, will show up in their lives as a testimony against them.
The best way to know God’s will is to ask God in prayer, stay in the Bible and look for direction, correction, and guidance. It is all there. If you start a log of scripture verses and what they specifically meant to you, you will have a history to refer to when you feel lost or confused.
The Best way to live in this world is to apply the scriptures and live in them moment by moment. The truth you find in the scriptures will far exceed what this world has to offer. If you can even attempt to do this, you will become fully persuaded that God is able and willing to be with you in every life situation.
Until next Time
John Marinelli, Author & Poet
johnmarinelli@embarqmail.com