There are many books written on the will of God. What is the will of God? The meaning can be lost in the onslaught of foolish mystic tendencies. These include praying and waiting to receive a feeling of peace or unpeace in the gut about a certain decision. Not to say that one will not recieve a spiritual peace about a decision based on the will of God. Our faith is based on the truthful fact of the gospel and because of that fact we have certain feelings. Let us figure out what will of God is and some practical questions to ask when seeking to make a decision on a certain matter.
First off, we know that God has a sovereign will, meaning he is in control of everything that goes on in the universe. God's sovereign will cannot be fully understood and sometimes it really leaves us asking the question why in certain situations. But we can be sure that he knows what is best for us.
Next we have God's revealed will. When we, as Christians, are trying to understand what God wants us to do in regard to a certain decision we need focus on His scriptures. When faced with seemingly insignificant decisions or monumental decisions there are basic biblical questions that we can ask ourselves.
1. Will it glorify God?
I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." How do we know what will glorify God? From his revealed will. Our relationship with God is most important. If the action will not glorify God, then don't do it.
2. Will it build up other believers?
Ephesians 4:15-16 says, "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love." A close relationship with God expects a edifying relationship with believers. The New Testament, especially Ephesians, is filled with examples, rebukes, and commands on how to build up our fellow believer.
3. Will it build a good witness with unbelievers?
1 Peter 2:12 says, "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." As believers one of our main tasks is bringing the gospel of our Lord to the world. God expects certain guidelines on how we are to act toward the unbeliever as we do this. 1 Peter is a helpful book on figuring out how to behave toward the unbeliever.
4. Will it be the wisest thing to do?
Ephesians 5:15 says, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Right after this verse Paul reveals some of God's will to help us be wise or careful in our walk with other believers. Proverbs is filled with this principle of being wise instead of foolish in our decisions and actions toward others.
There are more questions we could add, but this is a basic place to start. Some other helpful tips are: get wise counsel (not foolish, people telling you what you want to hear kind of counsel), so that you can receive good advice; get a accountability partner that will help you think through these questions and search scriptures for answers; and study scripture often, so that you can understandably know the revealed will of God.
Some decision are really hard to make. If you have to choose between two really good decisions, then do your best and choose. God will not punish you for choosing one good choice over another. If you have sought His will as revealed is scripture, know that your decision is what God wants you to do. You don't have to wait for a gut feeling to know if it is the will of God. Let His revealed will be your guide. I pray this is helpful advice in making decisions in your daily life.
