How can I know God’s will for my life?
There’s no simple formula for knowing God’s will, because if there was, we would seek the formula instead of seeking the God behind the formula. If we want to know God’s will for our life, we must seek to know God. However, there are some key Bible verses that give us some counsel about this process (emphasis supplied throughout):
1. Ask for Wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
We need God’s wisdom if we want to fulfill His will in our lives. To receive this, we simply need to humble ourselves and ask for this gift.
2. Listen for His Voice
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.” Psalm 32:8–9
Sometimes we don’t want to know the will of God. Maybe we don’t want to listen or surrender. But if we humble ourselves and listen to His counsel, we will be set on the right path.
3. Seek Godly Counsel
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14
It is no secret that God works through others to bless and help us in times of need. Sometimes it proves to be a great blessing to heed the experience and wise advice of other godly men and women.
4. Wait for His Peace
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6–7
When we experience His peace, we know that we are following His will. Christ says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. God wants to give us that peace and assurance, and it is in this blessed state of genuine peace that we can know that we are fulfilling His will for us.
5. Abide in Obedience
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21–23
“I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Luke 6:46
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3–4
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:9–10
We cannot abide in the love of God nor be in His will without living in obedience to His Holy Law. We do not obey to gain salvation, but rather because we love Him (John 14:15). As Christians, it is essential that we understand the role of obedience to God’s Law in our lives. If we are to one day inherit the Kingdom of God, then we must learn now how to abide in His love, in obedience to Heaven’s laws.
If we abide in Him, and He in us, then we will no doubt be living in His will.