8 Ways to Discover God’s Will
As we continue in our quest to understand and pursue God’s ultimate will for our lives, to follow are eight ways the Father helps us discover His will and the plans He has for us.
- Communion With God Through Scripture — Through His Word, God teaches us what the Christian life should look like, what no longer fits us as His children, and how to avoid the pitfalls of life (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In other words, the Bible teaches us what the Father desires for us to do and helps us to accomplish it. It’s His instruction book for living. And He’ll never lead us to or tell us anything that contradicts what He’s written in His Word.
- Circumstances of Life — God speaks to us through the circumstances of our lives—where He puts us, the situations we find ourselves in, and the people He places around us. He’s continually working in our lives on a moment-by-moment basis to direct us in His will and accomplish it through us (Rom. 8:28).
- Counsel — God speaks to us through the godly counsel of other believers. Sometimes we need the help of other Christians to know what to do in areas we’re unaccustomed with. This is why Scripture admonishes us to teach one another with love, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5).
- Conscience — Another factor in discerning God’s will is through our conscience, which is the inner voice that acts as a moral filter. It’s the alarm that goes off within us when we’re tempted to do something that isn’t right or when we head in the wrong direction (Rom. 2:14-15).
- Common Sense — The Spirit-controlled believer is to use his or her mind and common sense when discerning the will of God (Titus 2:11–12)
- Compulsion — The Lord gives you the strong desire or the impulse to do His will according to the promptings of His Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:13).
- Contentment — We discern God’s will through the contentment or tranquility we feel when proceeding on a course of action. When you’re working against the Lord, you’ll feel spiritual friction that makes you uncomfortable; when you’re in the center of God’s will, you’ll feel peace with Him (Phil. 4:7).
- Communication With God Through Prayer — As we bring our questions and concerns to God in prayer, He promises to make sense of what we’re experiencing and will help us understand how He desires for us to proceed (Ps. 119:105).
God is continually deploying His resources on your behalf. He’s the One who is using all the ways mentioned above to show you His wonderful will for your life. Don’t be afraid about missing the Father’s will or misinterpreting what He’s trying to say. He’s able to speak to you clearly and will empower you to do whatever He calls you to do.
All you have to do is make sure to pay attention to Him, listen, and then obey.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 NIV
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
Romans 2:14-15 NIV
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age
Titus 2:11-12 NIV
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13 NIV
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
Psalm 119:105 NIV
a light on my path.