# How to find God's will Depending on the use of the word "will", God technically has three of them: 1. The unchanging [reality](reality.md) He built before time began. - This is the Father's viewpoint, and can't change. 2. His [desired](purpose.md) wish of what humanity's choices will be. - This is Jesus' viewpoint, and is concerned with salvation. 3. His directions, which aren't technically "wrong" or "right" in a [moral](morality.md) sense. - This is the Holy Spirit's viewpoint, and is subject to daily shifts and changes. - We usually mention His directions when we talk about God's will, and the primary cause of most Christians' anxiety. All Christians must learn to submit to God - Full submission isn't the same as being completely [sin](morality-sins.md)-free (1 John 1:8). God gives us a season of distance to make us grow through submission: - This journey is a spiritual [rite of passage](maturity.md) ([Exodus](https://biblehub.com/bsb/exodus/1.htm), [Matthew 4:1-10](https://biblehub.com/bsb/matthew/4.htm)). - God designed that hardship to provoke us to better [spiritual exercises](spiritual-exercises.md) ([2 Corinthians 4:7-10](https://biblehub.com/bsb/2_corinthians/4.htm)). - Some believers presume *all* life with Christ is this wilderness, while others imagine that it simply never happens. There are some clear signs we haven't submitted: - Using past and current events to define the future, in any capacity - Failing to take [personal responsibility](meaning.md) - Desiring an easier or more enjoyable life - Excessive complaining or negativity - Compulsions for instant gratification - Self-pity, self-loathing, or strong sense of worthlessness - Enviousness and jealousy - Unwilling to try alternative or [unconventional](habits.md) methods An entirely submissive Christian wants to do anything God wants: - Authentic expression of faith through worship and devotion to God - Very little concern for circumstances they can't control - Willing to sacrifice anything for others' benefit - A strong focus on God's desires over personal goals or others' desires ## God doesn't usually provide details about His will God directs people for several reasons at once: - To build our character and holiness. - To help us submit and adapt to God's kingdom. - To help us make wise decisions. He gives us what we need, but never more than that. - We are given enough information to go through our day, and that's it. - He makes it *very* clear that we aren't supposed to worry about tomorrow ([Matthew 6:25-34](https://biblehub.com/bsb/matthew/6.htm)). When we aren't at peace, we seek God's will for a few key reasons: 1. Anxiety or fear of perceived [consequences](results.md) ([Philippians 4:6-7](https://biblehub.com/bsb/philippians/4.htm)). 2. [Fear](mind-feelings-fear.md) that we'll be held [responsible](meaning.md) for our [choices](people-decisions.md) ([Galatians 6:7-8](https://biblehub.com/bsb/galatians/6.htm)). 3. Our [desires](purpose.md) are split between personal fulfillment and following God ([Revelation 3:16](https://biblehub.com/revelation/3-16.htm)). We should only want to know God's will because we sincerely desire to please Him (i.e., "The Lord is leading" instead of "God told me to"). He typically chastises sins quickly ([Psalm 23:4](https://biblehub.com/psalms/23-4.htm)), but gives us the freedom to explore if we're living life wisely. We do *not* find God's will with vague premonitions or divining: 1. [Feelings](mind-feelings.md) toward certain decisions. 2. Randomly selected Bible verses that confirm a belief or choice. 3. Anything that contradicts a passage in the Bible. We should want wisdom more than specific guidance: - Wisdom is both fear and knowledge of God. - Biblical wisdom is a disciplined and prudent life with a fear of the Lord ([Proverbs 9:10](https://biblehub.com/proverbs/9-10.htm)). - Wisdom is more important than silver or gold ([Proverbs 8:11](https://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-11.htm)). - We should longingly seek for wisdom. - Wisdom gives freedom and life through understanding it ([Proverbs 4:6-7](https://biblehub.com/bsb/proverbs/4.htm)). Discipline yourself to wisdom: - Pray consistently. - Ask advice from wise people in the [Church](church.md). - Read the Bible frequently. - Take time to consider decisions. - Research and learn anything you need to know. - Focus strictly on things you can change and trust God for the rest. ## God's will is relatively simple to understand A. Have an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ: - He wants everyone to [come to repentance](jesus-gospel.md) for their [sins](morality-sins.md) ([2 Peter 3:9](https://biblehub.com/2_peter/3-9.htm), [John 3:16](https://biblehub.com/john/3-16.htm)). - Deeply understand Jesus and who you are with him. - Purse Christ above everything else instead of as a religion or mystical experience. B. Let God sanctify you: - Sanctification is setting something aside for a holy purpose ([1 Thessalonians 4](https://biblehub.com/bsb/1_thessalonians/4.htm)). - Remove any [sins](morality-sins.md) that could get in between you and God. - Be holy like Jesus ([1 Peter 1:15-16](https://biblehub.com/bsb/1_peter/1.htm)). C. Let God fill you with the Holy Spirit: - Live by the power of the Holy Spirit, not [feelings](mind-feelings.md) or [knowledge](understanding.md) ([Galatians 5:16-25](https://biblehub.com/bsb/galatians/5.htm), [1 Corinthians 10:31](https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/10-31.htm), [Ephesians 5:17](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-17.htm)). D. Stay humble with everyone: - Practice [spiritual exercises](spiritual-exercises.md) and [change bad habits](https://adequate.life/habits/) as you discover them ([1 Peter 2](https://biblehub.com/bsb/1_peter/2.htm)). E. Suffer righteously: 1. God permits difficulty and [hardship](hardship.md) to [educate](education.md) us ([1 Peter 4:19](https://biblehub.com/1_peter/4-19.htm)). 2. We endure the trials long enough to learn the lesson, with progressively worse situations, until we've experienced what we needed to endure. 3. Once we've completed a trial, He gives us rest to recover from the struggle, then gives us another trial. F. Act when He calls us to special projects: - There is a time and place for everything under the sun ([Ecclesiastes 3:1-8](https://biblehub.com/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm)). - Most of the Bible involves people who were performing a relatively uninteresting life until God called them to a (typically unexpected) interesting role. G. Thank Him for His availability and your situation: - One of the most significant signs of a healthy Christian walk is gratitude ([Ephesians 5](https://biblehub.com/bsb/ephesians/5.htm)). - In general, Christians should have nothing to [be afraid](mind-feelings-fear.md) of, not even *death* ([1 Corinthians 15:54-58](https://biblehub.com/bsb/1_corinthians/15.htm)). ## We complicate His will God *never* permits sinful lifestyles: - He despises [sin](morality-sins.md) with a fierce passion ([Isaiah 59:2](https://biblehub.com/isaiah/59-2.htm)) - Many people will blame God or others for the [consequences](results.md) of their actions. - Each Christian must take control of their own [decisions](people-decisions.md) before God gives them anything else. - God's will doesn't give complete license to do whatever we want. We also tend to add aspects of what God wants: - We often want to know God's long-term will, but aren't willing to do His short-term commands. - God doesn't have a perfect target we must constantly hit every time. - God's will isn't a complicated maze with special [rules](people-rules.md) and guidelines for success. - A cynical attitude can easily complicate God's desires. - God is consistent enough that [He'll provide](god-capabilities.md), but He's [creative](mind-creativity.md) enough that He never does the same thing twice. - We don't know His motivations, but we must simply obey Him. The Bible does *not* guarantee external benefits: - Health, physical wellness or a long life on earth - Success in any form - Physical redemption from past sins - A leisurely or effortless life - Financial prosperity - Literal, direct messages or words from Him or angels - Reasonable and low-stress challenges - God *frequently* gives you more than you can handle to force you to rely on Him! - A stable lifestyle - Christians usually transition through cycles of hardship and prosperity ([Philippians 4:11-13](https://biblehub.com/bsb/philippians/4.htm)) - Any of the above for someone you care about ## While in His will, you can do whatever you want If you have the right attitude with Him, *anything* you do is His will: If you have the right attitude with Him, *anything* you do is His will: - God cares *far* more about your relationship with Him than [doctrines](theology.md), [churches](church.md), [living situation](homes-buysell.md), [career decisions](jobs-1_why.md), [friendships](people-4_friends.md), [relationships](relationships-marriage.md), and [family decisions](parenting-babies.md) ([Matthew 10:37](https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-37.htm)). - Eat and drink what you want, assuming it doesn't harm others' conscience ([1 Corinthians 8](https://biblehub.com/bsb/1_corinthians/8.htm)). - Travel or live anywhere you want, assuming He didn't call you to go somewhere ([Acts 8:26-27](https://biblehub.com/bsb/acts/8.htm)). - [Associate](people-4_friends.md) with anyone you want, assuming you weren't called to a specific ministry. - In general, adopt any lifestyle you want that's [loving](people-love.md). On a more practical level, the most sufficient fulfillment of His will comes through [daily rituals in Christ](spiritual-exercises.md) and [serving others](church-serve.md).