Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
We often hear the phrase “God’s will” especially when a person is trying to make a major decision or take a major step in life. The words ‘God’s will’ have been a blessing to many but to many others it has proven to be confusing, daunting and seem hard to figure out. God’s will for all His children is “good and pleasing and perfect” and it is possible for every one of His children to learn to know His will.
How is it that some seem to know God’s will like the back of their hands while others struggle with finding and knowing God’s will? How exactly can one learn to know God’s will for him? How will one know if they indeed know God’s will?
First of all, it is not possible to know God’s will without having the Holy Spirit of God. One of the graces God has given us through the Holy Spirit is that we have an inner witness who bears witness to what is true. So for one to know God’s will, one must be born again and have the Holy Spirit deposited in them.
Secondly one must have access to the truth for the Holy Spirit to bear His witness. God’s word is truth so for one to know God’s will then one must study God’s word. One of the benefits of knowing and studying God’s word is that it will help to discern what our thoughts and intents are and if they line up with what God’s word teaches
Thirdly a mind that is set on flesh cannot know nor accept God’s will; in fact it is not able to do so according to the bible. So for one to know God’s will one must renew the mind so that it can accept God’s will. Renewing the mind means that instead of operating according to one’s will you must go to God’s word not only to know what His will is but also to change the way you think so that it lines with what God’s word says.
God’s will for a person that is born again and who studies the word with a mind that is renewed daily will always be good, acceptable and perfect. It is not true that God has three separate wills as we so often hear. Some say that God’s will is either good or acceptable or perfect. This is not the case but rather God’s will is all three. God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect always. It’s either you are doing God’s will or you are not. God doesn’t bend to accept our will, no. He requires us to accept His will if we are to please Him.
Finally, for every one of God’s children who wants to know and do His will, God can work in them so they have a desire for His will and also have the ability to do it. He will work in them so that they will always see His will as a good thing. It will be good to them because they have renewed their mind to become set on the Spirit and His leading. They will see His will as acceptable because they know He will work His will out and they don’t have to do it in their own strength. They will see His will as perfect because it comes from God and all good and perfect gifts come from God.
John 17:7 “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth”
Romans 8:5-7 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so”
Philippians 2:13 “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him”
James 1:17 “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
Temitope Talabi is a founding member of The Trent Voices currently reside in Austin, TX. She graduated with a PharmD from Texas Southern University in Houston, TX. She works as a community pharmacist and spends her spare time writing to build and encourage others through the word of God. Temitope is also currently working on a series of self-help books created to empower people to take charge of their health and wellness, the first of which is scheduled to be released early next year.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
