Discerning God’s Will

Today my message is entitled “Discerning God’s Will”. I have had quite a few people coming to me asking how to know if God is leading and how to know what God wants them to do and if it is the right time to do it. Then, in my reading, God has put a bunch of articles in front of me on this topic. So I have discerned that God wants this talked about.

First, we have to establish a connection to God to be able to hear Him. There are things we will not get right away or ever, but there are truths revealed to us to use.

Deut. 29:29 NIV
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Once we know a truth, we are to follow it. This will make us able to hear the next truth that God gives us and then we transform into God’s image.

Romans 12: 2 NIV
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Galatians 1: 3-5 NIV (This world)
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 17: 2 NIV (be transformed)
There He (Jesus) was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light.

2 Corinthians 3: 18 NIV (be transformed)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

We must renew our mind (study Scripture, pray, think on the things of God) first and then God will reveal His good, pleasing and perfect will for us.

Now that we have renewed our minds, it is time to discern God’s will for each of us.

Juan R. Sanchez, in his article in Lifeways Pastors July 2019 edition, gives us five questions to discern God’s Will.

What does the Bible say? Read it and pray over it.
Do you have a heart for God?
Psalm 34: 7-8 NIV “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
What are mature, wise, Godly counsellors saying?
Do you see God’s providential hand at work? Opened doors and closed windows. Notice this is after the first three questions!
What is the wisest course of action?
We need to remember that if what’s before us is not contrary to Scripture, if we’re pursuing God and walking in the Spirit, if mature, godly friends are encouraging us, and if any number of decisions will please the Lord, then we just need to make a decision.

This is almost exactly what I have used for all my Christian life to discern what God has planned for me. Not always did I follow through with what was indicated by this process and I suffered with the consequences. Remember Jonah and the whale? A great example of choosing not to go where God wants you too.

Thankfully, I have made the decision to follow God most times and watched as God used my obedience to influence others to look to God for guidance.

This is how you can discern God’s will, if you are willing!