There is perhaps no greater confusion among Christians than in what it means to follow God’s will. Everyone wants to know God’s will for their lives, but so many seem to have no idea what that will is. I used to think this was an issue just for newer or less mature Christians, but over the years I’ve heard people who have been following Christ for years express the same questions about wondering what God’s will is for them in their situation.
No doubt you’ve heard the admonition to pray for God’s will, but people have a tendency to take that on a personal level as opposed to seeking God’s overarching will. I think this leads many to be confused. So, let’s look at what it means to live life walking in God’s will.
God has a will, and He isn’t keeping it a secret. It covers the pages of scripture and is plain to see for all who want to see it (Romans 12:2). Before we begin, let’s dispel a common myth. The myth is that God has a different will for your life than for everyone else. That’s false. God’s will for you is the same as it is for me, and the same as it is for everyone else. Walking in God’s will means obeying His commands. Start with the greatest commandment: Love the Lord with all your heart, strength, mind, and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). If you do that, it will be all but impossible to be outside His will. That is true for all of us.
I heard a sermon from John MacArthur focusing on this topic, and I thought it would be helpful to share some of my takeaways from that message with you. No matter what decision you face, there are practical questions you can ask to make a wise choice that honors God every time. Over the next couple of posts, we’re going to go over some of these questions to help dispel some of the mystery of walking in God’s will. The first question we must ask is, “Will this violate God’s Law?” It’s the first question because if the answer is “yes,” we never have to ask another question. We must reject anything that violates the holiness of God and His Spirit in us. It’s a full stop, turn around, and go the other way.
Of course, not everything presents itself in a way that allows us to stop at question one. Decisions like whom to marry or what job to take often pass the first test. The next question to ask then is, “Will this draw me closer to God or hinder my walk with Him?” Taking our example of marriage and job decisions, we all know there are certain relationships or positions that could cause a stumbling block in our lives. Whether it’s being enticed to a lifestyle that leaves little room for God, or responsibilities that leave little time for God, we must avoid those things. We need to fill our lives with people and activities that will allow us the time and the space to always be growing in our walk with Christ (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 15:33).
We’ll cover more questions to keep you walking in God’s will next time. For today, understand that God’s will is not a mystery, and it is not personal. Walking in God’s will is natural when we are living in obedience to His Word. It should not cause us to stress out or worry about violating His will when we are unsure about a decision or direction to go. Seek first God’s Kingdom, and all the other pieces will fall into place (Matthew 6:33). It’s more about your heart than your incredible wisdom to discern or your intellectual knowledge. When we understand who God is and who we are not, walking in God’s will is as simple as living in humility and obedience to Him. If you love Him, your life will honor Him. And that is the will of God for everyone.