Ephesians

Walking in God’s Will, Part 4 – God’s Will Is Not a Secret

October 30, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

This is part four of our study of what it means to live life walking in God’s will. You can catch up or review by reading parts one, two, and three. If you are stumbling upon this for the first time, our premise is that God’s will is not a secret and that it is the same for each individual.

Contemplative young man pondering walking in God's will by ordering his priorities with discipline in obedience and discipleship for the glorification of God

The challenge lies in discerning His will in our very specific and disparate circumstances and decisions. The point of this series is to provide some questions we can ask to help us eliminate the noise around our choices, and boil them down to the simple and plain teaching of scripture. Let’s look at the final two questions we can ask.

Walking in God’s Will, Part 3 – Seeking to Know God’s Will

October 27, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

Today we continue to look for ways to ensure we are walking in God’s will. His will is not an unknowable mystery, and it is vital that we understand the will of God for us to live productive and fruitful lives worthy of our calling (Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 1:9-10). If you are jumping in for the first time, please check out “Walking in God’s Will, Part 1” and “Walking in God’s Will, Part 2,” to see the first five questions to ask when seeking to know God’s will.

Young woman who wants to be walking in God's will without duplicity or hypocrisy but in obedience surrendering to the lordship of the God of her salvation

There is no decision you will encounter in life that God’s Word does not give you the principles to know what you should choose. With that, let’s dive into the next set of questions you can ask to discern God’s will.

Walking in God’s Will, Part 2 – Know God’s Will

October 23, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

We’re continuing to look at what it means to know God’s will. In part one, we established that God’s will is knowable and not specific to each individual. We also began looking at some questions we can ask when facing a decision and seeking God’s will in it. The first two questions are, “Will this violate God’s Law?” and “Will this draw me closer to God or hinder my walk with Him?”

Young man thoughfully seeking discernment and wisdom to understand what it means to be walking in God's will

Of course, most of us won’t stop and take the time to ask those questions when facing a decision. We’d rather spend hours wringing our hands wondering what we should do. We’re putting all the emphasis on us rather than on God’s Word. Only God’s Word has the answers, so wasting time anywhere else is foolish (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Deny Yourself

October 16, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

Jesus said if anyone wants to follow Him, they must first deny themselves (Luke 9:23). What does it mean to deny yourself? It means you must deny your ego. You have been bought for a price, and your life no longer belongs to you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You are a slave of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:22). How could you, a slave, think more highly of yourself than anyone else (Philippians 2:3-5)?

Young man contemplating what it means to deny yourself as he seeks the discipline to surrender his priorities and live with a commitment to discipleship without fear

You don’t have the right to make your own decisions, as every choice must now align with God’s will and His Word. As slaves of Christ, we are the lowest of the low, deserving of nothing, and any good that comes our way is only by the incredible grace of our Lord and King (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are nothing, but that’s okay, because He is everything!

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Bad Fruit

October 13, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

The Bible uses the analogy of good and bad fruit to distinguish between what believers and nonbelievers will produce in their lives (Matthew 7:17-20). Genuine followers of Christ will produce good fruit (John 15:8). Jesus says if we abide in Him, we will produce fruit that is growing and desirable (John 15:4-5), as we cannot produce any other kind.

a crowd with raised hands at an event espousing a false gospel and generating bad fruit showing a lack of discipline and discernment for those in attendance which belies their discipleship

But for those not in Him, Jesus likens them to bad trees that can only produce bad fruit (Matthew 7:18). A bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit every now and again; it produces bad fruit every time. Sure, it might look appealing on the outside, but inside it is rotten and sour. If we consume enough of it, what do you imagine will become of our spiritual health?

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