Ask most Christians, and we will tell you that knowing God’s will for our lives is a high priority — likely the highest. We put a lot of prayer, thought, and effort into the quest to know God’s will, and we often wonder if we are living within God’s will.

We Christians often say that finding God’s will is difficult. We wish that He would make it plain as He did with Moses and the burning bush. God’s will would certainly be more recognizable if it was accompanied by an awesome miracle. If God wants us to do something, why doesn’t He just burn the message into our lawn with a lightning bolt?

Another problem we face as we contemplate God’s will, is that we often wrestle with our own human wants and desires. Discerning between what we want and what God wants is a daily quandary. It seems that knowing God’s will is truly difficult — but is it?

This article is based on a simple premise: God has already declared His will for us. Does that surprise you? It really shouldn’t. If God is our sovereign and gracious leader, then wouldn’t He make His will knowable so that we can confidently follow Him? Of course, He would, and He has done so through His Word.

Since God’s will is knowable, then the problem is on our end of the equation. There are two basic challenges we face when it comes to knowing God’s will: first, we must learn His will as it has been clearly given in Scripture, and second, we must be willing to obey it. Knowledge and obedience bring about a miraculous transformation. Listen to Paul’s words in Romans 12:1-2,

“Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 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.”

When you are obedient to God’s will as clearly given in Scripture, a miracle happens — your mind is renewed, and you begin to think as God would think. Paul called it having the mind of Christ. See I Corinthians 2:16.

So let me begin introducing you to God’s will:

Be saved and know the truth. Clearly, this is where God’s will for your life begins. I Timothy 2:1-4 says,

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people — for all kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

Be filled with the Spirit. God is ready to fill your heart and mind with His presence, but He can only do so as you make yourself available. Ephesians 5:15-17 says,

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. True unity with God cannot be experienced unless we are willing to die to self. Jesus has already died to self by giving Himself up for us; now He invites us to do the same for Him. See Philippians 2. Mutual selflessness is the primal ingredient necessary for true unity to be experienced. Luke 9:23 says,
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Be sanctified and pure. To be sanctified means to be set aside for holy purposes. Are you living like you are holy? Clearly, that’s how God wants you to see yourself. I Thessalonians 4:3-8 says,

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Be thankful. Regardless of what is going on in your life right now, God wants you to find ways to be thankful. Being thankful is His will for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 says,

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

If you want to know God’s will in a specific situation, start by being obedient to His will as already given. If you are obedient, your heart and mind will be transformed, and you will then be equipped to discern God’s will — and His will truly is good, pleasing, and perfect!