{"id":53768,"date":"2025-07-12T16:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T13:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=53768"},"modified":"2025-07-28T23:08:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T20:08:25","slug":"how-can-i-understand-gods-will","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2025\/07\/12\/how-can-i-understand-gods-will\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Understand God\u2019s Will?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u00a0Colossians 1:9<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cFor this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Colossians 1:9 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In this verse, Paul expresses one of the most important spiritual priorities: that believers should be filled with the knowledge of God\u2019s will<\/strong>. This knowledge isn’t just intellectual\u00a0 \u00a0it involves spiritual wisdom<\/strong>\u00a0 and understanding<\/strong> (synesis<\/em>) given by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

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What Is God\u2019s Will?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In Christian theology, God’s will is commonly understood in three dimensions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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God\u2019s Sovereign Will (Decretive Will)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This refers to God’s unchangeable plan that governs all of history. It is hidden and cannot be thwarted.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe Lord Almighty has sworn, \u2018Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Isaiah 14:24<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cOur God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Psalm 115:3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


This aligns with the doctrine of divine sovereignty<\/strong>. God\u2019s ultimate purposes (like Christ\u2019s crucifixion for our redemption\u00a0 Acts 2:23<\/em>) unfold exactly as He intends.<\/p>\n

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God\u2019s Moral Will (Preceptive Will)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is God’s revealed will in Scripture\u00a0 what He commands all people to do.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt is God\u2019s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 1 Thessalonians 4:3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cGive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 1 Thessalonians 5:18<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cDo not lie. Do not steal. Love one another.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 (Various commands in Romans 13<\/strong>, Exodus 20<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This reflects God’s holiness<\/strong> and moral character<\/strong>, and aligns with the ethical aspect of sanctification<\/strong>\u00a0 growing in Christlikeness (cf. Romans 8:29).<\/p>\n

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God\u2019s Specific (Personal) Will<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is God’s unique guidance for individual decisions\u00a0 such as career, relationships, or ministry assignments.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, \u2018This is the way; walk in it.\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Isaiah 30:21<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThe Spirit told Philip, \u2018Go to that chariot and stay near it.\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Acts 8:29<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


This is associated with divine providence<\/strong> and personal calling<\/strong>, which varies per individual and is discerned over time through spiritual disciplines and surrender.<\/p>\n

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How Do I Discover God\u2019s Will?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Bible outlines several key ways by which believers can discern God’s will for their lives:<\/p>\n

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\u00a01. Prayer \u2014 Communing with God<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cIf any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 James 1:5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cDevote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Colossians 4:2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Prayer is a means of grace<\/strong>, a spiritual discipline by which believers engage God relationally and receive His wisdom. According to Reformed theology<\/strong>, prayer aligns us with God’s purposes more than it changes God’s mind (cf. Matthew 6:10<\/em> \u2013 \u201cYour will be done\u201d).<\/p>\n

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2. The Word of God \u2014 The Foundation of Discernment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cYour word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Psalm 119:105<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 2 Timothy 3:16\u201317<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


According to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura<\/strong> (Scripture alone), the Bible is the highest authority for faith and life. The general will<\/strong> of God is always consistent with Scripture, and personal guidance<\/strong> never contradicts it.<\/p>\n

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\u00a03. Christian Community & Counsel \u2014 The Wisdom of the Body<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cPlans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Proverbs 15:22<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cWhere there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cIt seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Acts 15:28<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


In ecclesiology<\/strong> (the theology of the church), the body of Christ functions together in mutual edification and discernment. This reflects the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and the need for communal discernment<\/strong>, especially in major decisions.<\/p>\n

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\u00a04. Spiritual Discernment \u2014 Growth in Wisdom and Maturity<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201cDo not conform 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\u2019s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Romans 12:2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cBut solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Hebrews 5:14<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


This connects with sanctification<\/strong> and the work of the Holy Spirit<\/strong>. As we grow in Christ, we develop discernment\u00a0 a spiritual \u201cradar\u201d to sense what aligns with God’s heart. This is what Paul called \u201cthe mind of Christ\u201d<\/em> (1 Corinthians 2:16).<\/p>\n

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Why Is This So Important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u201cNot everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 7:21<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThe world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 1 John 2:17<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


This highlights the difference between nominal Christianity<\/strong> (in name only) and true discipleship. Doing God’s will is not just about knowledge it’s about obedience<\/strong>, which is the fruit of saving faith<\/strong> (James 2:17).<\/p>\n

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Practical Summary \u2014 How to Walk in God’s Will:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Final Encouragement<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u201cThe Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs… and strengthen your frame.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Knowing and doing God\u2019s will is not a mystery for the elite<\/strong>, but a calling for every believer. Through prayer, Scripture, community, and spiritual maturity, God lovingly makes His will known to those who seek Him.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Be Blessed<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n