Why? So that we can enjoy the blessings of God and avoid the pitfalls that come from disobedience.
Too many Christians today presume to know the will of God for their lives. I've heard people say that they are called to the ministry, and then struggle with finances, marriage, and the people they serve until they become weary in well doing.
We are to walk circumspectly, or "cautiously, carefully, and prudently." In other words, we should be cautious of the things we do and the choices we make.
Now, to understand means to "comprehend, grasp, or be familiar with." To understand the Lord's will is to piece it together, or make sense of it. The only way to do that is by developing a relationship with the Father. And it is not something you learn all at once, from A to Z. It is actually a steady unfolding of revelation.
The key to receiving this revelation is found in simple acts of obedience. It's like a jigsaw puzzle; once completed, the pieces create an entire picture that could not be discerned when they were separated. As we operate in obedience, we begin to see more clearly God's perfect will for our lives.
Perfect Will vs. Permissive Will
Simply put, God's perfect will is His plan and purpose for your life, not your own. Elevating your self-will above God's will leads to God's permissive will.
Permissive will is when God allows you to make all the choices. Oftentimes we end up making mistakes, hurting ourselves, and living with regret. But it's never too late to change. If you repent and yield yourself to God, He will forgive you and lead you back into His perfect will.
You see, God will never force you to do anything. If He did, everyone would be saved right now. And although it is God's will for them to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), He will not force anyone to accept salvation. The same is true of the will of God. He will reveal it to you, if you're willing to listen. The truth of the matter is, without obedience, God's will for your life will never come to pass.
God has a plan and purpose for everyone, but we must be careful not to get weighed down by selfish desires. It's not about what we want, but what God wants. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.He warns us in verse 7 to "be not wise in thine own eyes&." Simply consult God first and trust Him, because He sees the big picture.
(KJV)
When you obey God, you can count on His protection. As my husband says, "Your provision is on the other side of your obedience." Healing, debt cancellation, deliverance, wisdom, and anything else you need is made available to you when you walk in God's will.
How To Walk In God's Will
Before doing anything, make sure that your will agrees with God's. How? By spending time in His presence and by reading and meditating on His Word. God can also reveal things to you through your spirit.
You can get the ball rolling by demonstrating your willingness to fulfill His plan for your life. He promises that if you will hear Him and obey His commandments, His blessings will overtake you (Deut. 28:2).
Ask yourself this question: "Am I in God's will right now?" Judge yourself. Are you following the lead of your self-will, or God's will? God has a plan for you; however, if you begin to make excuses and fail to do your part, you will miss out on the blessings He longs to give you.
Now don't think that life will become a bed of roses once you begin walking in God's will. There will be a few thorns here and there. You may think, "Will this really work?" or "Things were easier before." That may be true. But the benefits of being in His perfect will far outweigh any rewards you've ever received by doing things your way. No matter what happens, don't give in. Just stay focused.
It's Also Important To Renew Your Mind
The best way to do this is by spending time in God's Word. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The more time you spend in His presence, the more He will reveal to you, and the better you will recognize His voice.
Remember to use God's Word in your prayers (1 John 5:14-15), and expect Him to respond. Prayer is having a conversation with God. He talks and you talk. But it is equally important to listen. So often, God is ready to reveal answers to us right away. But as soon as we're finished talking, we whisk off to carry out our plans. Then we wonder, "Is He really listening?" The better question is, "Are you?"
When God reveals His plan to you - and He will - write it down. Writing the vision down assures you that there is a plan for your life (Hab. 2:2). Keeping it before your eyes serves as a constant reminder that you should be doing something daily toward accomplishing the task. Post it in several places - your refrigerator, mirror, car, doorway, and computer. And be sure to write the vision clearly.
God will send laborers to help you accomplish the goal, and they must have a clear understanding of how they may assist you in getting the job done.
If you already know God's will for your life and are walking in it, praise God! If you know His will and are not actively working toward fulfilling your calling, I encourage you to begin. And finally, if you don't know God's will for your life, ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full (John 16:24).
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Taffi Dollar is a celebrated author, teacher, and well-known conference speaker. Together with her husband, Creflo Dollar, she pastors more than 30,000 active members at World Changers Church International, World Changers Church-New York, as well as a host of fellowship churches throughout the U.S. and internationally.
