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"...for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
--1 Corinthians 2:10b

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How to Find the Will of God!

The 7 Ways to Know God's Will

1) The Word
2) The Voice of the Word
3) Direct Revelation
4) Godly Counsel
5) Open and Closed Doors
6) Burdens
7) Fleeces

1. The prerequisite: Submit your will to the Lord:

A. Seek His will, not your own:

Lk.22:42 Not My will, but Thine, be done
Jn.5:30b I seek not Mine Own will, but the will of the Father
Jn.6:38 I came...not to do Mine Own will, but the will of (God)

B. Seek and trust the Lord:

Psa.37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him
Pro.3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
Psa.143:10 [Pray:] Teach me to do Thy will...lead me
Col.1:9 Pray...that ye be filled with the knowledge of His will

C. Sincerely desire to do God's will:

Psa.40:8 I delight to do Thy will, O my God
Mat.6:10b Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven
Jn.4:34 My meat is to do the will of Him (God) that sent Me
Eph.6:6 Doing the will of God from the heart

D. As you obey Him, He will reveal His will to you:

Hos.6:3a Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord
Mk.4:24,25 Unto you that hear shall more be given
Jn.7:17 If any man will do His will, he shall know whether
Rom.12:1,2 Present your bodies a living sacrifice...that ye may prove what is that good...and perfect will of God

2. The Holy Spirit guides us to find God's will:

Jn.16:13,14 The Spirit...will guide you into all truth...and show you
1Cor.2:11 The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God
Jam.1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God
(See also Phi.3:15b)
1Jn.2:27 The same anointing teacheth you of all things

3. The first place to look for God's will is in His Word:

A. The Bible is His written, revealed will:

Psa.119:105 Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path
Rom.2:18 (Thou) knowest His will...being instructed out of law
2Tim.3:16 All Scripture is given by...God...for instruction
(See also Deut.29:29; Psa.119:128; Jn.5:39; Acts 17:11; 1Tim.3:14a,15a.)

B. Warning against not obeying the Word:

Pro.28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law
Isa.8:20 If they speak not according to this Word...no light

C. Beware of interpreting it as you please:

2Pet.1:20 No...Scripture is of any private interpretation
2Pet.3:16 Unlearned wrest Scriptures to their own destruction
Isa.28:10 For precept must be (balanced) upon precept...line upon line; here a little, and there a little
(See also Lk.10:25,26)

D. Read and study the Word carefully:

Neh.8:8 They read in the...law of God distinctly, and gave the sense (meaning), and caused them to understand
Mat.9:13 Go ye and learn what that [Scripture] meaneth
2Tim.2:15 Study...rightly dividing the Word of truth

E. When a verse speaks specifically, directly to you:

Psa.103:20b Ye...that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word
Psa.119:130 The entrance of Thy Words...giveth understanding
Psa.119:133a Order my steps in Thy Word
Pro.6:22,23 When thou goest, it (the Word) shall lead thee...when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee
Lk.24:32 Did not our heart burn within us...while He (Jesus) opened to us the Scriptures?
Acts 2:37a When they heard this...were pricked in their heart

F. Pray and ask the Lord to help you understand:

Psa.119:18 Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law
Psa.119:34,35 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law
Pro.2:3-11 If thou...liftest up thy voice for understanding...seekest... then shalt thou find knowledge
Lk.24:45 Then opened He (Jesus) their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures

G. Ask mature Christians to explain difficult passages to you:

Acts 8:30-35 Understandest thou what thou readest? How can I, except some man should guide me?

4. God sometimes reveals His will through dreams:

A. Revelatory dreams given to His people:

Num.12:6 I the Lord...will speak unto him in a dream
Job 33:15-17 In a dream, He (God)...sealeth their instruction
Jer.23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell
Joel 2:28b Your old men shall dream dreams (See Acts 2:17b)

B. Old Testament examples:

God gave Abraham a prophetic message in a dream (Gen.15:12-16); God's warning dream to Abimelech, the Philistine king (Gen.20:2-7); God promised Jacob that He was with him (Gen.28:10-16); Jacob's dream warned him to depart (Gen.31:10-13); Laban warned not to harm Jacob (Gen.31:22-24); Joseph's two prophetic dreams (Gen.37:5-9); Prophetic dreams of Pharaoh's baker and butler (Gen.40:1-13,16-22); Pharaoh's dream of coming famine (Gen.41:17-32); Israel instructed to go to Egypt (Gen.46:1-4); Gideon encouraged to do God's will by hearing dream of barleycake (Judg.7:9-15); Solomon's dream (1Ki.3:5-15); Eliphaz's dream (Job 4:12-21); Nebuchadnezzar's dream of coming world kingdoms (Dan.2:1,28,29,31-45); King's dream and its interpretation given to Daniel (Dan.2:16-19); Daniel's dream of coming world kingdoms (Dan.7:1-28).

C. New Testament examples:

Joseph's four dreams of instruction and warning (Mat.1:20,21; 2:13, 19,20,22.); Wise men warned in a dream (Mat.2:12); Pilate's wife's dream warned them concerning Jesus (Mat.27:19).

D. Caution regarding determining God's will by dreams:

Eccl.5:3a A dream [often] cometh through multitude of business
Eccl.5:7 In the multitude of dreams...are also diverse vanities
Jer.23:25-27a "I have dreamed"...deceit of their own heart
Jer.23:32 I am against them that prophesy false dreams
Jer.29:8b Neither hearken to dreams ye cause to be dreamed

5. God sometimes reveals His will through visions:

A. A vision is when God flashes a picture in your mind's eye:

Num.12:6 I the Lord will make Myself known unto him in a vision
Num.24:4 Falling into a trance, but having his eyes open
Ezk.1:1 The heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God
Hos.12:10 I (God) have multiplied visions [to instruct people]
Joel 2:28 I will pour out My Spirit...young men shall see visions
Acts 10:9b-11 Peter...fell into a trance, and saw Heaven opened

B. Some Old Testament examples:

Abraham received prophecy in a vision (Gen.15:1-5); Micaiah's vision of the defeat of Israel (1Ki.22:17,35,36) and of the council around the Lord's throne (1Ki.22:19-23); Ezekiel's visions (Ezk.1:1-4; 8:1,2, 10:1.); Daniel's visions of future events (Dan.8:1,2; 10:4-7); Zechariah's visions (Zech.1:7,8).

C. New Testament examples:

Archangel Gabriel prophesied to Zacharias (Lk.1:11-13,22); Paul's vision of Jesus (Acts 9:1-7; 26:13-19); The Lord instructed Ananias in a vision (Acts 9:10,11); Paul's vision of Ananias (Acts 9:12); An angel instructed Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6); The Lord instructed Peter with vision of unclean animals (Acts 10:9b-16); Paul's vision of Macedonian man (Acts 16:9); God encouraged Paul in a vision (Acts 18:9,10).

D. Beware of false visions:

Jer.14:14 They prophesy a false vision...deceit of own heart
Jer.23:16 They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord
Lam.2:14 Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things

6. The Lord sometimes reveals His will through prophecy and revelations:

A. Prophecy: The Lord speaking through you, or to your heart:

1Ki.19:12 [God spoke to Elijah in] a still small voice
Jer.1:9 Behold, I have put My Words in thy mouth
Ezk.3:10,11 All My Words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears
Ezk.3:27 I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say
Lk.2:26a It was revealed unto him (Simeon) by the Holy Ghost
Acts 2:17a In last days...your sons and your daughters shall prophesy
Acts 10:19,20 While Peter thought...the Spirit said unto him
Acts 13:1,2 There were certain prophets...the Holy Ghost said
1Cor.12:28 God hath set some (prophets) in the church
(See also Acts 8:26; 1Cor.14:31; Eph.3:3 ,5.)

B. Warnings about false prophecy:

Deut.13:1-3 [Don't heed prophets which try to turn you astray]
Deut.18:22 If the thing follow not, nor come to pass...the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously
Jer.23:21 I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied
Jer.23:26 They are prophets of the deceit of their own heart
Ezk.13:6,7 Ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken
Gal.1:8 Though we, or an angel...preach any other gospel...let him be accursed
(See also Mat.24:4,5,11,23-26)

7. Seeking counsel:

A. Counselling with others who know the Lord and His Word well:

Exo.18:25,26 Able men...judged the people
Deut.17:8-11 If there arise a matter too hard for thee...matters of controversy...come unto the judge
Pro.11:14 In the multitude of counsellors there is safety
Pro.15:22 In multitude of counsellors (purposes) are established
Pro.20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and good advice
2Cor.13:1b In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established
(See also Acts 11:22,23; 15:22,32.)

B. Coming to a reasonable agreement:

Acts 15:25 It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us

C. Warnings about not seeking (or not heeding) godly counsel:

Pro.15:22a Without counsel purposes are disappointed
2Chr.10:1-15 Rehoboam...forsook the counsel which the [wiser] old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men
Acts 27:9-15,21,41 [The sailors rejected Paul's counsel, based their decision on natural reasoning (vs.12,13) and were shipwrecked]

D. Be willing to change plans if God leads otherwise:

2Sam.7:1-13 [Nathan agreed to David's plan to build a temple, but changed his mind after God showed him otherwise]

8. God often reveals His will by obvious circumstances:

A. God often sets up special circumstances to show His will:

2Sam.5:22-25 [God gave David a specific sign as to when to rise and attack the Philistines]
Mk.14:12-16 Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher...follow him (See also Lk.22:7-13)

B. Sometimes obvious circumstances indicate God's leading:

1Cor.16:9 A great door and effectual is opened unto me
2Cor.2:12 When I came to Troas...door opened to me of the Lord
Rev.3:8 I have set before thee an open door...for thou hast kept My Word
Lk.10:8,9 Into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat
(See also Mat.10:11)

C. Examples of obvious circumstances:

Acts 8:30-35 [Ethiopian eunuch requested an explanation of Isa.53]
Acts 13:7 Sergius Paulus [governor of Cyprus]...called Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the Word of God
Acts 13:14-16 If ye have any word of exhortation...say on (speak)
Acts 17:18-22 May we know what this new doctrine...is?
Jn.2:1-11 There was a marriage...Jesus was called, and His disciples [His miracle there caused many to believe]

D. Gauging circumstances and conditions, and acting accordingly:

1Ki.17:1-9 [When the brook Cherith dried, Elijah knew it was time to move on, and God told him where to go]
Mat.12:14,15a Pharisees...held a council...how they might destroy Him. When Jesus knew it, He withdrew from thence
Lk.10:10 In whatsoever city they receive you not, go your ways (See also Mat.10:14)
Jn.7:1 He would not walk in Jewry...Jews sought to kill Him
Jn.11:53,54 (He) walked no more openly among the Jews; but went
Acts 8:1,4 [God uses persecution and adverse circumstances to make you obey if you won't otherwise--See Acts 1:8]
Acts 14:5,6 There was an assault...they were ware of it, and fled
Acts 20:3,6 [About to sail from Greece, Paul learned of an ambush and travelled another route instead]
Acts 27:9,10, When sailing was dangerous, Paul admonished them
Acts 27:12-15 [Warning regarding wrongly judging conditions]

E. Circumstances are not always an indication of God's will: --Sometimes you just need to have faith:

Exo.14:9-16 [The Red Sea seemed to be an impassable closed door]
2Ki.7:1,2,18 [Even] if the Lord would make windows in Heaven [to provide food], might this... be? And it came to pass
Eccl.11:4 He that regardeth the clouds shall not reap
Jer.1:6,7 [Youthful Jeremiah knew the elders might not listen to him, but was commanded to prophesy anyway]
Mat.14:15-21 This is a desert...and the time is now [late]; send the multitude away [But Jesus fed them miraculously]
Mat.15:32-38 Whence should we have so much bread [to feed them]?

F. Have faith and don't "look at the waves" and conditions:

Mat.14:30,31 When (Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid... Jesus said, Wherefore didst thou doubt?
Mk.2:2-5 When they could not come nigh to Him for the (crowds), they (broke up) the roof...and let down the bed
Lk.5:5 Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy Word I will
Lk.8:49,50 Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. Jesus (said), Fear not: believe only
Jn.11:39,40 By this time he stinketh. Jesus saith, If thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God
2Cor.5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight
Heb.11:23-27 By faith Moses [obeyed God]...not fearing the...king

9. Knowing by faith, the "witness of the Spirit":

A. Sometimes God leads you by giving you a strong desire: --Or you just "feel" led in a certain direction:

Psa.37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart
Pro.16:1 The preparations of the heart in man...from the Lord
Pro.21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord...He turneth it whithersoever He will
Judg.14:1-4 [Samson desired a Philistine woman] It was of the Lord B. Beware about insisting on something you want:
Psa.106:14,15 He gave their request; but sent leanness into their soul Num.22:12-22,32 [Baalim--greedy for gain--went with wicked king Balak's messengers]
2Ki.5:15,16,20-27 [Elisha refused to accept gifts from Naaman, but Gehazi covetously took some and was struck leprous]
Acts 21:4,10-14,27,33 [Paul determined to go to Jerusalem despite the Holy Spirit's warning, and was imprisoned]
Jam.4:3 Ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts

10. Determining God's will by confirming signs:

A. Setting a condition for a specific confirming sign:

Judg.6:36-40 [Gideon and the "sign" of the wet and dry fleeces]
Gen.24:14 [Abraham's servant set a specific requirement to let him know who was to be Isaac's wife]
1Sam.14:8-10 But if they say thus...this shall be a sign unto us

B. Fleeces can be inaccurate if options are too restricted:

Acts 1:23-26 [The apostles cast lots between Matthias and Joseph, but God's choice was Paul--See Gal.1:1]

C. Requiring a "sign" often indicates unbelief:

Jn.4:48 Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe

D. "Confirming signs" sometimes not given:

Mat.12:39a An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it
Lk.23:8,9 Herod...hoped to have seen some miracle done by (Jesus)...nothing

11. Sometimes God's will and plans are conditional:

A. What God does often depends upon man's actions and reactions:

1Ki.21:17-29 [Judgment delayed because Ahab repented]
2Chr.7:13,14 [If the people repented, God's judgments turned away]
2Chr.34:24-28 [Judgment delayed because Josiah repented]
Jer.26:2,3,13 If they turn from evil ways...I will repent of the evil which I purpose to do unto them
Mat.10:13 If the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it
Heb.4:6 Some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief
(See also Heb.3:10-12,18,19)

B. Examples of God changing His mind:

Exo.32:9-14 Moses besought the Lord...and the Lord repented of the evil which He [had] thought to do
(See also Gen.19:17-21; 2Ki.20:1-6; Amos 7:1-6; Jon. 3:4-10 .)

12. God often gives Christians alternative choices:

A. He lets us choose within the boundary of His overall will:

1Sam.10:7 Do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee
2Sam.24:11-15 [David allowed to choose his punishment]
1Ki.3:5,9,10 [Solomon told to ask God for whatever he wanted]
1Cor.7:36 Let him do what he will, he sinneth not
1Cor.10:27 If any...bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go

B. Our plans should be subject to the will of God:

Jam.4:13-15 Ye ought to say, If the Lord will...we shall
Acts 18:21b I will return again unto you, if God will
Rom.1:10 Making request, if...I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you
(See also 1Cor.4:19a; 1Cor.16:7 ; Heb.6:3 .)

C. Be sure you're right before going ahead:

Rom.14:22b Whatsoever is not of faith is sin (See also vs.23)

D. In love, consider the effect of your actions on others:

Rom.14:15 If thy brother be grieved...walkest thou not (in love) 1Cor.8:9 Lest...this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock
1Cor.8:13 If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh

13. When God does not reveal His will:

A. God's will concealed from the unyielded and disobedient:

1Sam.28:6,15,16 [When rebellious Saul prayed and enquired of the Lord, He didn't answer him]
1Ki.22:5-7,19-23 [God sent a lying spirit to deceive wicked King Ahab and hide His true plans from him]
Jer.4:10 Thou hast greatly deceived this people...saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword [comes]
Mic.3:4,6,7 He will not hear them...there is no answer of God
Lk.10:21 Thou hast hid these things from the [worldly] wise
2Thes.2:10b-12 Because they received not the love of the truth...God shall send them strong delusion (Also Isa.66:4)

B. How not to try to find God's will:

[Avoid divination, seances and all occult-related mediums: See Lev.20:6; Deut.18:10,11,14; 2Ki.21:6; 1Chr.10:13,14; Isa.8:19; Ezk.21:21; Dan.2:27,28a.]

14. When you desperately require specific directions:

Psa.73:24 Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel (See Psa.16:7)
Pro.4:11 I have taught thee...I have led thee in right paths

A. God promises to tell you exactly where to go:

Psa.32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye
Psa.37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord
Isa.30:21 Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it

B. You must depend upon God to lead you:

Jer.10:23 The way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps
Psa.25:4,5 Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths
Psa.31:3b For Thy name's sake, lead me, and guide me
Pro.4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established

C. The Lord sends His angels to guide you:

Exo.23:20 I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared
Exo.32:34 Go...behold, Mine angel shall go before thee
(See also Gen.24:7)

D. You must seek and pray for His leading:

Psa.25:4 Shew me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths
Psa.143:8b Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee
Pro.3:5,6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct

E. Let God lead, even if you don't know where you're going:

Heb.11:8 Abraham, when he was called to go...obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went (See Gen.12:1)

15. You can count on God's leadings even when--

A. You're discouraged and at wit's end:

Psa.23:4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ...Thou art with me
Psa.142:3 My heart was overwhelmed...Thou knewest my path

B. You feel lost:

Isa.42:16 I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths they that have not known

C. You desperately need guidance in time of danger:

2Ki.6:8-12 [Elisha warned the king of Israel of the enemies' plans]
Psa.27:11 Teach me Thy way...lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies
Psa.78:43-52 [Though Egypt suffered plagues, God] made His Own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them

D. You need a place to stay or eat:

Psa.107:6,7 They cried unto the Lord...and He led them forth by the right way...to a city of habitation
Mk.14:12-16 Go into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him (See Lk.22:9-13)

E. You're in a faraway, strange land:

Psa.139:9,10 In the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me

16. The will of God is supreme:

A. God is omnipotent and does whatever He wills:

Psa.75:6,7 God is judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another
Dan.4:17 The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men
Dan.4:35 He doeth according to His will in the army of Heaven
Acts 5:38,39 If this counsel...be of God, ye cannot overthrow it
Rom.9:15-18 Not of him that willeth...but of God that sheweth mercy
Eph.1:11b (God) worketh all things after counsel of His Own will

B. Even seeming "bad" things happen only by God's will:

Job 2:3-6 [In order to test and purge Job] the Lord said unto Satan, He is in thine hand
Acts 2:23 (Jesus), delivered by the...foreknowledge of God
1Pet.4:19 Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him
(See also Acts 4:28)

17. Rewards for doing God's will:

Mat.7:21 He that doeth will of My Father...shall enter Kingdom
Mat.12:50 Whosoever shall do the will of (God)...is My brother
Jn.9:31 If any man...doeth His (God's) will, him He heareth
Jn.15:14 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you
Heb.10:36 After ye have done will of God...receive the promise
1Jn.2:17b He that doeth the will of God abideth forever
1Jn.5:14 If we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us

18. God's will on specific subjects:

A. God's will regarding salvation:

(See Mat.18:14; Jn.1:13; 6:39,40; Eph.1:5; 1Tim.2:4 ; Jam.1:18a; 2Pet.3:9b.)

B. Verses on different aspects of God's will in a Christian's life:

(See 1Cor.12:11; Gal.1:4; Eph.5:17; 1Thes.4:3; Heb.2:4; 10:10; 1Pet.2:15; 3:17; 4:2,19.)

C. The will of God is the path of life:

(See Psa.16:11; 23:3; 25:10; Pro.2:8,13,20; 4:11,18; 12:28; Mic.4:2.)

Request

James Arendt

I was raised in the Hegewisch neighborhood on the southeast side of Chicago, Illinois, served in the USAF from 1970 to 1974, and became a full-time missionary for Christ living 40 years in Japan, 3.5 years in Russia, and a few months in other countries such as Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, South Korea, Taiwan and mainland China where I also served the King of Kings, Jesus, as an Ambassador for His Kingdom. If you find this website useful, please consider sending me a gift through PayPal toward the support of this website's server fee.

I'm also the webmaster of jamesjpn.net. You can read my bio there.

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