THE WILL OF GOD FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN (EXPLICIT IN SCRIPTURE)
"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me on level ground." (Psalm 143:10)
1. God’s Will Is Your Sanctification (unto Holiness)
*1 Thessalonians 4:3–8
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”
Principle: God’s will is not first about location or vocation, but transformation. Holiness is God’s declared will for every believer.
(A.W. Tozer):
“The will of God is not a place; it is a life. It is not something you find, but something you become.”
2. God’s Will Is Continual Joy, Prayer, and Gratitude
* 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
R – RejoiceP – PrayT – Think with gratitude
This is not emotional optimism; it is spiritual discipline rooted in trust.
Corrie ten Boom said:
“Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God.”
3. God’s Will Is That You Do Good Even When It Costs You
* 1 Peter 2:15
“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”
* 1 Peter 3:17
“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”
* 1 Peter 4:19
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
God’s will is faithful obedience, not comfort. Sometimes His will includes suffering that refines faith.
(Charles Spurgeon):
“God is too good to be unkind and too wise to be mistaken.”
4. God’s Will Is a Renewed Mind, Not a Conformed Life
* Romans 12:1–2
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God… Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
You discern God’s will only after the mind is renewed by Scripture and the Spirit.
5. God’s Will Is Faithful Perseverance in Ministry
* 2 Timothy 4:1–5
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season… endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Principle: God’s will is endurance, not applause.
(John Stott):
“The church flourishes not by comfort, but by conviction.”
6. God’s Will Is Trustful Dependence
* Proverbs 3:5–6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
God’s will becomes clear when we deny ourselves in the Lord.. it's when self-will and our own way dies.
SCRIPTURES WHERE GOD EXPLICITLY STATES HIS WILL
7. God’s Will Is That You Believe in Christ
*John 6:38–40
“This is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life.”
8. God’s Will Is That You Be Filled With the Spirit
* Ephesians 5:17–18
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is… be filled with the Spirit.”
9. God’s Will Is Obedient Living From the Heart
* Colossians 1:9–10
“We ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will… so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.”
10. God’s Will Is Thankfulness
* Psalm 107:1
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”
11. God’s Will Is That You Bear Fruit
* John 15:8
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.”
12. God’s Will Is That You Love One Another
* John 13:34–35
“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
13. God’s Will Is That You Grow in Discernment
* Hebrews 5:14
“Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice.”
14. God’s Will Is That You Walk in Truth
* 3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
THE S.O.A.P. PATTERN FOR DISCERNING GOD’S WILL
S – Scripture first (not commentary, not Google, not social media)O – Observation (What does God say?)A – Application (How must I obey?)P – Prayer (Lord, make this live in me)
(D.L. Moody):
“The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”
God’s will is holiness, not happinessGod’s will is obedience, not outcomesGod’s will is Scripture, not speculationGod’s will is renewed thinking, not cultural conformityGod’s will is faithfulness, even when misunderstoodGod’s will is thankful trust, even in suffering
“Always know that God would choose for you exactly what you would choose for yourself if you had enough wisdom to choose it.”
And this is why the Apostle Paul writes:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
That discernment comes only from hearing from the Lord in Scripture. Read it prayerfully, humbly, and consistently — with the Holy Spirit speaking in the still, small voice.
R - REJOICEP - PRAYT - THANK God in all circumstances. Yes, give thanks and praise to God even if you can't thank him for those circumstances you are in. Repeat this.
Always know that God would choose for you exactly what you would choose for yourself if you had enough sense (godly wisdom) to choose it.
S - Scripture, what exactly are you going to read through. Letters were meant to be started and finished in one sitting. Do you know anybody that picks up a letter and reads near the end only? It's an s. It's not a C so you don't grab your commentary first. It's not an n you don't grab your newspaper first. It's not a cgp you don't grab chat gpt first or Mr. Google or Mr. Facebook first. It's an S for scripture 1st with Holy Spirit.O - observation do you notice?A - application, what you read is for Wise application as you pray about where God is leading you or not leading you.P - pray over it, bathe it in prayer so you can brightly practice it.In Romans I appeal to you brothers and sistersRenewing your mind in God's Bible by His Holy Spirit with truth..to be able to discern right.
You know how RPT stands for repeat. So what do we each need to repeat:
R - REJOICEP - PRAYT - THINK, in all circumstances, give thanks to God even if you can't thank him for those circumstances. Repeat it.
Apply the soap saved sinner, cuz it keeps ya clean, believer. Sinners need to be forgiven.
Meditate upon these verses this week.
1 Thess 4:3-8
1 Thess 5:16-18
1 Peter 2:15; 3:17; 4:19
Romans 12:1-2
2 Tim. 4:1-5
Ρrον. 3:5-6
