Discovering God’s plan for your life is an important part of the Christian journey. Here are some biblical principles to keep in mind when seeking to understand His will:
1. Seek God First
The first step is to seek God before anything else. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Putting God first means making time for prayer, bible study, and fellowship with other believers. As we seek Him, He will begin revealing His plan for us.
2. Renew Your Mind with Scripture
Romans 12:2 instructs us, “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.” Immersing our minds in God’s word helps align our thoughts with His. The Bible contains all we need for “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).
3. Listen for God’s Voice
In addition to scripture, God guides us through His Holy Spirit who lives inside every believer. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” As we pray and read the Bible, we tune our spiritual ears to hear His still small voice prompting our spirit about His will.
4. Seek Wise Counsel
Since other believers can have spiritual discernment, it’s wise to seek counsel when making big decisions. Proverbs 11:14 says “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” God often provides direction through pastoral leadership and godly men and women who can provide biblical perspectives.
5. Consider Your Gifts and Talents
God equips each of us with natural abilities according to His purpose. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Part of God’s will is using the abilities He’s given us, whether teaching, hospitality, administration, etc. When our talents align with God’s purpose, we experience fulfillment.
6. Look for Open and Closed Doors
God often leads through open doors of opportunity. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me.” At the same time, God also closes doors that are not His will. If something becomes too difficult and doesn’t align with scripture, it may be God redirecting us.
7. Trust His Promises
God promises wisdom to those who ask and trust Him. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” We can have confidence that He will reveal His will as we commit our plans to Him in prayer and trust His faithfulness (Proverbs 3:5-6).
8. Submit Your Desires to God
Human will and desire must come under God’s authority. Rather than expecting God to rubber stamp our plans, Jesus showed that true obedience prays “not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Laying down our own ambitions prepares our heart to receive His perfect will, even when it’s not what we expected.
9. Wait Patiently on God
Discerning God’s will rarely happens in an instant. Acts 16 shows that Paul was forbidden by the Spirit to go into certain regions before receiving the Macedonian call. God’s timing is perfect, and waiting strengthens faith and patience (Romans 5:3-4).
10. Move Forward in Faith
Once we have peace about the direction, we can move forward in faith. “Walk while you have the light of life” (John 12:35). Our step of obedience is what God often uses to unfold the next part of His plan. He promises to direct our paths as we trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The key is trusting the faithfulness of God. He promises to guide us if we acknowledge Him and listen for His instruction (Proverbs 3:5-6). By applying these biblical principles, we can know the certainty of His purpose and walk in the center of His will.
Here are some additional verses about knowing God’s will:
Romans 12:1-2 – 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.
Ephesians 5:17 – Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Isaiah 30:21 – And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
1 John 2:17 – And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Romans 8:27 – And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Psalm 143:10 – Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
James 4:13-15 – Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Romans 12:1 – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
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.