Knowing God's Will for Your Life
God communicates to us in many ways, but all through the Spirit. These include:
1. Prayer. God wants to speak to you in your personal time with him. Take time to listen (tune in) to his voice. What are the desires of your heart and the gifts he has given you? There is a lot of freedom in God's will and knowing his will for our life.
2. The Scriptures. The Bible contains God's will for you and the principles and keys to success and fulfilment. These are outlined and illustrated for your instruction. It tells us to love, serve, work hard, witness, fellowship, worship, pray and many other things. It warns us against lust, love of riches, anger, hatred, unforgiveness and many other things too. Read it and obey it. It is Gods’ word and will for you.
3. The Preaching and Teaching of God's Word. Every time someone preaches or teaches God’s word, they are to speak as the "mouthpiece of God" (1 Peter 4:11) and we are to receive the message as the "words of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). God speaks to us through other ministries. When we listen and respond with a correct attitude, God is pleased and we grow spiritually.
4. God-Ordained Authority. The authorities in your life are “ministers (servants) of God” (see Romans 13). They are God's delegated representatives. These include:
- Parents (Colossians 3:20. Ephesians 6:1. Proverbs 6:20; 15:5).
- Teachers or employers (Colossians 3:22-25. 1 Timothy. 6:1-2. 1 Peter 2:18).
- Police, government and law officers (Romans 13:1-7. 1 Peter 2:13-17).
- Church leaders (Hebrews 13:17. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14. 1 Timothy 5:17. 1 Peter 5:1-3).
We are to obey and honour them as God’s representatives. They are God's tool to work in our lives (character, wisdom, protection and covering, guidance and direction). If asked to do something wrong we should appeal for an alternative. If this is not possible, we should obey God rather than people while maintaining an attitude of respect (see Daniel 1. Acts 5:28-29). God will often speak to you and guide you through the authorities over your life.
5. Prophecy. God also speaks to us and shows us his will through prophetic ministry. Usually this is to be a confirmation of what God has already spoken to us or is doing in our lives. Occasionally, new revelation may be given. God can speak to us through a personal prophecy, through a prophecy given to the whole church or even through a prophetic word given to someone else. Responding to the prophetic word appropriately is very important.
6. The Supernatural. God may also speak through prophetic dreams, visions or angels.
God is speaking to you all the time and wants you to know and do his will. Often we don't hear God's voice because we don't recognise the different ways he communicates to us. Learn to know (see, perceive, be aware of) God's voice by His Spirit within you through the various means of communication He uses. Take time to read 1 Corinthians 2.
Hindrances
to hearing from God include disobedience or sin (Psalms 66:18.
Deuteronomy 28:23), not obeying the last word spoken to you
by God through neglect (Mark 4:24), distractions – other things taking our
time, energy and attention, quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), and closed ears not wanting to hear
(Jerermiah 6:10, 35:15. Matthew 13:14-15).
Be committed to the purposes of God in your life. Give diligent attention to your calling. Respond with preparation accompanied by patient endurance for God's timing. Without this, no dream, vision or call will be achieved. However, with a responsive and obedient heart, we will see God’s will done in our life and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”