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How to Discern God’s Will for your Life

First, there are no short cuts in the process for discerning God’s will. Please keep in mind, however, that about 90% of God’s will is already known to us in the Bible. By simply obeying all His commandments, (such as to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself), we can be an extension of His tremendous love, compassion, grace, and mercy to all humankind. How can we be an extension, however, unless we are connected to the source of power? That’s why we need to delight in Him first. If we do, then He says that He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Why? Because His desires rub off on us in such a way that they influence what’s best for us. In this way, we can serve and achieve success for the right reasons/motives.

If we spend time with God, we begin to love the things that He loves. This is the way it should be because we are made in His image: Spiritually, Morally, Artistically, Relationally, and Thoughtfully (S.M.A.R.T.). Being fully human means living like we were created to be. We were made by God and for God and until we understand this, life will never make sense.

At that same time, we know that the other 10% or so is yet to be known, such as: Who will we marry? What should be our major or career? Where should we work and live? What ministry should we be involved in? These major decisions are ones that need to be directed from the One who knows what’s best. You didn’t create you, so you don’t know what’s best for you. Eph 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Yes, God has a plan for our lives! So, how do we discover it? Life is too short and you’re too valuable to waste it. This life will soon pass, but only that which is done for Christ will last.

The following guide will help you to discern His will for you. He loves you! You can trust Him to speak clearly into your life, but it takes diligence. There is no substitute for spending time with God. D.E.L.I.G.H.T. yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). So, what does it mean to D.E.L.I.G.H.T. yourself in the Lord? How do we “hear” His voice? He is all-knowing and knows what’s best for us and is eager to tell us! Here are the prerequisites:

Decide to follow Christ by making Him your Lord and Savior. 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 John 5:12 say “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Eternity is a long time to be wrong. We don’t get a second chance to believe after we die (Heb 9:27).

Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Choose to walk in dependence. Colossians 2:6-8 says: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Let your requests be known to God in prayer and fasting. Phil 4:6-7 and Mark 9:29 say: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Jesus said, “This kind [of spirit]can come out only by prayer.”

Insight: There is wisdom in His word and a multitude of counselors. Get help! Pr. 15:22 and Romans 12:1-2 say: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” “So [Therefore] brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I ·beg [urge; appeal to] you to offer your ·lives [selves; bodies] as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be ·only for God [holy] and pleasing to him, which is the ·spiritual [or authentic; true; or appropriate; fitting; or rational; reasonable] way for you to worship. Do not be ·shaped by [conformed to; pressed into a mold by] this ·world [age]; instead be ·changed within [transformed] by ·a new way of thinking [or changing the way you think; the renewing of your mind]. Then you will be able to ·decide [discern; test and approve] what ·God wants for you [is God’s will]; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect” (EXB).

When God has given you a brain, He has given you His will. Just be sure to renew it, however, with His wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jer 33:3).

Get the facts: research all you can about the opportunity or idea. Proverbs 21:5, 19:20, and 13:16 say: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.” Try job shadowing with someone who is doing what you want to do.

Holy living: It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. Lev 11:45 and 1 Peter 1:13-16 say “I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.” “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

Thankful: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you” (1 Th 5:18). Psalm 100:4 says “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”

In addition, here is a summary and some additional proactive steps. Keep a daily journal, writing the A.N.S.W.E.R.S. as you receive them.

Ask the Lord, in prayer & fasting, to make His perfect will clear, seek Him with your heart.

Next of Kin: ask those related to you for prayer and advice (parents, siblings, relatives, etc.).

Search the Scriptures for direction (not randomly, but be open to insight and wisdom from your daily Bible reading, i.e. the One Year Bible—be organized!) (Ps 119:105).

Write! Keep a running record of what He's showing you over a given period of time in all of these areas mentioned. Journal it for a few months or longer. (Proverbs. 3:5,6)

Experience: learn from past and present experiences; don't make the same mistake.

Research the opportunities through dialogue, research, visits, etc.; create options.

Seek the advice of advisers: pastors, mentors, friends, counselors. Record advice!

One last thought

How God made you is how He wants to use you. Follow your interests and develop your skills. Don’t try to be like someone else. You are uniquely you; and that’s all God expects from you! Be faithful to the next thing God calls you to and do it with excellence. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58).

There are only three things that will last forever: God, His Word, and our souls. Our goal in life should be to hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Matt 25:23). In Heaven we will reign with Christ and have: Rest, Rejoicing, Rewards, a Resurrected Body, and Responsibilities. What you do in this life will determine the extent of service in the next one.

Ultimately, God’s will is that you come to know Him as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Call upon Him now. Your career will end someday, but your character lives forever. Do you know where you will be living? Eternity is a long time to be wrong. Don’t put it off. Make a decision now to follow Jesus.

Love in Christ,
Tom Tofilon
Pastor/Author of “Praying to God Our Father”

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