How Do You Discover GOD’s Will for Your Life?
BENNY HINN
Life is a series of
vital questions:
- What must I do to become a
Christian?
- What should I choose for a
career?
- Should I ask her to marry me?
- What church should we join?
- What should we name our baby?
- What job offer should I take?
- How do I prepare for
retirement?
Thankfully, not all
decisions are that critical, but we know from God’s Word that He cares about
the things that concern us and the decisions we face each day, both big and
small. The Father of all creation is intimately concerned about the details of
our lives.
Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are numbered” (Matthew 10:30)
He understands
everything about us: “For your heavenly Father
knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32)
He desires to provide
for our needs: “Wherefore, if God so
clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and to morrow is cast into the
oven, shall he not much more clothe you?” (Matthew 6:30)
He cares about every
choice you make: “For this God is our
God for ever and ever: He will be our guide” (Psalm 48:14)
More importantly, He
wants us to make decisions that reflect His will.
Ephesians 5:17 shares this desire: “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding
what the Will of the Lord is.”
Often I’m asked, “How
can I discover what God’s will is for my life?”
Here are three basic
principles directly from His Word that have helped me tremendously through the
years:
Principle #1: God’s
Will Is Available Only Through our Lord Jesus
Today, billions of
people seek goodness, knowledge, hope, and guidance through many different
rituals and beliefs. Too many regard Jesus Christ as just “another” good man or
pious teacher in life’s religious smorgasbord.
The Savior, however,
proclaimed Himself in a clear-cut way that leaves no room for interpretation: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6)
God has a plan for
your life, and Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit, as promised, to reveal God’s
will to you:
“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all
truth” (John 16:13)
Now, it is up to each
of us to seek His divine guidance for our life and say, “Lead me in Thy truth,
and teach me; for Thou art the God of my salvation” (Psalm 25:5)
Principle #2: To Know
God’s Will, You Must Offer Yourself to God
The Apostle Paul
writes:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service” (Romans 12:1)
The Bible declares
that if you surrender your body to God and live a holy life, it will be
acceptable to Him. Notice that “holy” and “acceptable” go together. God will
not accept anything unholy.
God wants us to be
living sacrifices unto Him!
Some people say,
“Lord, I will be Yours when I die.” God says, “No, I want you when you are
alive, because when you die your body goes to dust. I cannot use it.”
This means we must be
willing to be used by Him as a “reasonable service.” This act of worship brings
pleasure and glory to God. Upon this foundation, we can know His will as the
Holy Spirit lives through us.
Principle #3: To Know
God’s Will, Your Mind Must Be Renewed Supernaturally
Romans 12:2 points to an astounding truth: “And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The word transformed in
the Greek language is where we get the word metamorphose, as when a
caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
As you consistently
present your body and mind to God by spending time with Him and reading His
Word, then He can begin to transform you from the inside out.
Every middle school
science student learns that the transformation of anything, even the smallest
cell, must begin in the nucleus, or innermost part.
Spiritually, that can
only happen when you commit yourself to Him—body, soul, and spirit. The Holy
Spirit then shows us His will, something no man can teach you.
Discovering God’s
Good, Acceptable, and Perfect Will
Something wonderful
happens when you present yourself to the Savior, “That ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2)
You can be
increasingly acceptable before God. Through Jesus Christ, God “hath made us
accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
When you become a
Christian, your life is hidden in Christ and you receive eternal life, yet
there is more. Your life can be pleasing to Him, through His righteousness, as
you follow His guidance day by day.
More importantly,
God’s answers to all your questions will be perfect. The word perfect means
complete. God doesn’t stop halfway. When He saves, He saves to the uttermost.
He seeks to bring us into complete wisdom and righteousness. That’s why, like
the Psalmist, we should pray, “Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God: Thy
Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (143:10).