Discerning the will of God is a topic that many Christians struggle with. We all want to know God’s plan for our lives, but figuring out what exactly that is can often feel confusing. The Bible provides wisdom and guidance to help us understand how God leads and directs His people. Here are some key biblical principles for discerning God’s will:
Renew your mind
In order to discern God’s will, we need to have a renewed mindset that aligns with God’s truth and priorities. Romans 12:2 tells 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.” Submitting our thought patterns to the Lordship of Christ enables us to rightly perceive and interpret God’s will in any situation.
Seek godly wisdom
Rather than relying solely on our own understanding, we should seek wisdom from God’s Word and godly counselors who can provide Biblical perspective and discernment (Proverbs 1:5, 11:14). Wise and spiritually mature believers can help us evaluate circumstances rightly and make God-honoring decisions.
Study God’s written Word
The Bible is God’s clearest revelation of His will and ways. As we read and study the Scriptures, our minds are renewed so that we can accurately understand and apply Biblical principles (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God’s commands and wisdom equip us to navigate decisions from a wise, eternal perspective.
Listen to the Holy Spirit
In addition to God’s written Word, He has given believers the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us into truth and righteous living. As we cultivate intimacy with God in prayer and worship, the Spirit will convict us of sin and illuminate the path we should take (John 16:13). Listening to the Spirit’s promptings will protect us from deceiving desires and fleshly impulses.
Delight in the Lord
When we find joy and satisfaction in the Lord above all else, He will shape our hearts to deeply desire His purposes (Psalm 37:4). Walking closely with God aligns our affections with His, so that His will becomes our delight. Abiding in Christ produces spiritual fruit such as wisdom that naturally overflow into discernment and decisions.
Surrender personal ambitions
Our hearts are prone to pride, selfishness and human agendas that distort God’s will. We need to surrender our plans to the Lord, repenting when we realize we’ve made decisions out of worldly ambitions or fleshly pursuits. Dying to self and seeking the Lord wholeheartedly positions us to receive His direction.
Patiently wait on God
Rather than rushing ahead in our own timing, we should prayerfully wait to hear clear direction from the Lord and see Him order circumstances. “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14). He may keep us waiting to test and humble us, or prepare us for what’s ahead.
Trust God’s sovereign will
As we walk through this process of discernment, we can find peace in knowing that God is sovereign over all details and events. He will lead and guide us perfectly as we commit our way to Him – even if His will doesn’t match our expectations (Proverbs 3:5-6). His plans are always motivated by faithful love.
Evaluate circumstances
God often leads through opening and closing doors of opportunity. We can look at the circumstances around us and evaluate whether something seems to be from the Lord or not. Of course, we need much wisdom and counsel to decipher God’s hand in our situations.
Walk in obedience
Discerning future guidance requires that we are first walking obediently in the light God has already given us. Our discernment grows as we submit moment-by-moment to the Lordship of Christ. If we aren’t living out our current knowledge of God’s will, we aren’t ready for more.
Confirmation and wise counsel
For major decisions, God often provides additional confirmation of His leading through various means. The counsel of several spiritually mature believers can serve as a safeguard from faulty judgment. We should humbly listen to their godly advice as they help us consider angles we may have overlooked.
The still, small voice
Amidst many noisy voices and distractions in life, we need to continually return to stillness before the Lord, sensitively listening for clarity from the Spirit. God quieted Elijah’s heart before speaking through a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). As we patiently worship in God’s presence, He will cut through confusion to guide us.
Remember God’s faithfulness
If you belong to Christ, you can have full confidence that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). Looking back on evidences of God’s grace and past guidance builds trust in His commitment to lead you. He remains ever-present and active shepherding His sheep.
God may allow tension
Living by discernment rather than hard formulas means that sometimes discomfort and uncertainty remain. God may lead us into seasons we don’t understand, allowing tension to strip away trust in our own judgment. He calls us to obey Him one step at a time as we move forward through foggy seasons.
Learn from experience and mistakes
We will sometimes step out of God’s perfect will and learn through failure. But if we respond rightly, God redeems even our mistakes for growth in wisdom and discernment. Painful experiences teach us to depend more fully on the Shepherd’s guidance rather than our own.
Practice makes progress
Like any skill, discernment develops through ongoing practice over time. We will get better at sensitively perceiving God’s Spirit through daily dependence, listening and responding. Small decisions prepare us for bigger ones. Mistakes along the way remind us to cling closely to the Shepherd.
Discernment in community
The body of Christ plays a vital role in discernment, as we complement each other’s strengths and limitations. On our own, we easily rationalize poor decisions. Submission to faithful authority and transparent accountability with other believers protects us from deception.
God unveils His will progressively
Rather than expecting an immediate lightning-bolt answer to every decision, we need to rest in God’s patient timing. He often unfolds the next wise step when we need it rather than the whole staircase ahead of time. Walking by faith means moving forward with partial revelation.
Listen to your conscience
While our hearts can certainly be deceived, God gave us a conscience imprinted with His moral law to convict and guide us (Romans 2:14-15). As we tune our ears to listen, conscience becomes a helpful tool for biblical discernment. However, it must be under the authority of Scripture and the Spirit.
Beware of moral compromise
Dullness and compromises in morality undermine discernment. Dependence on God gets subtly replaced by human reasoning that bends Scripture’s commands to justify sin. We must uphold personal holiness and purity to accurately hear and interpret God’s voice.
Examine your motives
Our own sinful ambitions easily distort discernment, tempting us to pursue opportunities that gratify the flesh. Remembering that God examines the heart should motivate us toward humility, sincerity and purity in every decision. Does this choice align with Christlike character?
Start with the heart
Outward behavior and decisions flow from the heart’s beliefs, affections and motives. Making a good choice for bad reasons leads to hypocrisy and spiritual dryness. Discernment must go deeper to consider the transforming of our hearts to love and delight in God above all else.
Pray for wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Humble prayer expresses dependence on the Shepherd rather than ourselves. Admitting our need, God delights to answer with wisdom that anchors our souls amidst uncertainty.
Wait patiently
After presenting a decision to God in prayer, we should patiently wait for peace and conviction in our spirit. Making quick decisions without taking time to hear from the Lord often leads to regret. Slowing down protects us from rushing ahead out of fleshly anxiety or urgency.
Remember God’s presence
In the busyness of life, we easily feel overwhelmed and unable to discern God’s voice. Recall that the Shepherd walks by our side through every moment. Stillness restores awareness of His presence and gentle guidance. He never leaves us to fend for ourselves.
God guides through closed and open doors
Listening for God’s will means assessing opportunities in front of us. Sometimes God clearly opens doors, aligning circumstances to point our path. Other times closed doors and insurmountable obstacles redirect our course. This requires patient wisdom.
Listen to godly counsel
Seeking input from wise, Biblically-grounded believers helps us notice blind spots we miss alone. Their outside perspective offers broader discernment, allowing God to speak through their insights. Let iron sharpen iron through transparent accountability.
Stay in God’s Word
Consistently reading, studying and memorizing Scripture renews our mind and equips us to test impressions, hear God’s voice and resist deception. God’s Word is the lamp that illuminates our path day after day. There is no healthy discernment apart from Scripture.
Discerning God’s will certainly requires wisdom, patience, and dependence on God’s Spirit. But through the tools He provides us in His Word, godly community, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and prayer, we can navigate decisions in a way that brings glory to Him and aligns our lives with His perfect plan.