How Can I Know What God’s Will Is?

Every one of us has countless decisions which we must face every day of our lives. Every time of conflict, of testing and trial is a time of decision. But the point is, how do you make your decisions? How can you know you are making the right ones, those which will bring the best results and help you achieve your goals?

Putting it simply, for true Christians, making a decision is actually finding out what God’s will is; what God knows will be best according to how He sees the situation. After all, only God is way out there in front, and only He knows what is going to happen, and only He is able to lead us.

But the worst thing in the World to do is to keep going ahead when you don’t know what to do. That was the tragic mistake of so many of history’s failures who thought they didn’t need the Lord’s direction. Sooner or later it always proves true that those who succeed, trust in God’s Word to lead them, and the ones who fail are those who go without it.

Unfortunately, there are many Christians who haven’t yet discovered that Jesus was serious when He said, “Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened for you.” Mat:7:7. God means just what He says! It’s a promise!

The following 7 points will help you to more clearly and easily discover the will of God for your life. As you read them, think about them and apply these basic guidelines to any decision you are faced with. The Lord will not fail to show you the answer you need! It is so comforting to know that whatever God shows you always works out.

The Seven Ways to Know God’s Will

No.1 The Word

The first place we look to find the Will of God! And when God speaks to you right through His Word, then you know it’s right! The Bible is the sure Word of God and it never fails! In God’s Word you can find the answer to every question and the solution to every problem. When you ask God for answers, let Him speak to you through His Word!

No.2 The Voice of God’s Word

When the Lord brings to mind a certain verse or passage from the Scriptures, or as you are reading, all of a sudden a verse seems to jump at you as if it were written just for you! It’s as if the Lord had whispered it in your ear. It begins to apply to you personally, and suddenly it becomes real! It’s no longer just mere words, but you finally get the point of what God is trying to show you!

No.3 Direct Revelation!

Sometimes God uses a dream or vision, a voice or prophetic message to show you what to do. You know it is from God if it agrees with and doesn’t contradict His Word. It’s so wonderful to get the answers straight from the Lord! When you’ve got the concrete evidence from Him, His Word on the subject, then you know you’re on the right track & you can go ahead & act with conviction-& without hesitation! That settles it! You’ve heard from Heaven!

No.4 Godly Counselors!

When finding God’s Will in a decision, it is often wise to ask others for their opinion. However, it is important to weigh the counsel you receive, and to prayerfully consider the source that it comes from! How reliable are their leadings from the Lord? Do they bear good fruit themselves and produce good results from their own actions and decisions? “By their fruits,” Jesus says, “you will know them!–” Matthew 7:20.

No.5 Open and Closed Doors!

If something is God’s Will, He’ll usually open the door and make it possible! Which direction is God providing or opening the way and the means to do it? That is one way to find out the direction God is leading. Of course circumstances and conditions are not always the final criteria for finding the Will of God, but they can sometimes be an indication. Often by closing one door and opening another, the Lord leads and directs us. God has certain set-ups and situations which suddenly become golden opportunities. At times like these we should take decisive action and not miss the Lord’s timing, otherwise what was a golden opportunity could become a lost opportunity! So after you’ve prayed about any door that opens and perhaps have discussed it with others, and checked it with His Word, then go ahead.

No.6 Burdens

Strong impressions or feelings can sometimes be an indication of God’s leading. It isn’t always wise to go by feelings, but if something is really of God you’ll have an inner conviction, what many Christians call the “Witness of the Holy Spirit”! It can be a still small Voice in your heart! In your heart you feel you just have the faith. You just know that’s the Will of God and that’s what you’re supposed to do, or not do. His Word says, “You will hear a voice beside you saying, this is the way; walk ye in it.”–Isaiah 30:21.

No.7 A Fleece

The term given to a system of check and double-check with God. It’s like an agreement with God to show you if you are on the right track or not. And if you ask Him whole-heartedly, you won’t be disappointed! Sometimes you can actually specify the kind of revelation you’d like God to give you like the Prophet Gideon did in the Bible. (See Judges 6:36-40.) Gideon laid a fleece (sheepskin) on the ground and said, “Now Lord, if the fleece is wet with dew in the morning, but the ground is dry, then I’ll know it is You talking to me!” But then he wanted to be doubly sure, so the next day he said, “If the fleece is dry and the ground is wet, I’ll believe it!”, and that is just what the Lord did each time! Then Gideon knew that God was with him. If the Lord hadn’t done the miracle, Gideon might have quit entirely and lost heart!

Regarding fleeces: Although they seem like an easy and supernatural way, they are the least reliable of the 7 ways to discover God’s Will, only to be used in conjunction with the other more dependable points shared above. In fact, the more ways you employ in making decisions, the greater the assurance will be that your decision is right.

What a comfort it is when you know that you’re in God’s will! It’s the safest place to be in the whole World! No matter if war is breaking out all about you and there is darkness and storm, you’ll be safe in the hands of God as you follow Him to victory.

Just be sure it’s right, then go ahead.- To the right place, at the right time, with the right people and God will bless it! He will lead you if you’ll follow. But don’t run off on your own just because something looks good to you; be sure to keep in line with His Word and with His blessings. Any combination of two or three or more of these little guidelines can help to confirm God’s Will for your life.

And that is why we wanted to share with you these guidelines to help you to keep in touch with your Heavenly Commander-in-Chief at all times. That’s one line of communication that can never be broken. You’ll always have a hotline to Heaven and you can get your orders straight from the Lord Himself as He guides you through the many difficult situations you will face. Even when you seem to be all alone, God will always be there by your side to direct your every move. All you have to do is ask Him, and the answer will come! Whether it be in public, at home or in any situation, God is everywhere! “He knows, He loves, He cares, nothing His truth can dim! He gives His very best to those who leave the choices up to Him!”

This is actually the first requirement in finding God’s Will: Having no will of your own! His Word says, “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this World, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may know what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God!”—Romans 12:1,2. Surrender your will, your body, your mind to the Lord and let Him make the decisions, and you will never be disappointed!

Our prayers are with you as you follow God to greater victories, both in your personal life, and as you stand up for His Truth and witness His Love to others! God bless you!–And He will as you do His Will and follow Him!

Source: http://freebiblestudiesonline.org/how-can-i-know-what-gods-will-is/