Walking in the Will of God - Part Two

In last week’s blog, we began discussing walking in the will of God in our lives.  In order to walk in the will of God you must embrace three essential elements: passion, perception and persistence.  Last week we focused on being passionate to do God’s will.  In this week’s blog, we will focus on the perception of His will and the persistence to do God’s will.

Perception. The perception of God’s will is the source of much consideration, contemplation and unfortunately, controversy in today’s church.  This is because God guides us by principals, not by rules, and different people or denominations can perceive God’s will in different ways.  However, it is paramount that our perception is rooted in the principles of the Scriptures.  God’s will for our lives will never contradict the truth of Scripture.  Instead, it is the Scripture that highlights our spiritual, physical and emotional heading.

“His word is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path.” Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

“For the commandment is a lamp and the law is light and the reproof of instruction is the way of life.” Proverbs 6:23 (KJV)

Remember, God’s word gives light to our understanding.  Just as a pilot must trust his instruments to navigate through a storm; here are three instruments that we need to understand the will of God from the principals of Scripture.

1.  The knowledge of His will is gained in the mind from the word of God.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Colossians 1:9 (KJV)

2. The understanding of His will is attained by being filled, controlled and obedient to His Spirit.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Galatians 5:17-18 (KJV)

3. The full assurance of His will is reached through God’s providential dealings and revealed course of action.

“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” Acts 16:6-10 (KJV)

While we may have a personal plan that we believe that God desires for us to accomplish, the Holy Spirit prevents us from forcing the situation to gain and advance our own agendas if it is not in accordance with His will.  It is up to us to choose to listen and obey.

“There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of theLord, that shall stand.” Proverbs 19:21 (KJV)

Just as a square peg will not fit into a round hole, so will the Holy Spirit prevent us from placing our square of pride in the perfect circle of Christ’s will for my life.

Once we have perceived the will of God, we must be persistent to walk in His will, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

Persistence.  The power to persist in His will is accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our perfect example. Before He began his ministry of earth he was: baptized by the Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17), led by the Spirit (Matthew 4:1) and He was empowered to do ministry by the Spirit (Luke 4:14-18).

As we purpose to persist in doing the will of the Lord, remember the following four truths from the Scriptures:

1. Whatever you do, do it all to the Glory of God.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)

2. Whatever you do in word and deeds, do it all in the name of the Lord.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17 (KJV)

3. Whatever you do, do it heartily and passionately as unto the Lord.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23 (KJV)

4. Whatever we do that is not of faith is sin.

“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 (KJV)

As you seek to discern the Lord’s will for your life, I submit to you an important word of caution.  When we choose to exercise our spiritual liberties we must examine every step.  I encourage you in making a decision regarding your course of action to consider:

  • Not all things are expedient though they be lawful (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23).
  • Liberties should not lock you into the worship of the flesh. Galatians 5:12, Psalms 119:33).

As a closing thought, I challenge you to ask yourself the following:

  • Is what I am allowed to do beneficial to the kingdom of God and my service to the Lord?
  • Will it enslave me or place me in bondage and cause me to leave my loyalty to God?
  • Will it cause others to stumble in their faith?

Remember: being led by the Spirit of God means maintaining a consistent and continuous connection with the truth of Scripture and His consciousness. As we seek to discern and be obedient to His direction, we can trust in His promise found in the scriptures:

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.’” Isaiah 30:21

For the Glory of God,
 
PBKSR

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