Decisions Based Upon God's Will

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Acts 21:25

Acts 21:25 AV

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Proverbs 3:1-2

Proverbs 3:1–2 AV

1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

C. Your Decisions Reveal Your Desires

I’m going to count down from three, and you have to give me an answer, “three…two...one” that is your real desire.

· Another Hebrew word bawkar, means to select, to choose, to prefer or desire.

Proverbs 3:31

Proverbs 3:31 AV

31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Psalm 119:30

Psalm 119:30 AV

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

Luke 6:45

Luke 6:45 AV

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

D. Your Decisions Are Affected by Your Greatest Desire

· The most basic choice is Do I choose to please myself or choose to please the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:15 AV

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

· So, do we desire to do our will, or God’s will?

II. Principles Regarding God’s Will

· There are different sides to the idea of the will.

· When making a choice, you are communicating your will.

· The Word will is used to express the mandate or desire of someone in authority (God’s will).

· It also speaks of the idea of having a disposition to act according to your own desired goals (a child may be born with a strong will.)

· Also, by your own will, you can exercise power and control over your own actions and emotions.

Luke 22:42

Luke 22:42 AV

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

· Jesus’ model prayer taught us to pray.

Matthew 6:10

Matthew 6:10 AV

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

· So, what does the Bible say about the Will of God?

A. What the Words Mean

· The meaning of the Greek words used in the New Testament describe why God’s will should always be preferred!

1. Thelema

· thel'-ay-mah– means “a determination, choice or a desire of the heart.”

· God’s will is His heart’s desire for you.

2. Boulema

· Boo’lay-mah - Means “a plan of the mind; a deliberate design and purpose.”

· God’s will is His ultimate plan and purpose for you.

3. Eudokia

· yoo-dok-ee'-ah - Means “good and pleasing.”

· God’s will is ultimately pleasing and good for you.

B. A Three-Dimensional Picture

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 AV

2 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.

1. God’s Perfect Will

· God has an ideal plan.

· God’s plan is pleasing and good.

· God’s perfect will is for everyone to repent of sin and no one perish.

2 Peter 3:9

2 Peter 3:9 AV

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2. God’s Permissive Will

· God permits each person to exercise free will…in opposition to His own will.

· God is ultimately sovereign over all that He permits.

Proverbs 1:29

Proverbs 1:29 AV

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

God’s permissive will allows everyone the option of choosing.

right or wrong,

Spiritual life or spiritual death,

being blessed or being cursed.

Romans 3:23

Romans 3:23 AV

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

3. God’s Prevailing Will

God’s plans cannot be thwarted.

Job 42:2

Job 42:2 AV

2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

· God’s ultimate purposes are achieved because He is sovereign.

Proverbs 19:21

Proverbs 19:21 AV

21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

· God’s prevailing will is to grant full forgiveness and a home in heaven to anyone who repents of their sin and trusts in Christ as Savior.

C. Common Concerns Regarding God’s Will

1. Has God already determined His Will for Me?

· Yes. God’s will for you was prepared in advance.

Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 AV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2. Can I actually know God’s will for my life?

· Yes. God desires to reveal His will to you in a personal way.

Acts 22:14

Acts 22:14 AV

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

3. Will God reveal the whole blueprint of my life?

· No, Only God sees the whole picture—the past, present, and future of your life.

· Discovering God’s will is like reading a scroll.

· He teaches and counsels you as He unrolls the scroll one day at a time.

Psalm 32:8

Psalm 32:8 AV

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

· God reveals His will to us primarily through the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

Psalm 119:105

Psalm 119:105 AV

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

John 16:13

John 16:13 AV

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

4. What if God’s will seems undesirable?

· God’s will may seem undesirable and unpleasant when your heart is following your own desires and not trusting God.

Psalm 37:4

Psalm 37:4 AV

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5. Why does God’s will for me sometimes include sorrow and affliction?

· Suffering allows you to see God’s sufficiency as you learn to depend on Him.

Psalm 119:71

Psalm 119:71 AV

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

D. Decisions that Please God

1. Decisions that He initiates.

Proverbs 4:11

Proverbs 4:11 AV

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

2. Decisions that line up with His Word

Psalm 119:33

Psalm 119:33 AV

33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

3. Decisions that accomplish His purpose

Philippians 2:13

Philippians 2:13 AV

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

4. Decisions that depend on His strength

Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 AV

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

5. Decisions that result in giving Him glory

1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31 AV

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

6. Decisions that promote justice, kindness, and humility

Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 AV

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

7. Decisions that reflect His character

1 Timothy 4:12

1 Timothy 4:12 AV

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

8. Decisions that come from faith

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 AV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

9. Decisions that consider the interests of others

Philippians 2:4

Philippians 2:4 AV

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

10. Decisions that are bathed in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AV

17 Pray without ceasing.

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