Finding God’s Perfect Will Within His Permissive Will

Romans 12:2b, NKJV | ...that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Throughout Church history, various theologians and Bible teachers have attempted to understand God's will and its relationship with humans, proposing three categories:

a) Prescriptive Will of God

• Requires clear actions from believers as per His Word.

• Examples include honoring parents (See Matthew 19:19a) and loving God with all your heart, soul, and might (See Deuteronomy 6:5).

• God's prescriptive will is what He commands His people to do, with numerous instances recorded throughout the Bible. While there aren't specific commands for every situation, understanding God's character through His words and specific commands allows for seeking His will in any situation. Despite knowing God's will, individuals can choose to obey or disobey Him, but ultimately, God remains in control, and our disobedience cannot derail His ultimate plan.

b) God's Prohibitive Will

• God's prohibitions are clearly stated in His Word.

• Examples include: "Take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (See Exodus 20:7a). Other prohibitions include: "Murder, adultery, and theft" (See Exodus 20:13-15) and many more.

• God's forbids these actions in His message.

c) Permissive Will of God

• The permissive will of God is what God doesn't prescribe or prohibit but leaves to our judgement.

• Dr. James Denison notes that many Christians avoid what God prohibits, focusing on His prescriptive will for major decisions like marriage, jobs, and having children.

• He states many think following Jesus means good church attendance, prayer, Bible reading, and avoiding sins but God has a 'good, acceptable, and perfect' will for every aspect of our lives.

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Christian Maturity and Discipleship

• Christians often believe in freedom of choice as long as they follow God's instructions. This perspective is considered spiritual infancy and is considered the lowest level of Christian maturity.

• As believers grow, they understand God's perfect will within His permissive will. This understanding is what makes a disciple or follower of Jesus.

• Paul encourages glorifying God in one's body, as believers were bought with a price. (See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Finding the Father’s Perfect Will

• The perfect will of God is only discovered through walking with Him.

• Being a follower of Jesus means following Him daily, which is the journey and relationship that allows discovery of His perfect will.

• God may reveal His perfect will through His Word, His Holy Spirit, circumstances, or counsel from others.

• It's important to know that God's perfect will is there to be discovered, not just based on the 'do's and don'ts' of God's Word. The perfect will is for each individual to discover as they walk as a child of light.

Ephesians 5:8, 10-11, NKJV | 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light | 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [c]expose them.

• God's will for life decisions should be guided by godly wisdom and prayer.

• Worries arise about missing God's "perfect will" if wrong decisions are made.

• God reveals a different approach to determining His "perfect will."

• God's perfect will is clearly communicated to us in His Word and includes salvation; coming to the knowledge of the truth (See 1 Timothy 2:3–4); sanctification, avoiding sexual immorality, and control over our body that is holy and honourable (See 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5); doing good through faith (See 1 Peter 2:15–16) and giving thanks in all circumstances (See 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

• God knows all things but also allows us to make choices.

• Decision-making is about committing our ways to the Lord and glorifying Him rather than finding that "one thing" He wants us to do.

• Proverbs 16:1–9 describes the heart’s intention to make plans and the Lord’s sovereignty over that planning.

• The Lord has a purpose for everything He created (See 1 Timothy 4:4).

• Seeking the Lord and committing one's ways to God is the wisest way to make plans. Paul (See Romans 9:20-21) and James (James 4:13-15) reinforce this idea, stating nothing can override God's sovereign will.

• Planning should be prepared in a spirit of humility and obedience, avoiding fear of missing God's perfect will.

• Ungodly, unwise, or sinful decisions can lead to missing God's perfect will.

• Some examples in the Bible: King Jehoash's incomplete obedience resulted in only three victories over the enemy (See 2 Kings 13:18–19); Moses seems to have missed God’s “perfect will” when he struck the rock and failed to enter the Promised Land (See Numbers 20:10–13); Godly King Jehoshaphat's alliance with wicked King Ahaziah led to the destruction of the fleet (2 Chronicles 20:35–37).

• Bible affirms that all things work together for good to those who love God. (See Romans 8:28). Despite present sufferings, God works to sanctify us for His glory. (See 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:2–4). This applies even when troubles result from sinful actions.
  

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When we miss God's perfect will, we must trust in Him and do the next right thing. As Proverbs 24:16 states, the righteous rise again after falling seven times, while the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

1. Confess all known sin, knowing that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (See 1 John 1:9).

2. Ask God to show us where we went wrong and to reveal what was in our hearts. As Psalm 139:23–24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

3. If our actions involved a sin against someone else, seek forgiveness and make restitution. Zacchaeus, in repentance of his sin, promised the Lord, “If I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (See Luke 19:8). This is part of the “fruit in keeping with repentance” that John preached (See Luke 3:9).

4. Return to the Lord and seek to glorify Him in all we do (See 1 Corinthians 10:31).

5. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us (See John 14:26; 16:13).

God is omniscient and knows His perfect will for our lives, with plans for our good and His glory. We have enough information to obey the Lord, even if we don't know every detail in advance. When we sin, God calls us to return to Him, and even if we mess up, we can be forgiven and follow the truth.

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• Have you ever found yourself in a "keep-the-commandments-and-I'm-OK" mindset? Do you feel like you're missing something spiritually? Consider the wonder of God's plan, which reveals His general will through His Word but reserves His perfect will to be discovered through relationship. This speaks to the intimacy God desires to share with us as we journey through life. God leads us in many ways, but never apart from His Word.

• How has God arrested your attention in the past to reveal His will and confirmed it with His Word? Do you take the Holy Spirit for granted? Jesus called Him our "Helper" and emphasized the importance of His presence in our life. Jesus told His disciples that if He does not go away, the Helper will not come to us, but if He does, He will send him to us. Do you give Him that measure of importance?

How do I know God’s will?

• When faced with a major decision, it's important to seek guidance from God. While some aspects of God's will are clearly outlined in the Bible, others, like buying a house or returning to school, are not. God wants us to be persistent in seeking His guidance, as He rarely makes His will obvious. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need." God knows that the process of seeking Him is as important as the answer He might give to any question. As we take steps of faith and learn to recognize His leading, we grow spiritually and strengthen our relationship with Him. It's not always a simple process, but in the end, it's worth it.

• Paul, an early Christian leader who wrote much of the New Testament, prayed for the church in Colossae, asking for complete knowledge of His will and spiritual wisdom and understanding. (See Colossians 1:9-10)

• This way, our lives will honor and please the Lord, and our lives will produce good fruit. As we grow, we will grow as we learn to know God better and better.

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God’s Sovereign Will

• God's sovereign will is a constant, unchanging event that cannot be stopped. Jesus' death on the cross for the world's sins was God's will, and no one could have stopped it. This sovereign will provides comfort during big decisions, as we cannot ruin God's ultimate plans.

• In times of uncertainty, remembering God's permanent will ensures that nothing can separate a child from His love.

• The apostle Paul affirmed in Romans *:38-39 that death, life, angels, demons, powers, height, and depth will not separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Spirit Is Your Guide

• The Holy Spirit lives within you if you have entrusted your life to Jesus. Jesus appeared to His followers, who were afraid of what lay ahead. Instead of giving them detailed instructions, He promised that His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, would come and guide them.

• On the first day of the week, Jesus stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" He showed His hands and side, and the disciples were overjoyed. Jesus then breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

• This same gift has been given to all who have believed in Jesus since. It is crucial to remember that God the Holy Spirit lives within you, and it is essential to learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit.

The following principles will help you grow in understanding this, but without understanding this first, you will be trying to do everything in your own strength rather than using the greatest resource God can give you: Himself.

How to Seek God’s Will: 6 Principles

To seek God's will, use multiple methods and find consensus among them. The 6 principles for seeking God's will should be used together, rather than individually. Consider the whole picture when working through options, as making decisions based on one principle can be dangerous. Focus on the whole picture and avoid ignoring the other 5 principles.

1 | Surrender your personal desires.

• Openness to God's will.

• Acknowledge bias towards a particular outcome to understand God's message.

• Be open to God's guidance in any direction.

• Take delight in the Lord and God will fulfill your heart's desires.

• Don't ignore emotions and desires; they are part of the process.

• Surrender desire to please others; pleasing people is not the goal of being Christ's servant.

• Consider how your choices will impact others, but don't make decisions to please others.

• Be willing to disappoint others in pursuit of God's will.

2 | Meditate on God’s Word.

• Psalm 119:105 emphasizes the importance of the Bible in decision-making

• Encourages aligning decisions with God's teachings.

• Reading Scripture helps understand God's character and desires.

• Avoids random Bible opening for answers.

• Read surrounding verses or entire Bible for context.

• Helps make informed decisions and stay on track with God's teachings.
  

3 | Spend focused time in prayer.

• To understand God's will for your life, turn to Him in prayer and ask Him what He wants you to do. God is always ready to provide wisdom and will not resent it.

• When asking Him, expect Him to answer. Don't believe that God is hiding His will from you, as this may hinder your understanding of Him as your loving Father.

• When making big decisions, turn to God with all your fears and uncertainties. The Bible encourages praying about everything, telling God what you need, and thanking Him for His work.

• Write down the sense of direction you get from Him over time to avoid being overly influenced by your most recent thoughts.
  

4 | Seek other people’s advice.

• To make wise decisions, seek advice from mature Christians, mentors, parents, friends, pastors, or church leaders. Trust them to provide a different perspective and follow God's leading.

• Remember, you are ultimately responsible for your decisions and should focus on pleasing God rather than pleasing others or following their advice.

• Seeking advice is wise, but don't let someone else make your decision for you.

5 | Consider your circumstances.

• God can open and close doors of opportunity in our lives, but our decision-making should not be guided by circumstances.

• God may use events to guide us, and sometimes, decisions are made for us. However, not all obstacles are closed doors, and some are obstacles we need to overcome as we follow God.

• It is important to consider multiple sources when seeking God's will, as many Christians follow an illogical closed door policy, leading to unsatisfactory and frustrating consequences. God's work in our lives does not exclude such experiences, but it is crucial to evaluate all issues and consider various sources.

6 | Think through your decision logically.

• The Holy Spirit guides us in our decision-making process, helping us understand God's Word and follow His teachings. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach and remind us of His teachings.

• We should create a list of options and write out the benefits and drawbacks of each, applying reason with God's values rather than relying solely on our culture's values. God values grow and helps us know Him and experience His love, not success and prestige. While worldly success may come with it, God can use it for His purposes, which may be better achieved through less impressive means.

• In summary, the Holy Spirit guides us in our decision-making process, ensuring we use reason and common sense.

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Look at the Big Picture

• Journaling aids in identifying patterns in the 6 principles.

• If all principles align, proceed with prayer and trust in God's guidance.

• If no clear pattern emerges, wait before decision-making.

• Trusting in God's guidance is essential, even if a decision is needed.

Taking Action and Responding to God

• Philippians 2:13 states, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

• God gives strength and courage to fulfill His call.

• Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."

• Remember that what we do matters to God.

Where Do I Go From Here? (Some things to reflect upon...)

• Are you truly open to going wherever God leads you, or are you coming to God simply to get approval for your own plans?

• What do you need to do to fully surrender your desires and be open to God’s will?

• Looking back at your life, have you ever experienced a time when God was guiding you in a specific direction but you didn’t realize it until much later?

• How does this reassure you as you make choices and take steps of faith?

• Something you can do: What decisions or choices are you facing in life? Ask a friend to pray with you as you go through the 6 principles to seek God’s will.

1. Reflect on whether you are truly open to God's guidance or seeking approval for your own plans. Determine what steps you need to take to surrender your desires and be open to God's will.

2. Reflect on your life and how God's guidance has reassured you in making decisions and taking faith steps.

3. Consider the choices you face and ask a friend to pray with you through the 6 principles to seek God's will.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I believe that You uphold the creation by the strength of Your mighty power and Your great wisdom, and that in Your Word You have laid out all that we need to live godly lives that are pleasing to You. I desire to do Your will oh God, and I pray that I may serve You in the manner that You require. Lord, in humility of heart I admit that I can do nothing of myself, but only as You give me Your sufficient grace, Your wisdom and Your strength. Help me I pray, to live each day of my life in holiness and righteousness, in humility of heart and with self-control. Help me to walk in spirit and in truth and to do only those things that I have heard from You, through the Word of God and the gentle promptings of Your Holy Spirit in my inner soul. May I look to You and not to the ways of the world. May I grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus, and may I apply myself diligently to pursue You greater plans and purpose in my life, willingly accepting correction, eager to forgive others and enjoying sweet fellowship with You day by day. This I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.