God's Will Part 3
Text: Various
Title: Doing God's Will: Part 2
Series: Knowing God’s Will
I. Introduction:
A. Background: God’s Universal Will
a. God’s will is clearly revealed to us through His Word
b. God may not reveal anything specific about your life until you obey Him in the area of salvation
c. We should seek to know and obey His will not mater what it is
1. His will is not lost, waiting to be found
2. He wants us all to know it
d. God’s universal will applies to everyone
e. Salvation
f. Sharing the Gospel
g. Being Spirit Filled
h. Sanctification (Holiness and Purity)
i. Obedience to Parents
j. Submission To God and Authority
k. Suffering
B. Proposition:
God’s will includes his universal or general will that applies to everyone and His specific will that applies to us personally
C. Main Divisions:
1. God's Universal Will
2. God’s Specific Will
3. Summary Knowing and Doing God’s Will
II. Exposition:
God’s Specific Will: Applies to Us Individually
1. this includes:
a. Whom we should date
b. What kind of person does God want us to marry
c. What school we should go to after we graduate
d. What we should do this weekend
e. What we should listen or watch
f. what classes we should take
g. If we should take this job or the other one
f. whether or not we should do this or that action …
2. God wants us to know what His specific will is but it is usually revealed one day at a time
a) Eph 5:17 NLT
(17) Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
3. dependant on His universal will
a. if we are not obeying His universal will that applies to everyone, we should not expect
Him to reveal His specific will to us
b. if we are obedient and submitted to His universal will, we can seek to know His specific will for us
4. Check List to help us know God’s Specific will
1. Scripture
a. Knowledge of what God says about something: behavior/ actions that is specifically stated in His Word
1. main points of God’s universal will that are explicitly or plainly
spelled out in the Bible
2. we don’t have to pray about these things
3. this is God’s universal will that applies to everyone regardless of gender, age, culture, occupation, race…
b. He will never tell us to do something that goes against His revealed will
c. examples
1. should I marry a non-believer?
2. should I be pure?
3. should I submit to authority?
d. we should ask ourselves: Does this action agree with scripture?
1. if we are obeying God’s universal will as revealed in the Bible, then we can seek what God specifically wants us to do in our personal life
e. God’s word gives us knowledge of divine truth (John 8:31-32)
f. Scripture exposes our thoughts and intentions, our heart (Heb 4:12)
g. Psa 19:7-8 NKJV
(7) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
(8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
1. God’s word is perfect, sure or reliable, right or correct and pure
2. it converts or restore us, gives wisdom, makes one joyful and enlightens or gives insight for life
h. God's will is something that is proved in our life as we know and obey His commandments as revealed in the Bible (Saved for Service 10-23-04)
1. He conforms our desires with His perfect will
2. we offer ourselves to God and follow Him and He proves His perfect
will as He caries us where He wants us.
i. includes responding to Scripture: dealing with known sin in our lives
1. confession: agreeing with God about your sin (Psa 139:23-24; Rom 8:27)
2. repentance: changing of mind and attitude toward sin and God (Matt 21:29; PCT 316)
a. accepting personal responsibility (2 Cor 7:10; Prov 28:13)
b. seeking the forgiveness of God
c. seeking the forgiveness of people we have sinned against (Matt 5:23-24)
d. forgiving those who have wronged us when they repent (Matt 6:12, 14-15; Lk 17:3)
3. Jas 1:22-25 NKJV
(22) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
(23) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
(24) for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
(25) But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
j. to know God's will we must read, study and meditate on His Word
2. Prayer: for ourselves and having others praying for us
a. Jesus always committed Himself to doing the will of His father (Matt 26:39)
b. we can seek to know and conform to God’s will through prayer
c. praying about an option, seeking for inward peace about it
1. our conviction about the option should deepen as well
2. Holy Spirit can give us inward peace.
d. if we do not have inward peace and have doubt about it we should try another
option and continue to do so until we have peace and conviction that it is God’s will
e. we should ask other believers to pray for us
1. requires openness, accountability and friendship
f. Paul prayed for believers
1. Col 1:9-11 NKJV
(9) For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(10) that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(11) strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
2. Col 1:3 NKJV
(3) We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
3. Rom 1:8-10 NKJV
(8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
(9) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
(10) making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
4. Eph 1:15-19 NKJV
(15) Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
(16) do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
(17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
(18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
(19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
g. Asking God With Right Motives (Mk 6:41: 7:34) (From Jam w11)
1. According to God’s Interests and will (PCT 380)
a. praying the way Jesus would (1Jn 5:14-15; Joh 16:24 ; Mat 6:5-13 )
b. asking in Jesus’ name: in harmony with His character, reputation and authority;
2. Bringing glory to God the Father (Joh 14:13-15 )
3. With Heavenly Wisdom from God (James 3)
4. In agreement with His commandments or in obedience (1Jn 3:22; Joh 15:7
h. open communication with God
i. Sin hinders until one confesses and repents (Psa 66:18; Isa 58:1-2)
j. God is waiting to hear and answer (Matt 7:7-11)
3. Godly Counsel
a. seeking spiritual counsel from mature trusted Christians
b. this gives objectivity and experience
1. Pro 19:20 NKJV
(20) Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days
2. Pro 27:9 NLT
(9) The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
c. Pro 11:14 NKJV
(14) Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
d. Pro 15:22 NKJV
(22) Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
e. counsel gives wisdom (Rel Intro)
1. skill in living a godly life (JMSB)
2. what you do with what you know, with knowledge (Skip H)
3. godly wisdom—understanding what God wants you to do with what you know (Skip H)
4. comes from fearing God and the Word of God and from believers
f. those who reject godly wisdom are fools and will not be at peace or blessed
(Prov 1:20-33)
1. their end is destruction
g. those who seek and listen to wisdom will have a prosperous life and live securely in life
1. their end is life
h. Pro 3:13-18 NKJV
(13) Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
(14) For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
(15) She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
(16) Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.
(17) Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.
(18) She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.
i. wisdom contrasted with folly
1. Pro 12:15 NKJV
(15) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
2. Pro 14:16 NKJV
(16) A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.
3. Pro 18:2 NKJV
(2) A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart..
4. Pro 28:26 NKJV
(26) He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
5. Pro 1:5 NKJV
(5) A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6. Pro 1:7 NKJV
(7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction..
7. a fool thinks he is right in his own mind, he is arrogant and careless, he does not take joy in understanding, he trusts in his own heart, does not fear God and he intensely dislikes and hates wisdom and instruction
8. a wise man listens to godly counsel, he is cautious, turns away from what displeases God, he takes joy in understanding, he trusts in God, he lives wisely, he hears and increases in learning, he fears God and he loves wisdom and instruction
4. Circumstance
a. is it possible to pursue this option at this time?
1. examples:
a) can I play football if all my time and energy is going to school and a part-time joy?
b) can I date this person even though they are moving away?
c) should I buy a car?
d) should I marry this person now?
2. taking into account our needs, interests, health, finances
b. God sometimes guides and directs through external circumstances— leading supernaturally, naturally
c. Paul was not always able to go and do what he wanted to
1. Rom 1:13 NKJV
(13) Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
2. Act 16:6-10 NKJV
(6) Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
(7) After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
(8) So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
(9) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
(10) Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
d. check with scripture, prayer and godly counsel also because circumstances may not always be clear
1. if it is difficult to do something it may mean it’s God’s will
2. if there are no obstacles it does not always mean it is God’s will
e. God sometimes does not say “no” or “yes” but “wait” (Jam week 14)
1. yes, but not right now
2. we need to adjust to God’s time
a. Ecc 3:14 NLT
(14) And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose is that people should fear Him.
b. His will show us His will according to His time (Study Bible pg1822)
c. He may be giving us time to prepare
d. it may seem like nothing is going on.
e. He is always on time
3. Paul intended to go to Asia but God re-directed him to Macedonia
a. God did not want him to go to Asia at that time.
4. God’s will includes not only the “what” and “how” but the “when”.
a. the “what” is the things He wants us to do
b. the “how” is the way He wants us to do those things
c. they “why” tells us the reason for those things
d. the “when” tells us the timing, the order of events
5. we must submit to both God’s will (what/how) and timing (when)
6. God reveals His will when we surrender our lives to Him, when we live by faith, trusting Him with our life
f. we should work to have God’s desires, interests, glory in mind when we plan to do things and be willing to change our plans if He so desires.
5. Application
a. are you obeying God’s universal will; what God has clearly said is His will in the Bible?
b. If you want to know what God’s specific will is for your life, you must be obedient to His universal or general will
c. Before you choose an option, are you checking it with the Bible, prayer, and godly counsel?
d. Obeying God’s will requires work, dedication, effort to make sure you are not doing something that displeases Him.
6. Summary: God’s Specific Will
a. dependant on His universal will
b. Check List
1. Scripture
2. Prayer
3. Godly Counsel
4. Circumstance
Summary: Knowing and Doing God’s Will
1. Obey God’s universal/general will as revealed in the Bible
2. Seek God’s specific will for your life using scripture, prayer, counsel and circumstances
a. God’s specific will is His will for us when we have various options to choose from
b. God’s will moves from general to specific to our individual lives
3. Do whatever you want once you have done the first two steps
a. believing and trusting that if your desire is not God’s will He will make it clear (Josh McDowell)
b. Psa 37:3-5 NET.
(3) Trust in the LORD and do what is right!
Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!
(4) Then you will take delight in the LORD,
and he will answer your prayers.
(5) Commit your future to the LORD!
Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.
1. take joy in, be satisfied in God and He will grant you the requests of your heart.
a. involves recognizing and understanding who God is and what He has done
2. trust or lay upon your life to God and He will make it happen
a. specifically God will vindicate the righteous
b. He will defend your righteous and just cause (v.6)
c. means having confidence and security in God
3. those who delight in God, trust Him and are satisfied in Him will desire what He desires
4. they can then do whatever they want by faith/trust
c. if you are obeying God’s universal will, and seeking His specific will, then He is in control of your prayers, desires and wants
1. if we are dwelling or remain in Christ and His word, we will have right desires
a) Joh 15:7 NKJV
(7) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
b) 1Jn 3:22-24 NKJV
(22) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
(23) And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
(24) Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
d. God likes to use people who are already moving, who are doing His will (John Macarthur)
1. God may redirect us when we are on the move, available, open to His direction and conforming to His will (Act 9:32-35)
2. many times we start off in God’s general will and He leads us into His specific perfect will
a) He redirected Paul to God to Macedonia (Act 16:6-10)
1) Paul wanted to preach but God had a specific paln and purpose for him
2) our plans may not be the same as God’s plans
b) God has the right to and does intervene and put us on a different path, the path that He wants us on (Day 7 Acts 16:1-10)
c) we will not always understand why God does things but He loves us
d) when we seek Him He will reveal the way
3. we should not sit around passively but wait actively
4. we should persistently seek God’s will
5. His will has more to do about us than a specific place
a. following Godly desires
6. no matter what we are called to thank Him in every circumstance (1Thess 5:18)
e. Application
1. we can do whatever we want in faith when we submit to God’s universal will and seek His specific will by scripture, prayer, counsel and circumstance
2. Are you delighting in God? Taking joy in and being completely satisfied in Him alone?
3. Are you trusting your life to God?
4. Can you honestly say that your desires are God’s desires?
5. Are you persistently seeking to know and do God’s will for your life?
4. Things to consider (PCT 500)
1. remember that the way we carry out God’s will is also important
2. we must continue to submit to His direction and strength (Eph 5:18; Phil 4:13; John 15:4-5)
3. relying on Him to do His part as we do our part (Gal 2:20; 5:16)
4. having right motivation (1Cor 10:31; 2Cor 5:9-21)
5. acting in God’s time for doing His will (John 2:4; 7:6, 30)
6. God usually does not show us all His will at once but reveals it in parts as we obey Him in what He has already revealed to us (Act 8:26-27)
5. Evaluate the Results
1. if after we have done what we believe God’s specific will is for us we find out that it was wrong, we must deal with it as sin, repent and confess and seek God’s direction to fix it.
Guiding Questions to Questionable Practices and Situations (PCT pg. 496-97)
Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling Youth
1. Relating to God
a. will this action or behavior glorify and honor God?
1. 1Co 10:31-33 NKJV
(31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(32) Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
(33) just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
2. Does it hinder God’s work in your life?
a. 2Ti 2:14-16 NKJV
(14) Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
(15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(16) But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
2Ti 2:21-23 NKJV
(21) Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
(22) Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(23) But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
1. context: Paul to Timothy about serving
4. Eph 4:30 NKJV
(30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
5. Eph 5:7-11 NKJV
(7) Therefore do not be partakers with them.
(8) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
(9) (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
(10) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
(11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
b. can we do this by faith in God?
1. Gal 2:20 NKJV
(20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
2. our old self, who we were before we were saved, is dead
3. we now have a new nature
4. to have doubts about the rightness of an action or to act without God’s approval is to sin
c. can we do this in Jesus’ name?
1. Col 3:17 NKJV
(17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
2. Jesus’ name represents His person, who He is, His character, His function, His power and authority and His interests
3. is what we want to do in agreement with the nature of Jesus and with His interests?
2. Relating to other People
a. will this behavior cause others (saved or not) to stumble, hinder their spiritual life?
1. 1Co 6:12 NKJV (Also 10:23)
(12) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
a. NLT
You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything.
b. context:
1. Corinthians were abusing their freedom in Christ
2. freedom in Christ is not license to sin
3. sexual immorality
2. 1Co 8:9, 13 NKJV
(9) But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
(13) Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
a. context
1. Christian liberty
2. food sacrificed to idols
3. new Christians who were weak in their faith could stumble if they saw other Christians eating food that they bought from markets
a. food that was not sacrificed to idols and left over from pagan feasts
3. Rom 14:14-21 NKJV
(14) I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
(15) Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
(19) Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
(20) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.
(21) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
a. context
1. strong believers may cause weaker young believers to violate their own conscience if they think their behavior is sinful
2. hindering spiritual growth of another believer
3. abusing Christian freedom carelessly and selfishly
4. 1Co 10:23, 31 NKJV
(23) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
5. 1Co 10:31-33 NKJV
(31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(32) Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
(33) just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
NLT
You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is beneficial.
a. context
1. Christian liberty
6. it may be a wrong action that tempts others to sin or
7. a lawful action that violates the conscious of another (1Cor 8:10-12)
8. considering how our actions affects others
9. Does this action/ behavior give a bad witness to the world of who God is and who Christians are?
a. Mat 5:13-16 NKJV
(13) "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
(14) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
(15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
(16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
a) Salt was used as seasoning or fertilizer or as a preservative (NET)
1) If salt ceased to be useful, it was thrown away.
2) With this illustration Jesus warned about a disciple who ceased to follow him.
3) Genuine salt can never lose its flavor.
b) impure salt with other minerals would loose it’s effectiveness
(JMSB)
c) light is our witness before the world by our good works, righteousness, and godly living (Devo 12/4/06)
b. 1Pe 2:11-12 NKJV
(11) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
(12) having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
c. Php 2:14-15 NKJV
(14) Do all things without complaining and disputing,
(15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
b. will this behavior promote the well being of others? (1Cor 13:4-7)
1. Rom 13:10 NKJV
(10) Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
2. Rom 15:2 NKJV
(2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
3. will it help others grow in their relationship with God? (1Cor 8:1: 14:26)
4. may involve giving up our personal rights and interests for God
a. 1Co 9:19-23 NKJV
(19) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
(20) and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
(21) to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
(22) to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
(23) Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
1) Paul adapted to those he was ministering to as long as it did not go against God’s Word
b. 1Co 10:23-24 NKJV
(23) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
(24) Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
c. Rom 14:21 NKJV
(21) It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
5. involves putting others before ourselves (Rom 12:3 ; 1Pe 5:5)
a. Php 2:3-5 NKJV
(3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
(4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
(5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
1. we are to consider others better than ourselves (John 13:34; 1 Cor 13:4; Rom 13:9-10; Phil 2:3-4)
3. Relating to Ourselves
a. what kind of effect will this behavior have on my body and mind?
1. 1 Cor 6:12-20
a) 1Co 6:20 NKJV
(20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
2. God uses our body to bring glory to Himself in this world (v.20)
3. our bodies are to be God’s instrument or tools for righteousness
a. Rom 6:13 NKJV
(13) And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
4. we are not to do anything that violates our bodies’ well being and sanctity (1Thess 4:3-7; 1Cor 6:18)
5. we are to avoid anything that enslaves us (1Cor 6:12; Rom 6:12)
a. Rom 6:12 NKJV
(12) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
Rom 6:12 NLT
(12) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.
6. we are to give ourselves to God for His use and glory (Rom 12:1; Eph 3:17; 4:1; Col 3:16-17)
7. it is sinful to give ourselves over to things that causes us to lose self control and to act opposite of God’s will (Rom 6:11-13; 8:5-8; Gal 6:8; Col 3:5-8; Acts 5:3)
b. what effect will this behavior have on my spiritual life, on my relationship with God?
1. will this decrease my desire for God’s word, prayer, worship, fellowship and ministry (1Pet 2:1-2)?
a. 1Pe 2:1-2 NKJV
(1) Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
(2) as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
b. Col 3:16-17 NKJV
(16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
c. Job 23:12 NKJV
(12) I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.
d. Psa 119:103 NKJV
(103) How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
e. 1Jn 2:15 NKJV
(15) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
f. 1Jn 1:6-7 NKJV
(6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
(7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2. does this violate my conscience (Rom 14:5, 23)?
3. will this ruin my testimony before the world (1Tim 4:12; 2Tim 2:22)?
a. 1Pe 2:13-16 NKJV
(13) Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,
(14) or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
(15) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men
(16) as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
4. Job 31:1 NKJV
(1) "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?
III. Summation:
God’s will can be known if we desire to learn and obey it. If you want to know what God’s specific will is for your life, you must be obedient to His universal or general will. To know God's will we must read, study and meditate on His Word. God’s will may not always be what we want. We must submit to both God’s will (what/how) and timing (when).
IV. Invitation:
Are you obeying God’s universal will as revealed in the Bible? Are you seeking God’s specific will for your life using scripture, prayer, counsel and circumstances? If you are you can do whatever you want by faith. God’s primary will is for us to recognize our need for Him so we can to be saved from our sins and personally know Him. Do you know Him?
Notes:
PCT pg 495-96
Josh McDowell’s Handbook on Counseling Youth: Knowing God’s Will (pg. 495-500)
Found: God’s Will by John MacArthur Jr.
Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling Youth