Is it God's Will or My Own Desires? 5 Questions to Ask

Romans 12:1-2 NIV, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

In these verses we see:

Dedicate your life to the Lord in everything.
Don’t conform to the ways of the world.
Transform yourself by renewing your mind. (prayer and studying God’s Word)
When doing these, you will be able to test what God’s will is.

James 1:5 NIV “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

If you need help, go to the Lord in prayer and tell Him. this is His promise that He will guide you through the Holy Spirit.

Here are some questions to help you when making decisions:

Is Your Heart Prepared?
Are You Trusting God in Everything?
Does Your Decision Agree with God’s Word?
Are You Listening for God in Your Circumstances?
Do You Have Peace about Your Decision?

Is Your Heart Prepared?

Confession

1 John 1:9 NIV “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

This is something you should do everytime in going to the Lord in prayer. Sin is a barrier to communication with the Father.

Thankfulness

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Entering God’s presence with praise and thanksgiving gives Him the honor He deserves. This is showing your respect for Him.

Are You Willing?

Matthew 6:10 NIV “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Jesus included in His prayer, the willingness to accept God’s will on earth just like it is in heaven. Are you ready to follow His will and make it yours?

Are You Depending on the Holy Spirit?

John 16:13 NIV “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

We can depend on the Holy Spirit to give us answers because He only speaks what He hears from God the Father. Jesus gave us this gift just before He ascended back into Heaven.

Are You Trusting God in Everything?

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Are you trusting God with all of your heart?
Don’t listen to your understanding.
Submit to Him in all your ways.
What happens? He will lead you the right way.

Sometimes, we are trusting God only in certain areas. Be sure you are committing all of your life to Him.

Does My Decision Agree with God’s Word?

Matthew 4:4 NIV ” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

As bread is food for our bodies, God’s Word is food for us spiritually. He gave us His Word so we would have a resource to know what He wants us to do and not do.

Matthew 7:24 NIV “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Here Jesus is telling us that if we put His Word into practice, we are using His wisdom to grow in Him.

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”

God’s Word is powerful and used to help us in teaching, rebuking, correcting and in this case, learning God’s righteous will.

When you are making a decision, ask, is there anything in the Bible that my decision doesn’t agree with? Are the consequences questionable?

Are You Listening for God in Your Circumstances?

Psalm 23:3 NIV “He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.”

Proverbs 15:22 NIV “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

In Psalm 23:3, David has witnessed the Lord guiding his steps along the right path. God wants others to see His glory when we let Him guide us. He knows better than us the right way to go.

Look at your circumstances involving this decision. Who might know how to guide you because they have had similiar experiences and will give wise advice.

When they have given their opinion, make sure it’s not conflicting with God’s Word.

Sometimes, someone may say something unknowingly that helps. Be aware when God speaks through others.

Do You Have Peace about Your Decision?

1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.”

When we become stressed, we have a tendency to become confused, or worried if it’s the right decision. Once you have made it, trust the Lord it’s right. Confusion and disorder are not from the Lord. We create that ourselves or let others do it.

If you have peace about the decision, that’s a good sign you are on the right road.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

We know when we carry our burdens to God, He gives us a wonderful peace. If you have been talking to the Lord about your decision and depending on Him for the right one, He will give you peace.

Conclusion

The fact you are concerned about your decisions, means you want God’s will in your life. Making sure you are moving forward in your walk with Him can give you confidence in His will.

Remember: