Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will means recognizing that three forces shape your choices—the devil’s will, your own will, and God’s will. God patiently works in you, giving both the desire and ability to do what pleases Him. As you present yourself to God and allow your mind to be renewed through repentance, you gain the power to test and prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
Finding The Will Of God
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
Audio
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Philippians 2:5, Philippians 2:12-13, 2 Timothy 2:22-26, 1 Corinthians 7:37, 1 Corinthians 16:12, Ephesians 2:3, Romans 12:1-2,
The Mindset of Christ
Philippians 2:5
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Last week, we studied Philippians, starting at chapter 2, verse 5. This verse encourages us to adopt the same mindset and attitudes as those of Christ Jesus. We discussed what those attitudes were. Jesus did not see equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he understood his purpose was to become human and fulfill God’s plan for his life. This obedience led him even to death on the cross.
We reflected on how grateful we are for what Jesus did. His actions had an impact on people. In the same way, when we follow God’s will for our lives, we can also affect others. If we hold on to things that are not part of our eternal purpose, we may never influence anyone. But if we embrace God’s calling for us, we can make a real difference in the lives of many.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
Working Out Your Salvation
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Paul’s message in Philippians 2:12 tells us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This statement is often misunderstood. Paul is not saying that we must work for our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear that salvation is a gift from God, received by grace through faith. We do not earn it by our own efforts.
However, after receiving salvation, we are called to live it out. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works. This means that our faith should produce visible actions. Each person has their own salvation to work out. You cannot work out someone else’s salvation, nor can they work out yours. The Christian life is not just about saying a prayer or attending church. It is about letting God’s purpose be fulfilled in your life.
Paul warns that many people may think they are saved because of outward actions, such as prophesying or performing miracles. But Jesus said that only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. It is not about religious activity but about obedience to God’s will.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
God is the one who works in us, giving us both the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him. This process is not easy, even for God, because He must work against our own will and the enemy’s influence. God labors to shape our desires and actions in accordance with His purpose. The grace of God is what empowers us to do what He calls us to do. Our salvation becomes visible as we obey God and fulfill His unique calling for our lives.
The main topic today is discovering how to find the will of God for your life. Many people wonder what steps they should take to know God’s will. They also question how they can be sure they have found it. Is there a way to prove or test if you are truly following God’s will? The answer to these questions is yes, and that proof will be explained by the end.
Before reaching that point, it is essential to understand that there are three different beings involved in seeking your will. Three entities are all working to influence your choices: you, the enemy, and God. This understanding is necessary to help you find and confirm God’s will for your life.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
The Struggle Between God’s Will, the Devil’s Will, and Our Own
2 Timothy 2:22-26
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
According to 2 Timothy 2:22, believers are urged to flee youthful lusts and instead pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It is easier to follow these virtues when you surround yourself with others who share the same values.
The passage warns against engaging in foolish and ignorant arguments. Avoid foolish questions. Such debates only lead to strife and division. Instead, servants of the Lord should be gentle, patient, and able to teach others. When people oppose biblical teaching, they are not just resisting the teacher; they are actually opposing themselves. This opposition can manifest in actions such as withholding tithes or becoming upset with worship. Ultimately, resisting godly instruction harms the individual more than anyone else.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
Repentance, or the ability to think differently and turn toward God, is something only God can grant. No one can force another person to repent; it is a work that God must do in each heart. When God moves in a life, it is vital to recognize and embrace that moment. I do not understand why God gives repentance to some and not others, but insists that it is God alone who brings about genuine change.
2 Timothy 2:26 explains that people must recover themselves from the snare of the devil. The devil seeks to trap people and take them captive to do his will. Opposing those who teach righteousness can lead to falling into the devil’s trap. The speaker urges listeners not to oppose those trying to do right, as this plays into the devil’s hands.
We struggle to discern between God’s will and the devil’s will. This is the first challenge for anyone seeking to do God’s will. The second challenge is dealing with one’s own will, which is often the greatest struggle of all.
Exercising Your Own Will
1 Corinthians 7:37
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
1 Corinthians 7:37 highlights an important truth. The verse says that a person has power over their own will. This means each person can make their own decisions. The context of the verse concerns a father’s decision about whether his daughter should get married. In biblical times, the father had the authority to choose for his daughter. The passage uses this example to show that people can exercise their own will.
The main point is not just about marriage customs. The focus is on the fact that everyone has a will of their own. The Bible teaches that individuals are responsible for their choices. This principle applies beyond the specific situation in the verse. It is a reminder that personal willpower is a biblical concept.
1 Corinthians 16:12
12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.
Ministers, like all believers, have their own will. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 16:12 about wanting Apollos to visit the Corinthians. However, Apollos chose not to go at that time because it was not his will. He decided to visit when it was more convenient for him. This shows that even those in ministry make choices based on their own will.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
The same principle applies in church settings today. Sometimes, believers feel prompted by God to speak in tongues, give an interpretation, or prophesy. Yet, their own will can override God’s prompting. Many people have experienced moments when they knew God wanted them to act, but they held back because their will was stronger.
There are obstacles to doing God’s will. The devil’s will can stop you. Your own will can also interfere and prevent you from obeying God. Often, the biggest struggle is not with outside forces but with your own will. Recognizing this struggle is essential for spiritual growth.
Ephesians 2:3
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
What it’s talking about here is that one time we were lost, and we were fulfilling the desires of the flesh. The word “desires” is the same Greek word that is translated as “will” in other passages.
Before we were converted, we lived according to the desires of our flesh and mind. We fulfilled the will of our flesh and were, by nature, children of wrath. Even after salvation, we still face conflict with our own will. Believing in Jesus Christ does not automatically change our will.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
There are three types of will to consider. The first is the devil’s will. The second is our own will. The third is the will of God. The goal for believers is to follow God’s will above all else.
Presenting Yourself to Discover God’s Will
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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.
Paul urges believers in Romans 12:1 to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God. This is a personal act. Each person must make this decision for themselves. Presenting yourself to God is the first step to discovering His will. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were typically made from dead animals. In the New Testament, believers are called to become living sacrifices. This is called your reasonable service.
Transformation comes by renewing your mind. This means changing your perspective, day by day. Repentance is not a one-time event. It is a daily process. As your mind is renewed, you become less like the world and more like Christ. This change is called metamorphosis, similar to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. When your mind is renewed, you can test and prove what God’s will is. You do not have to guess. You can know God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
Positioning is important. Just as the priests positioned themselves to receive God’s blessing, believers must position themselves to receive from God. This means being present for prayer, Bible study, and church gatherings. When you put yourself in the right place, you are more likely to experience God’s blessing and learn His will.
The process of transformation also affects your family and community. When you present yourself to God, it influences those around you. Your home, finances, and relationships begin to change. You start to love what God loves and leave behind old habits. The church community helps shape your thinking and actions.
To find God’s will, three things are needed. First, prayer. Others should pray for you, and you should pray for yourself. The second is sanctification. You must keep your life pure and stay away from things that lead you away from God. Third, patience. After doing God’s will, you need patience to receive His promises. God’s will is revealed step by step, as you continue to present yourself and wait on Him.
Knowing God’s will is not complicated, but it requires commitment. If you do not present yourself, pray, or seek purity, you will not discover His will. The key is to keep presenting yourself to God and allow Him to transform you each day.
Finding The Will Of God: How to Overcome Your Own Will
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