Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will

by Kevin DeYoung

God’s will of decree.

God’s will of desire.

Both sides of God’s will are in Scripture. God’s will of decree —what He has predetermined from eternity past—cannot be thwarted. God’s will of desire—the way He wants us to live—can be disregarded.

Doing the will of God means we say no to the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and our pride in possessions.

God’s will of direction.

Does God have a secret will of direction that He expects us to figure out before we do anything? And the answer is no.

Trusting in God’s will of decree is good. Following His will of desire is obedient. Waiting for God’s will of direction is a mess. It is bad for your life, harmful to your sanctification, and allows too many Christians to be passive tinkerers who strangely feel more spiritual the less they actually do.

This is the first reason we seek to know God’s specific will of direction for us: We want to please Him.

The second reason some of us seek God’s will of direction is because we are, by nature, quite timid.

The third reason we seek God’s will for direction is we are searching for perfect fulfillment in life.

We have too many choices.

we should be humble in looking to the future because we don’t control it; God does. And we should be hopeful in looking to the future because God controls it, not us.

Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting in the promises of God.

When we hyper-spiritualize our decisions, we can veer off into impulsive and foolish decisions.

Worry and anxiety are not merely bad habits or idiosyncrasies. They are sinful fruits that blossom from the root of unbelief.

Wisdom is understanding the fear of the Lord and finding the knowledge of God.

Wisdom is knowing God and doing as He commands. Foolishness, on the other hand, is turning from God and listening only to yourself.

Biblical wisdom means living a disciplined and prudent life in the fear of the Lord.

The first way to get wisdom is to store up God’s commands (1). The second way is turn your ear to wisdom (2). And the third way is to call out for insight (3).

Present your bodies as living sacrifices. (2) Do not conform to the world. (3) Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. If we do these three things, then we will be able to discern what God’s will is. This is how the Christian life works.

God wants us to develop a taste for godliness.

Study the Scriptures, listen to others, and pray continually—that’s the best course of action, not just at the moment of crisis, but as a way of life.