Text: (Acts 9:1-6)
One of the most important questions a person can ever ask is not simply about success, provision, or longevity, but about direction. If you were granted a face-to-face encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and allowed to ask only one question, many sincere hearts would be inclined to ask, “Lord, what would You have me to do?”
That very question was asked by Saul of Tarsus during his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. In that moment, Saul asked two questions of eternal significance. First, “Who art Thou, Lord?” a question that determines one’s eternal destiny. Second, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” a question that defines one’s purpose in time.
Notably, God did not rebuke Saul for asking. Neither did He ignore him nor conceal His will. Saul was directed, instructed, and guided step by step. In the same way, God does not hide His will from His children. He desires to make it known and to lead His people into it.
This study examines how to know the will of God, beginning with an understanding of how God’s will operates and continuing with the practical ways He reveals it to those who seek Him.
THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD’S WILL
Before a believer can know God’s will, there must first be a clear understanding of its nature. Scripture reveals that God’s will operates in three distinct, yet harmonious, ways.
i. God’s Sovereign Will: God’s sovereign will refers to His absolute and unchangeable purposes that will always be accomplished. Nothing in heaven or on earth can hinder or frustrate what God has determined to do (Isaiah 46: 9-10). Much of this aspect of God’s will remains hidden from human understanding and is known fully only to Him.
ii. God’s Moral Will: God’s moral will is clearly revealed in Scripture and does not change with time, culture, or societal opinion. It defines what is right and what is wrong and governs the believer’s conduct and daily living (Micah 6:8). God’s moral will calls His people to live in obedience, integrity, and holiness, shaping how they speak, act, and relate to others.
iii. God’s Particular Will: In addition to His sovereign and moral will, God has a specific and personal will for each believer. This includes His unique purpose for one’s life, calling, relationships, and service (Acts 9:15). While God’s moral standards apply to all, His particular direction may differ from one person to another. These three aspects work together in the believer’s life. God sovereignly saves, morally instructs His people in right living, and personally directs them according to His purpose.
THE PERVERSIONS OF GOD’S WILL
Many believers struggle to know God’s will, not because He is silent, but because they hold incorrect assumptions about how He guides.
i. God’s Will Give a Complete Road Map: God does not usually reveal the entire journey at once. Instead, He calls His people into a relationship of trust and daily dependence, revealing each step as they walk with Him (Exodus 13: 21).
ii. God’s Will Leads to an Unhappy Life: Some fear that surrendering to God’s will will lead to hardship or loss, but scripture teaches otherwise. A loving Father delights in giving good gifts to His children (Luke 11:11-13).
iii. God Speaks Only to a Selected Few: God’s guidance is not reserved for spiritual elites or leaders alone. He speaks to every willing believer who is attentive to His voice (John 10:27).
iv. Guidance Requires a Dramatic Experience: Saul’s encounter on the Damascus road was extraordinary, but it was not the norm. More often, God guides through quiet conviction and gentle prompting (1 Kings 19:11-12).
v. God Only Calls the Young: God continues to guide and use His people at every stage of life. As long as a believer lives, God still has purpose and work for them to fulfill (Psalm 92:12-15).
vi. God’s Will Is Hidden and Must Be Discovered: God does not conceal His will as a puzzle to be solved. He reveals it lovingly to those who seek Him with a sincere heart (John 14:21).
THE PRECONDITIONS FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE
God’s guidance is often conditioned on the spiritual posture of the believer.
i. Willingness to Obey: God reveals His will to those who are genuinely willing to obey it (Acts 9:6). When a person approaches God with predetermined idols, plans, and merely asks for approval, clarity is often withheld (Ezekiel 14:3-6, 7-8). Full surrender opens the door to divine direction.
ii. A Teachable Spirit: The meek are promised guidance from the Lord (Psalm 25:9). A heart that is humble and teachable is far more likely to discern God’s leading than one marked by pride or self-reliance.
iii. Openness Through Prayer: Consistent and sincere prayer positions the believer to receive God’s direction. As believers spend time with God in private, listening as well as speaking, clarity often follows. Many times, God is speaking, but His people are too distracted to hear.
iv. A Yielded Life: When God speaks, obedience must follow. Saul responded immediately to the Lord’s instruction (Acts 9:8-9). A life that is yielded in all areas (i.e., relationships, career choices, business decisions, and future plans) can expect continued guidance from God (Luke 14:26-33; Romans 12:1, 2).
THE PRACTICES OF GOD’S GUIDANCE
God reveals His will in ways that are clear, understandable, and accessible to His people.
i. Through Extraordinary Means: On rare occasions, God may use miracles or dramatic interventions, as He did with Saul (Acts 9:3-4). However, believers should not wait for such experiences before serving or obeying God.
ii. Through His Word: Scripture remains God’s primary means of guidance. It provides principles that apply to every area of life, including marriage, career choice, business, and future planning (Psalm 119:105; Matthew 5:18).
iii. Through Godly Counsel: God often confirms His will through mature and godly believers. Wise counsel helps provide balance and clarity, especially when making significant life decisions (Acts 9:10-20; Proverbs 11:14; 24:6).
iv. Through the Holy Spirit: The indwelling Holy Spirit leads believers into truth and provides inner conviction and peace (Romans 8:14; John 16:13). Those who belong to Christ learn to recognize His voice and follow His leading (John 10:27).
Conclusion: God has a purposeful plan for every believer’s life (Jeremiah 29:11). He desires that His children walk in clarity rather than confusion, both now and as they look toward the future. As believers seek direction for marriage, career, business, ministry, and the coming seasons of life, God remains faithful to guide those who are willing, teachable, prayerful, and yielded. If you do not yet know God’s will, seek Him with humility and obedience. If you already know it, examine whether you are faithfully walking in it.
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