FINDING THE WILL OF GOD
by Alan Yusko

I want to introduce this tract by stating that I'm not an expert on finding the will of God. As time goes by I am always open to learn more about the goodness and greatness of God. This tract has several of my thoughts concerning how a person may discern the will of God for their lives. I've been saved since 1977 so I've had over 20 years of learning and growing in Christ to come to these understandings.

Every Christian who loves God will be seeking God's will as they go through life with its goals, trials, and tribulations. There are certain things a person can do to find God's will and there are other things that can be done to be led astray into confusion and discouragement. In this tract we will cover the blessings and pitfalls on seeking and finding the will of God for your life.

We will start this tract by looking at some pitfalls of seeking the will of God. The first pitfall is a term I made up called:

SCATTERBRAIN

Scatterbrain is a term that I use to apply to someone who is seeking the will of God but has not set an overall goal for the outcome. As a result this person goes one way this day thinking it may be God's will then tomorrow he goes another way. Rather than staying on course and seeking a specific target this person tries a random set of actions hoping that the Lord's will for his life will be the end result.

James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Here is an example. A student finishes school as a computer programmer. Now obviously he wants to get a computer programming job. When seeking the will of God that person should be praying specifically for a job in programming. Now while he is looking for work an opportunity comes up for a job as a shipper/receiver in a warehouse. He then thinks that maybe God is talking to him about getting the shipper/receiver job. He then puts in his application to the shipping/receiving job assuming if it is God's will that He will open the door of opportunity. As he is doing that another job opportunity comes up for a computer operator. Even though he is trained for a programming job he also applies for the operator job and thinks that God is able to open or close the door if it is His will. Here is the problem: This person is a scatterbrain without a end result goal. He went to school for a programming job and should have his sights set only for programming jobs. He should keep his goal in mind and reject any jobs that take him away from the programming job that he has been trained for. Instead he is applying for anything that comes along wondering what the will of God is for him. Well if he is trained for a specific skill, computer programming, then he should stick with his goal of getting a programming job. When the shipping/receiving job comes up he should just say: 'no thanks' and keep seeking and praying for the programming job. By not having a set goal this person is using the scatter brain method to try to find God's will.

Scatter brain activities are to be avoided. Once you feel led in a certain direction by God then stick to it! Do not be turned to the left or to the right and get off path from your target goal. If at a later date God changes your target goal then that would call for a change in action on your part.

1 Cor 15:58
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The next pitfall is a very common one with some Christians who do not rely on the Bible for guidance and leading. It is the faithless procedure of laying out a fleece:

LAYING A FLEECE

Gideon laid fleeces before God and was answered by visible signs to his questions. Laying out a fleece does not involve faith in God. Because Gideon did it many Christians think this is the way to find the will of God. Ask for some sign from God and when it happens or doesn't happen a person then tries to discern the will of God. The only problem is that everyone who lays out fleeces will be fleeced by the devil. I believe the devil is the one who actually answers the fleece for the purpose of deception and misleading the person from their walk from God. God expects His children to walk by faith. He has given us His Word with all kinds of wonderful promises. Since we are to walk by faith and not by sight, using a 'sight' based fleece is to be avoided.

First lets look at Gideon and see the extreme lack of faith in using a fleece:

Judges 6:37-40
37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
40 And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

The extreme lack of faith can be seen in the fact that Gideon did not believe the first fleece he laid. He required another fleece from God before he believed. God wants His people to believe and trust in Him without visible signs. Besides visible signs rarely convince anyway. The first time God answered Gideon he still doubted. He then asked God for another sign to validate the first sign he was given. What a faithless thing to do!

This is NOT what God wants a Christian to do. We are to walk by faith down here on earth and not by sight. The Bible says:

2 Cor 5:6-7
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight)

John 20:29
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

The Bible calls Christians to a walk of faith and not one of sight where God can be called down from heaven to perform little signs to show us His will. The Bible is sufficient and is all a Christian needs in this life. Through faith a person may discern the will of God. Fleeces are not of faith and should be avoided. They will mislead and hurt a Christian as God does not answer fleeces. I personally believe that the devil is in the job of answering fleeces. God expects faith and does not give little signs. Do not be misled and deceived by laying out fleeces. Learn to trust God and to walk by faith.

Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Here is an example of someone laying a fleece. One girl is really drawn to a man. She lays out some kind of a fleece before God. She says something like: Lord if it is your will for us to be together let me bump into him unexpectedly today. Since she prayed this fleece to God she is sure the devil cannot answer. So she starts her day. On the way home from work she sees this man from a distance on a bus stop. She is happy as can be that God would give her a sign. She is now convinced that this man is the one for her! She begins to pray like crazy for God to bring them together. However this person is not a Christian and he is currently shacking up with a honey (living common-law with a girlfriend). She continues to hope and pray. Other men come by interested in her but she turns them away. She wants God's man for her life and her fleece has shown her the man. As the years go by she becomes very discouraged and even angry at God. Why did you mislead me she cries to God in anger! Actually God never mislead her at all. She did it to herself by laying out a godless, faithless fleece. She was deceived and missed the will of God for her life. As a result she is hurt and scared because of this long drawn out situation of pain.

If you lay fleeces or know anyone who does then warn them. They WILL be mislead and deceived with the end result being pain and suffering. Perhaps their faith will be shaken as they will grow angry at God for something He really didn't do.

The next pitfall involves little voices in the head that some claim to hear. Instead of reading, studying, and searching the Bible for God's will this person thinks he can talk one-on-one to God. He thinks God talks to him with a little voice in the head.

LITTLE VOICES IN HEAD - SUPPOSEDLY GOD TALKING TO YOU

This pitfall is done mostly by young Christians or tares. They get the mistaken idea that if they talk silently to God that He will answer them silently with a voice in their mind. Also many of the name-it-and claim it false teachers have detailed conversations with God. These word-of-faith false teachers come up with lines stating that last night when they were having a conversation with God... He told me... etc... You would think these so-called word-of-faith teachers were so close to God having all these personal one-on-one audiences with God. At least that is what they would have their followers to believe. God supposedly tells them all kinds of things many of which do not even line up with what the Bible says. These men get 'words' from God, visions, and dreams and their followers wonder why God speaks to them and not to normal individuals. Well the simple answer is that it is NOT God speaking to these false teachers. They are wolves who deceive and are being deceived by the devil.

I heard one person in the laughing revival from hell claim she was talking to God. She said that God told her to howl like a wolf for Him. She said to him ... no Lord I can't do that. But God supposedly told her to do it anyway. So she in obedience howled like a wolf for God at the laughing revival meeting. Isn't that stupid! However many people get deceived by little voices in the head and do silly and crazy things.

As a result people try to imitate these people and try to have conversations with God in their minds. The only problem is that God does not talk to people in their minds in a conversational mode. God has given us His Word and he wants His people to walk by faith and trust here on this earth. The bottom line is using little voices in the mind is just as faithless as laying out a fleece. God has given His people His Word and it is sufficient for all our needs. When we get to heaven we will then have one-on-one audible conversations with God but no where in the New Testament is there an indication that we can do that here in our walk on earth. God wants his people to walk by faith and not by sight. By listening to thoughts coming into your mind and thinking you can have a two way conversation with God is misleading and opens the person up to deception. Do not do this!

Here is an example of an unstable man I once knew who claimed to have one-on-one conversations with God (voices in the mind etc). At any rate this person met a girl and married her after knowing her for a couple of months. He told me that God told him to marry this girl. The girl had mental and emotional problems. Well their little marriage lasted almost 3 months then this man was single again. What happened to God's will? Surely if he had heard from God by the little voices in his head the marriage would have been the right thing to do. However, in reality this person did NOT hear from God. He was an unstable man who did foolish things while claiming he had heard from God.

Well those are some of the pitfalls to finding the will of God. Be warned and avoid them. You will also avoid all kinds of pain and grief by doing so.

CORRECT WAYS TO FIND THE WILL OF GOD:

We've looked at a few traps and pitfalls that will lead a person away from God's will into deception. Now lets consider how a person can use their faith to properly discern God's will for their life.

1) Point one is the Word of God. Does it line up with what the Scriptures say? The first test for the will of God is to see if what you are seeking is acceptable to the revealed Word and will of God. By searching the Bible you can tell if it is it a good thing that is acceptable before God.

Ps 119:105
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

There are all kinds of promises and blessings in God's Word, the Bible. The Scriptures should be read each and every day without fail. As a Christian feeds on the Word of God he grows and matures in Christ. The will of God is easier to discern as a person grows closer to God and increases in knowledge about the things and wisdom of God.

1 Pet 2:2
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

So don't avoid God's Word. Be sure to read it each and every day without fail. You will find Gods Will in His Word.

2) Agreement in husband/wife. If you are married both husband and wife should be agreed in the course of action. If either party has severe reservations then that should be treated as a warning signal for more prayer and discussion. Married people are one flesh and should seek the will of God together with agreement as they pray.

Matt 19:5
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

3) Parents. Your parents are the most unique people in the whole world. If your parents are good people who do not sexually abuse and hurt their children, they are an invaluable resource for finding the will of God. Parents want good for their children as long as they live and I believe God gives them supernatural wisdom and guidance for their children. They are also people who are not fickle and quickly reject their children like friends can do. Most friends are conditional people who are your friends as long as things are good. However if circumstances change many friends will leave and no longer want to be your friend anymore. This is why friends are rarely a good source for discerning the will of God. They may give advise or their opinion but their input should not be given weight over other good sources such as a spouse or parents. Parents are not like friends and they are loyal to their children until death. Now obviously there are exceptions to this rule but overall parents are committed to their children for all their lives. As a result parents should be consulted for advise and their wisdom. They seek the good of their children and God has blessed the family relationship. To ignore input from caring parents is one way to make discerning the will of God much more difficult. Parents want to help their children. Even grown up children should consult their parents in matters related to the will of God. Unless parents are bums who do not care for their children be sure to involve them in your plans for the will of God for your life. It doesn't matter if the parents are saved or non-Christian. God still blesses the parents as they seek the good for their children.

Prov 1:8-9
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

4) Prayer. Of course all decisions related to the will of God should be bathed in regular prayer. God hears the prayer of His people and His ears are open to all the requests of His children.

Phil 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Ps 34:15
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Prov 15:29
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Prayer is very powerful. God's people pray and God's ear is open to their requests. Prayer should be constant and always be thankful as you make you request known to God.

Phil 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

5) Righteous wants. God does a unique thing with His children who walk with Him and who love Him. He creates righteous desires in their hearts then fulfills these desires. When seeking the will of God one of the questions to ask is: What do you WANT to do? Then right away test your want with Scripture to make sure it is a righteous want with no sin or compromise.

Ps 21:2
2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

Ps 37:3-5
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

As you can see, one way God blesses His people is to create righteous wants and desires in their hearts. He then allows them to be fulfilled which is a great joy.

Remember, when seeking the will of God always ask the question: What do I want? Then test your 'want' to see if it is a righteous want.

6) Your motive. Ask yourself the motive for the goal that you are seeking God's will. Is the motive a righteous one or is there self centeredness or greed at the root of the goal?

One example comes to mind. I remember talking to a person who said he was a Christian. He had bought several lottery tickets and was praying to God so he could win a million. He told me that with a million he could be more generous and give to Godly projects and help God's people. However it could be seen that he really wanted to be rich. As much as he prayed he never did win his million.

James 4:3
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Other things would have roots in greed. Like Lord I need a car. Please guide me so I can get a Mercedes.... or a 2 million dollar home. Don't even bother seeking the will of God if the root is greed. Search your heart and should be able to discern the motive of your request.

Is there any compromise? If there is any trace of sin or compromise then the desired goal is NOT the will of God. Again check things out with the Bible to make sure the root motivation is righteous.

7) Finally, move forward trusting and praying. If your motive is Godly and everything seems to line up then just move forward and take action. Never sit back and wait for God to drop something in your lap. God is able to open and close doors as you move forward.

Also keep in mind that a 'no' is as good as a 'yes' with the will of God. As you move forward on certain endeavors you will find all kinds of closed doors. There are times when God gives you a 'no'... do not do this... it is not my will for you. If you discern a 'no' be very thankful. I believe a no is as good as a yes with respect to the will of God. I know for myself if I got a 'yes' for every prayer request made in the last twenty years, I would be in quite a mess right now! I've learned to be very thankful for when God gives me a NO and I realize this is not His will for me.

CONCLUSION

The bottom line in finding the will of God is to use our faith. Our time on earth is to be spent walking by faith and not by sight. This involves seeking the will of God and trusting God for leading. Faith is a growing process. As the years go by you learn to use your faith in greater ways while walking with God. By waking with faith you learn that God is in control and He can be trusted. He does not give out all the answers or all the explanations to things that may happen in your life. As a Christian you must learn to trust God. God created the heavens and the earth and surely He can be trusted with your life! Christians can be assured that God is busy in our lives working out all things to our good.

Rom 8:28-29
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

This tract warned of some pitfalls in finding the will of God as well as showing the correct way to find God's will. Sometimes finding the will of God is not an immediate process. There are times when God's leading is not immediate. Perhaps the timing is not right or God is teaching us to be patient and trusting over time.

The walk of faith is a blessing but it is not always easy. Yes it is easy to trust God when times are good. However when trials come or when we desire an answer immediately our trust will be stretched. That is one goal God has for His people during their stay here on earth. Learning to trust God in good times as well as bad is a growing process. What you can trust God for today will increase five years from now. So when seeking the will of God be sure to use your faith and trust while avoiding fleeces, voices in the head and other faithless methods in finding the will of God.

If there is one point I would like the reader to get from this tract is not to throw out fleeces when seeking the will of God. I've seen so many do this faithless exercise and they are just setting themselves up for hurt and disappointment. Some individuals have told me that they covered their fleece in prayer so the devil cannot answer. However it is still a faithless activity and God wants His people to walk by faith not by sight and signs. No matter hard a person tries (or prays) a fleece leads to deception, misleading, and hurt. I believe the devil answers fleeces. So.... don't do it! Don't throw out a fleece and think God will answer! You will find out over time that the devil is very good at answering fleeces.

This tract closes by encouraging you to seek the will of God. But be sure to do it with trust, faith, and obedience to God's Word.


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