UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL (1)

“Therefore do not be unwise, but UNDERSTAND what the WILL of the Lord is” – Ephesians 5:17

In addition to His Ways, UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WILL is critical to walking with and pleasing Him: “Therefore do not be unwise, but UNDERSTAND what the WILL of the Lord is” (Eph.5:17). Every Believer is meant to understand the Will of God. However, knowing His Will is a prerequisite to understanding it: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and PERFECT WILL OF GOD” (Rom.12:2). God wants the totality of our lives to conform, not to the present evil world system, but to His perfect Will – “the Image of His Son” (Rom.8:29). Turning our back on the world, and having our mind renewed by God’s Word enables us to discern His Will, Plan, or Purpose which is good, acceptable, and a delight to us and to Him.

Knowing or proving God’s Will refers to distinguishing His Will from all else: “FINDING OUT what is acceptable to the Lord” (v.10). God wants us to know His Will accurately; that is, to discern and prove His Will beyond any shadow of doubt. Paul prayed for the Colossians: “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the KNOWLEDGE of His WILL in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col.1:9). Nothing is more rewarding than living in the centre of His Will: “Epaphras … greets you always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in ALL THE WILL OF GOD” (Col.4:12).

Many teachings emphasize and stop at the level of knowing God’s Will, but understanding and doing His Will are even more crucial. The Will of God is not a dark, hidden secret or a riddle to be solved. God wants us to know, understand, and follow His Will with great certainty. In seeking His Will, we must UNDERSTAND exactly what we are looking for. Many people jump out with a presumed knowledge of God’s Will for their lives and still make a shipwreck of faith, because they lacked understanding (Pro.4:7). A house is built by Wisdom, but it is established by Understanding (Pro.24:3). Understanding captures the details, intricacies or complexities of God’s Will.

Understanding succeeds Knowledge, and precede Doing! Our omniscient God knows what He wills to accomplish in and through us; and what we will do or not do in any circumstance. His plans are for our good and for His Glory; and they will never fail or be flawed. However, the extent to which we’ll walk in the reality of His Plan and Purpose is determined by our Knowledge and Understanding of His Will. It takes understanding to DO “the WILL of God from the heart” (Eph.6:6); and to “stand perfect and complete in ALL the WILL of GOD” (Col.4:12).