Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
One of the most frequently asked questions Christians ask regarding their faith is, “How can I discern God’s will for my life?” Related to this is, “How can I know if I’m outside God’s will?”
Sometimes, people find themselves in a quandary, believing that God’s will is overly restrictive—but it’s not. It’s a vast expanse with clear boundaries.
I believe this is one of the many great truths taught in the second of the two creation stories at the beginning of the Bible:
Genesis 2:7, Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Then, in verse 15, The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work and care for it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it, you will certainly die.”
One of the many great truths taught in this story is that you can’t have freedom without boundaries!
Paul writes about this to the Corinthian church:
1 Corinthians 10:23, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. (Beneficial = to the advantage of the common good).
Within the boundaries God has set, we have incredible freedom. Keeping that in mind, let’s look at four principles to help us uncover God’s will for our lives. The first question we should consider when making a decision is this:
1. What do the Scriptures say?
Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Our text tells us what God’s will is: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
The previous chapter, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable.
The scriptures give us general guidelines for decision-making. Study them! Know them! Do them!
Q. But what about the specifics? Who am I meant to marry? Should I get married or remain single? Which university will I go to? What course should I enrol in? Where should I live? What career will I choose? Can I leave this job and find another one? Which church will I join?
The scriptures don’t provide specific guidance on these matters, but the following three principles assist us in discovering some answers:
2. What does wisdom suggest?
I.e., Is this course of action wise at this particular time?
Wisdom is the ability to put your knowledge into action.
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Wisdom means we won’t make a decision we know to be foolish (it may be acceptable at another time). Wisdom will also guide us to make choices that align with our gifts and passions.
3. Take the initiative.
Again, this is reflected in the second creation story.
Genesis 2:19-20, Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
So, we don’t know what names Adam gave to the animals, but we do know that he used his initiative. God has given you a mind—use it!
Paul encourages Timothy with these words: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7):
Amp. a calm, well-balanced mind.
HCSB: sound judgment.
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4. Submit to the sovereignty of God.
Luke 22:42 NKJV, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Matthew 6:10, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
James 4:13-15, Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you should say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
And so, this is God’s will in your decision-making. Ask yourself:
- What do the Scriptures say?
- What does wisdom suggest?
- Take the initiative.
- Submit to the sovereignty of God.
Discussion Questions
Share stories of when and how you have discovered God’s will. What did you do, and how did God confirm that you’d made a wise decision?
Are there times you feel you’ve slipped outside of God’s will? (Only share your experiences if you feel comfortable doing so).
Read Genesis 2:7, 15. What boundaries has God placed on us to define our freedom? Consider 1 Corinthians 10:23 in your answers.
The scriptures give us general guidelines for decision-making. What Bible verses come to mind that help you make wise choices?
Discuss: “Wisdom will guide us to make choices that align with our gifts and passions.”
Read and discuss what Scripture reveals about our mind (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 4:7; Colossians 4:2). How can you apply these verses daily?
Discuss the decision-making formula and how this could help you to make good choices:
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