How to Know God’s Will for Sure

Learn how to know God’s will for sure when making major or minor decisions, even about situations that aren't in the Bible. #ThrivingInChrist #Godswill #decisions #biblicaltruths #Godsvoice #prayer #direction #choices #spiritualgrowth Learn how to know God’s will for sure when making major or minor decisions, even about situations that aren’t in the Bible.


[This post is part of A Biblical Foundation to Hearing God’s Voice series]

It is much easier to know God’s will when you know His voice. Consume the Word of God, especially while you’re learning to recognize His voice.

Hebrews 5:14 tells us that the spiritually mature has a keen sense of discernment due to the constant practice of distinguishing between good and evil. My mentors and spiritual authority figures have helped to keep me from going astray while making decisions, especially the years of coming into a greater spiritual maturity.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)

You can be sure that you are asking according to God’s will if you are declaring what He has already promised.

Some examples of God’s wonderful promises:

  • Our needs met. (Philippians 4:19)
  • His granite strength for our day. (Psalm 138:3)
  • The measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
  • A liberal outpouring of wisdom. (James 1:5)

You might be wondering: how do I know God’s will about situations that aren’t in the Bible? That’s a great question. Let’s start by covering when you make a minor decision.

How do I know God’s will about situations that aren't in the Bible? Click to learn some tips. Click to Tweet

Minor Decisions to Know God’s Will

God didn’t create you to be a robot; He gave us a will and the choice to follow Him. He is in control of your life, but He does not force you to obey Him. Besides obeying His leading, you make dozens of decisions daily.

You have the mind of Christ, and He has given you wisdom. You don’t need to seek God on what to make for lunch every day. That would be kind of comical, right?

“Lord, should I make the peanut butter and jelly or the grilled cheese today?”

Your time would be better spent praying for others, for example.

Major Decisions to Know God’s Will

A great way to know you have heard from God on a personal (non-doctrinal) issue is when you receive multiple confirmations. God speaks through different avenues to bring confirmation to us for specific direction. You might see doors to one choice closing while all the doors to the other choice open wide.

For a hypothetical example, let’s say that you need to go back to school and you are trying to decide which one. You would pray and ask God to show you what His will is, and it would seem that everywhere you turn a certain school is being brought to your attention.

You might sit down at a restaurant and suddenly there is a random commercial about that school. Then, perhaps later you’re in the waiting room flipping through a magazine and happen to see an article about someone who attended that school. You may run into an old acquaintance and find out they just graduated from that school and gave it a good report. You might mention it to those closest to you and see if everyone including yourself is getting a peace, then it looks like you are receiving confirmations to go to that certain school.

I wanted to know God’s will concerning who I was going to marry. I asked God to bring him into my life at an early age. We met when I was only 14. He was the sole guy my parents didn’t have a problem with me talking to, because they knew he was the one for me. My brother was also able to confirm that. God told Justin as well as our pastors and mentors. In all, I received seven confirmations from the Lord!

Learn how to know God’s will for sure when making major or minor decisions, even about situations that aren't in the Bible.

3 Keys to God’s Will

Know It

Take a cue from Paul and Timothy in Colossians 1:9 and pray this:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Colossians 1:9 ESV

God won’t contradict His Word. He will confirm it.

Delight in It

Psalm 40:8 (ESV) says, “I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Pray this. If you delight in God’s will (that He has revealed to you), you will do it.

Do It

Meditate on the following two verses:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 ESV

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 ESV

These verses show us that God’s will is done by not only God but people. Follow through. Are you all talk and no action? Remember the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words.” You will see God’s will come to fruition through your obedience to Him.

How Can I Know for Sure It’s the Will of God?

Here are a few questions to ask when you’re in the middle of making a decision. Reflecting on these might help dispel any doubt:

  1. Does it line up with what the Bible says?
  2. Is this decision wise or foolish?
  3. Do I have peace instead? Or feel troubled in my spirit?
  4. Will this bring honor to God?
  5. Can I honestly ask the Lord to help me achieve it?

Don’t stress over whether or not you’ve made the right decision.

Hasn’t God promised to show you what you don’t know when you ask (Jeremiah 33:3)?

Didn’t He say you’d receive what you ask of Him in faith (Matthew 21:22)?

Isn’t His secret with the righteous (Proverbs 3:32)?

He is certainly with you and knows the details of your life. He cares what happens to you and will lead you because you are His child.

Do you have an experience you can share about knowing God’s will?


Don’t stress over whether or not you’ve made the right decision. Here’s how to know God’s will for certain. #ThrivingInChrist #Godswill #decisions #biblicaltruths #Godsvoice #prayer #direction #choices #spiritualgrowth

A Biblical Foundation to Hear God’s Voice Series

How to Hear God’s Voice

Implement These 4 Tips Now to Learn God’s Voice

Lose the Frustration: Discern Counterfeit Voices and Know God’s Voice

8 Characteristics of God’s Voice

A Dangerous Mistake That Will Make You Miss God’s Voice

How to Pray When You’re Desperate to Hear God’s Voice


Here’s how to thrive in knowing God’s will for sure, even with situations that aren’t described in the Bible. #ThrivingInChrist #Godswill #decisions #biblicaltruths #Godsvoice #prayer #direction #choices #spiritualgrowth

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Here’s how to know if you’ve heard God’s voice about His will. This article even covers situations that aren’t in the Bible. #ThrivingInChrist #Godswill #decisions #biblicaltruths #Godsvoice #prayer #direction #choices #spiritualgrowth

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5 Comments

  1. Solid advice, Kelly! I tend to focus on the is it right, is it good, is it true? (And if something is hard to see if it’s right, the good and true bits there usually help to sort that out.) Or, last year, when I was reading the Divine Dance by Richard Rohr, I began to read God’s will as “am I creating something or am I destroying something?” (Reflected in the right, good, and true properties again, of course.) Because even on bigger decisions, such as what career to pursue, who to marry and where to go to school, God’s will can and will be at work within a number of options. It’s awesome to get confirmation, but when we don’t (while we’re honestly seeking his will), a lack of confirmation may be a sign that God’s will is at work within either option.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Is it right, good, and true seems like a good plan. Does it glorify God. There’s so much more that could be said on this subject. I agree with your last point. It doesn’t have to be complicated. We simply can invite God into our day and our decisions.

  2. Great post, thanks for sharing! I love when God blesses us for listening – it’s amazing!

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Hi, Jenna! Yeah, He can be such a part of our lives if we only invite Him in. Thanks for stopping by!

  3. I love this Kelly!
    Realizing God’s voice isn’t something separate or in addition to His word, but rather the knowledge that we are conformed to His word. Always taking the care to KNOW that what we ask is in accordance with scripture teaches our conscience which can help us to sense when we are going in the right way or the wrong way.
    Letting His word, the given revelation of scripture, be our guide will never guide us wrong.

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