From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires. —1 Peter 4:2 (GNT)
One of the most important decisions you must make as you walk with God is to allow His will to guide your life. Before coming to Christ, you may have made decisions based entirely on your desires, ambitions, and personal preferences. However, as a believer, you are called to submit your life to God’s instructions and will.
Unfortunately, many Christians want God to bless their plans without first considering whether those plans agree with His Word. They pursue whatever appeals to them and only seek God’s guidance when difficulties arise. However, genuine discipleship involves learning to place God’s will above selfish desires.
Someone might ask, “But how do I know God’s will for my life?” You begin by studying His Word and obeying the instructions He has already revealed. God’s will is not always a mysterious message about your future. The Scriptures clearly teach us many things that God expects from us, including holiness, love, honesty, gratitude, and obedience. Your responsibility is to align your life with these.
Remember, when Jesus faced the mission He had to accomplish, the Bible records that He prayed:
“Father,” he said, “if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.” —Luke 22:42 (GNT)
Did you see that? This demonstrates the importance of surrendering personal desires to the will of the Father.
Therefore, as you walk with the Lord, make a conscious decision to seek God’s guidance in your daily life. Before making important decisions, examine whether your intentions agree with biblical principles. Pray for wisdom, seek appropriate counsel, and remain willing to change your plans when necessary.
Do not assume that every personal desire is automatically God’s will simply because you feel strongly about it. Remember, submitting to God’s will does not mean abandoning responsibility or refusing to make decisions. It means making those decisions with a heart that desires to honor Him. So allow God’s Word to become the standard by which you evaluate your choices.
Today’s Rhema
Do not allow selfish desires to govern your life; surrender your decisions to the will of God!
Prayer
Father, I thank You for Your perfect wisdom. I surrender my plans, desires, and ambitions to You. Help me to recognize Your will through Your Word and give me the courage to obey You in all things, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
