How to know God's will

"I delight to do Your will, O my God

And Your law is within my heart."

Psalm 40:8

No matter how old a person gets, the topic of how to know the will of God for their life is always relevant. I came across the following guidelines for knowing the will of God in the Prophecy Study Bible (1997, Thomas Nelson). It is quite comprehensive with supporting Scripture references.

We Know God's Will Through His Word

Knowing the will of God must not be thought of merely as finding a certain vocation in life. That aspect represents only a small part of God's will. Rather, the will of God is for everyone to live in conformity to His revealed will in His word.

a.  First of all, and most important, the will of God means believing Christ (John 6:40). If we do not take this first step in doing God's will, we will not be saved from judgment (Matt. 7:21; 12:50); if we do, we will live forever (1 John 2:17).

b.  Second, there are clear statements of Scripture which teach that God's will for every Christian includes sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3), giving thanks to God (1 Thess. 5:18), doing good (1 Pet. 2:15), and suffering for doing the right thing (1 Pet. 3:17).

c.  Third, the Bible is God's will and must be applied to our lives (Deut. 29:29). This fact involves commands to be obeyed, principles to be followed, prohibitions of things to be avoided, and living examples to be imitated or shunned. An attitude of delightful desire should fill all attempts to do God's will (Ps. 40:8). God takes great joy in those who cheerfully do His will.

Although the Bible is a complete revelation of God's will, there are always decisions we must make that are not covered by specific statements from Scripture. In order to know God's will in such instances we must be in fellowship with the Lord (1 John 1:6-7), seek principles from the Word (1 Cor. 10:6), obtain advice from godly counselors (Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 24:6), use common sense, and remember that God works through our own minds and desires to do His will (Phil. 2:13). When none of these principles seem to work, we must simply make the best possible decision, realizing that God will shut the door if it is not His will. Paul, for example, planned to go and see the Roman Christians, although not knowing if God would actually permit it in His will (Rom. 15:22-32). In most cases, however, the believer who thoroughly searches the Word will find the basis for an intelligent decision.