Stop Searching, Start Living

How to Know God's Will and Make Good Decisions
Have you ever struggled to know God's will for your life? Do you find it difficult to make good decisions even when you know what God wants? You're not alone. Making godly decisions can be challenging as we battle against our flesh daily.

The good news is that God's will isn't a mystery. It's clearly revealed in His Word, and we don't need to search for hidden signs or messages to discover it.

Understanding the End Times
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul addresses the church about the end times. He tells believers they should already know about these things. As Christians, we should be aware that:

• The end times are coming, though we don't know when
• No true peace or safety will exist until Christ returns
• As believers, we shouldn't fear the end times with dread
• We are "children of light," not darkness
• We are not appointed to wrath but to salvation

The end times should comfort believers, not frighten us. We can encourage one another with these truths as we walk in the light of God's Word.

God's Will Clearly Revealed
In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, Paul outlines God's will for believers. Verse 18 explicitly states, "For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." God's will isn't hidden, it's plainly revealed in Scripture.

Here's what God's will looks like in our daily lives:
1. Warn the Unruly
Love sometimes means speaking truth to those who are rebelliously ignoring God's Word. When we see someone heading down a wrong path, we should care enough to lovingly redirect them.
2. Comfort the Feeble-Minded
Not everyone understands Scripture at the same level. Some struggle with comprehension or application. Instead of judging them, we should come alongside and help them understand God's Word.
3. Support the Weak
We all have areas of weakness. Supporting the weak means walking alongside those who struggle, praying for them, and helping them through their difficulties without judgment.
4. Be Patient Toward All Men
Patience goes beyond mere tolerance—it's being long-suffering with everyone. This includes difficult people, those who test our patience, and those who don't seem to learn from their mistakes.
5. Render No Evil for Evil
When someone wrongs us, our natural response is to retaliate. God calls us to respond with goodness instead of returning evil for evil—to anyone.
6. Follow That Which Is Good
We should pursue what is good—and the standard for goodness is God Himself and His Word.
7. Rejoice Evermore
This doesn't mean being artificially happy all the time. It means not allowing circumstances to rob us of the joy we have in Christ. The best time to praise God? When you don't feel like it.
8. Pray Without Ceasing
Maintain an ongoing conversation with God throughout your day. This doesn't mean praying 24/7 without breaks, but keeping an attitude of prayer and dependence on God.
9. In Everything Give Thanks
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude, recognizing God's goodness in all circumstances.
10. Quench Not the Spirit
Don't ignore the Holy Spirit's promptings. When He directs you to do something, do it.
11. Despise Not Prophesyings
Don't reject God's truth when it challenges you. Be open to correction and instruction from God's Word.
12. Prove All Things
Test everything against Scripture. Don't just take someone's word for what the Bible says, verify it yourself.
13. Hold Fast to What Is Good
Cling to God's truth as if your life depends on it, because it does. Develop a firsthand relationship with Christ through His Word.
14. Abstain From All Appearance of Evil
When in doubt about whether something is right or wrong, err on the side of caution. Let God define what is evil, and avoid anything that might compromise your witness.

God's Promise of Sanctification
The beautiful promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 is that God Himself will sanctify us completely. Our sanctification isn't primarily our work, it's His. "Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it."
When we try to sanctify ourselves through our own efforts, we fall into condemnation. But when we walk with Him in faith, He transforms us into Christ's image.

Life Application
This week, instead of searching for God's mysterious will, commit to living in His revealed will. Here are some questions to consider:

1. In which areas of my life am I being "unruly" by ignoring God's clear commands?
2. Am I patient with difficult people, or do I respond with frustration and anger?
3. Do I maintain an attitude of rejoicing and thanksgiving even in challenging circumstances?
4. When was the last time I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to do something, and did I obey or quench that prompting?
5. Am I testing everything against Scripture, or am I accepting teachings without verification?

The challenge is simple but profound: Stop looking for God's will as though it's hidden, and start living in the will He has already revealed. Trust that as you walk in obedience, He will faithfully complete the work of sanctification in your life.