Biblical Studies Institute
Christian Living · Discipleship
God's Will vs. My Will
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
— Romans 12:2 (ESV)
"Not my will, but yours, be done."
— Luke 22:42 (ESV)
One of the most fundamental struggles of the Christian life is the tension between God's will and our own desires. Every believer faces moments when personal ambitions, preferences, and plans conflict with what God calls us to do. This comprehensive biblical study examines the nature of God's will, how to discern it, the call to surrender, and the profound peace that comes from submitting our will to His perfect purposes.
Introduction: The Universal Struggle
The conflict between divine will and human will is as old as humanity itself. Adam and Eve chose their own will over God's command in Eden. Israel repeatedly rejected God's ways for their own. Even Jesus, in Gethsemane, faced the agonizing tension between His human desire to avoid suffering and the Father's redemptive plan.
This struggle is not evidence of weak faith but of genuine humanity. We are moral agents with real choices, created with wills that can align with or resist God's purposes. The Christian life involves the progressive surrender of our will to God's—a process that begins at conversion and continues throughout life.
Understanding God's Will: Different Aspects
Scripture speaks of God's will in different ways. Understanding these distinctions clarifies apparent contradictions and helps us navigate decisions wisely.
θέλημα
thelēma (THEL-ay-mah) — Greek Noun
The Greek word thelēma (will) refers to what one wishes or desires to happen. In the New Testament, it describes both God's will and human will. The context determines whether it refers to God's sovereign decree, His moral commands, or His desires. Understanding which sense is intended is crucial for proper interpretation.
βουλή
boulē (boo-LAY) — Greek Noun
The word boulē refers to God's counsel, plan, or purpose—His sovereign decree that cannot be thwarted. Acts 2:23 speaks of Jesus being delivered up "according to the definite plan (boulē) and foreknowledge of God." This aspect of God's will always comes to pass.
Three Aspects of God's Will
Aspect Description Can It Be Thwarted? Example Sovereign Will God's decree—everything He ordains or permits No—always accomplished Christ's crucifixion (Acts 2:23) Moral Will God's commands—how He desires us to live Yes—we can disobey Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) Individual Will God's specific guidance for personal decisions Yes—we can choose otherwise Paul's travel plans (Acts 16:6-10)God's Sovereign Will
God's sovereign will encompasses everything that happens. "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases" (Psalm 115:3). This includes both good things God directly causes and evil things He permits but does not cause. Joseph recognized this when he told his brothers: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20).
We cannot thwart God's sovereign will. "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). This truth brings comfort—God's ultimate purposes will prevail regardless of human opposition.
God's Moral Will
God's moral will consists of His commands—how He desires us to live. Scripture clearly reveals this will: love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39), pursue holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3), give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
Unlike His sovereign will, God's moral will can be—and frequently is—violated. Every sin is a rejection of God's moral will. Yet God remains sovereign even over human disobedience, working even our failures into His ultimate purposes.
God's Individual Will
Beyond moral commands, God guides individuals in specific decisions: career choices, marriage partners, where to live, ministry opportunities. This guidance comes through Scripture's principles, prayer, the Spirit's leading, counsel, and circumstances.
While God has preferences for our decisions, He often allows freedom within moral boundaries. Whether you choose job A or job B (both ethical), God can work through either. This freedom is grace, not abandonment.
Biblical Examples: God's Will vs. Human Will
Jesus faced the ultimate conflict between human will and divine will. He prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." His human nature naturally recoiled from suffering, yet He surrendered completely. This is the model for all believers.
God commanded Jonah to preach to Nineveh; Jonah fled to Tarshish. He successfully resisted God's moral will temporarily but could not escape God's sovereign will. The storm, the fish, and eventual obedience demonstrate that resisting God brings consequences, yet His grace restores.
Paul planned to preach in Asia, but "the Holy Spirit did not allow them." He then tried Bithynia, but "the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them." Finally, the Macedonian vision redirected him to Europe. Paul's flexibility to God's redirection changed the course of Christian history.
God tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac—the son of promise. Abraham's willingness to surrender what he loved most demonstrated faith that God's will, however incomprehensible, was trustworthy. God provided a ram, but Abraham's surrender was complete.
Jesus told the young man to sell his possessions and follow Him. The man "went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." He chose his will over God's, revealing that his wealth was his true god. Some surrender God never requires; this was not one of them.
How to Discern God's Will
Scripture provides clear guidance for discerning God's will in specific situations:
- Study Scripture: God's revealed will in the Bible is the foundation. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). Never expect God to lead contrary to His Word.
- Pray Consistently: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God" (James 1:5). Prayer aligns our hearts with God's and opens us to His guidance.
- Seek the Spirit's Leading: "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). The Spirit guides through inner conviction, peace, and prompting.
- Obtain Godly Counsel: "In an abundance of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). Mature believers provide perspective we may miss.
- Consider Circumstances: God opens and closes doors (1 Corinthians 16:9; Acts 16:6-7). Circumstances alone don't determine God's will but provide data points.
- Evaluate Motives: "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). When our desires align with God's, decision-making becomes clearer.
- Look for Peace: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15). God's will typically brings peace, though not always comfort.
- Take Faithful Action: Sometimes God's will becomes clear only as we step forward in faith. "The steps of a man are established by the LORD" (Psalm 37:23).
The Call to Surrender
Discerning God's will is only the beginning. The harder step is surrendering our will to His.
What Surrender Means
Surrender to God's will involves:
- Yielding Control: Releasing our grip on outcomes and trusting God's wisdom over our own
- Dying to Self: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23)
- Obeying Despite Cost: Following God's commands even when personally costly
- Trusting God's Goodness: Believing that God's will is "good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2) even when painful
- Releasing Outcomes: Doing what God commands and leaving results to Him
Barriers to Surrender
Common obstacles to surrendering to God's will include:
- Fear: Worry about what God might ask us to give up or endure
- Pride: Believing we know better than God
- Unbelief: Doubting God's goodness or wisdom
- Idolatry: Loving something more than God
- Past Hurts: Unresolved pain making trust difficult
The Blessings of Surrender
While surrender is costly, Scripture promises profound blessings:
- Peace: "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you" (Isaiah 26:3)
- Guidance: "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go" (Psalm 32:8)
- Purpose: Living for God's purposes brings meaning that self-centered living cannot provide
- Fruitfulness: "Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit" (John 15:5)
- Eternal Reward: "Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21)
"Surrender is not a one-time event but a daily discipline. Every morning brings new opportunities to choose God's will over our own. The Christian life is a thousand small surrenders that add up to a transformed life."
— Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
When God's Will Is Difficult
Sometimes God's will involves suffering, loss, or paths we would never choose. How do we respond?
Biblical Perspective on Suffering
Scripture is honest that God's will sometimes includes hardship:
- Jesus suffered before entering glory (Luke 24:26)
- Paul was given a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
- Many faithful believers suffered greatly (Hebrews 11:35-38)
- Suffering produces character and hope (Romans 5:3-5)
- God comforts us in affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Trusting God in Difficult Seasons
When God's will is painful:
- Lament Honestly: The Psalms model bringing raw emotions to God
- Remember God's Character: Recall His past faithfulness
- Lean on Community: Allow others to support you
- Look for God's Work: Ask what God is teaching or doing through the trial
- Keep Obeying: Continue following God's moral will even when circumstances are difficult
Key Takeaways
- God's will has multiple aspects: sovereign (what He ordains), moral (what He commands), and individual (personal guidance).
- We can resist God's moral and individual will, but never His sovereign will—His ultimate purposes prevail.
- Discerning God's will involves Scripture, prayer, the Spirit's leading, counsel, circumstances, and peace.
- Surrender means yielding control, dying to self, obeying despite cost, and trusting God's goodness.
- Jesus in Gethsemane provides the ultimate model of surrendering human will to divine will.
- God's will is always "good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2), even when it involves suffering.
- The blessings of surrender include peace, guidance, purpose, fruitfulness, and eternal reward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I know God's will for my life?
Scripture provides several ways to discern God's will: through His revealed Word (Psalm 119:105), prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), the Holy Spirit's guidance (Romans 8:14), godly counsel (Proverbs 15:22), and circumstances (Romans 8:28). God's moral will is clearly revealed in Scripture; His individual will for specific decisions requires prayerful discernment within biblical boundaries.
What is the difference between God's sovereign will and His moral will?
God's sovereign will refers to everything He ordains or permits to happen—His ultimate purposes that cannot be thwarted. God's moral will refers to His commands and desires for how we should live—what pleases Him. We can disobey God's moral will, but never His sovereign will. Understanding this distinction helps resolve apparent contradictions about God's will.
What does it mean to surrender to God's will?
Surrendering to God's will means yielding our desires, plans, and control to God's perfect wisdom and purposes. It involves dying to self (Luke 9:23), trusting God's goodness even when His will differs from ours (Matthew 26:39), and obeying His commands even when costly. Surrender is not passive resignation but active trust and obedience.
Can I resist God's will?
You can resist God's moral will (His commands) through sin and disobedience. However, you cannot ultimately thwart God's sovereign will—His ultimate purposes will prevail (Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 46:10). Resisting God's will brings consequences and discipline, but God in His grace can redeem even our disobedience for His purposes.
What if I made a wrong decision? Can God still work through it?
Yes, God can redeem wrong decisions. Joseph's brothers meant evil, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). Peter denied Christ but was restored. God's sovereignty works through human mistakes. While we should seek God's will carefully, His grace covers our errors, and He can bring good from our failures when we repent and continue following Him.
Does God have a specific plan for every decision I make?
Scripture suggests God has moral boundaries for all decisions but often allows freedom within those boundaries. Whether you choose coffee or tea, job A or job B (both ethical), God can work through either. His primary concern is that we love Him, obey His commands, and grow in Christlikeness. Wisdom involves making good decisions within God's moral will, trusting Him to guide and redeem our choices.
Scholarly References
- Boice, James Montgomery. Romans: The New Life. Baker Books, 1996.
- Bridges, Jerry. The Discipline of Grace. NavPress, 1994.
- Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest. Dodd, Mead & Company, 1927.
- Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline. Harper & Row, 1978.
- Keller, Timothy. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work. Dutton, 2012.
- Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. Romans: The New Man. Banner of Truth, 1973.
- MacArthur, John. The Will of God: Can I Know It?. Thomas Nelson, 2013.
- Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. HarperOne, 1998.