God's Perfect Will for You

by Skip Heitzig | Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Most Christians have memorized Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." But how is this transformation, this total change of mind, accomplished?

You'll notice that there's a negative and a positive. In the negative, "Do not be conformed," God calls us to be nonconformists. We should not conform to the thinking, attitudes, or values of this world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talked about the pagan world and said, "Do not be like them" (Matthew 6:8).

The J.B. Phillips translation renders Romans 12:2 this way: "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould." The world wants you to parrot its value system and agree with what they say you ought to be. But don't let the world squeeze you into that.

Now here's the positive: "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Too many Christian institutions seem to have an unwritten rule when you enter them: "Please check your brain at the door, and just swallow everything we give you." No. Your mind matters, and you should think critically and, if need be, question. The apostle Paul commended the Bereans, because "they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Be like them.

If they could listen to Paul and think, "I'm going to search the Scriptures to see if what he says is true," how much more should we be doing that today? Your mind matters to God. You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (see Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27), to think through things intelligently, clearly, and critically.

And there's a practical truth here. When you don't conform but are transformed, the result is you'll discover what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

When people come to know Christ, they're excited that their sins are forgiven, they have heaven waiting for them, and they have a new life purpose. But they quickly begin to wonder, How do I discover God's will for me?

Some think discovering the will of God is difficult, strange, or weird. Maybe God will give me a sign. Maybe I'll hear a voice from heaven, or somebody will speak a word of prophecy to me. Of course, God could use any of those means. But usually God moves supernaturally naturally, not weirdly or strangely. You will just discover. You'll walk in it. The Lord will put you in the right place, and you will prove the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Here's something to consider: Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and then do what you want. Now, think that through critically. If you truly love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, what you want will be God's will. If you truly love Him, you'll want to honor Him, glorify Him, and follow the dictates of His Word.

So love God and then do what you want. You'll come to realize that what you want is to discover what He wants and then do what He wants. He'll place those desires in your heart. And you'll prove His perfect will.

HAVE SKIP'S TEACHINGS IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?

Many thousands have enjoyed Skip's verse-by-verse Bible teachings

"Your teaching helps me to understand God. My life is not easy and there was a time I was jealous of my husband because he is in heaven and I have to deal with so much. I almost couldn't take it. One day I told God to quit, but then He let me know He is always there, so I decided to go further in my life with Him. It's still not easy but I know one day I will understand."

—Myriam