This is a complex theological question that has been debated for centuries. On one hand, God’s will is perfect and ultimately good. Questioning or doubting God’s will could be seen as lacking faith. However, God also gave us free will and intellect. Carefully examining moral issues is part of our human experience.
What does the Bible say about God’s will?
The Bible speaks often of God’s sovereign will and plans. Verses like Proverbs 19:21 state “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Romans 8:28 promises “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God’s will is presented as supreme and unquestionable.
However, the Bible also shows people questioning, wrestling with, and even arguing with God. In Genesis 18, Abraham questioned God’s plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Moses questioned his own abilities when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3-4). The book of Job depicts Job arguing with God about the cause of his suffering.
While the Bible insists God’s will is ultimately for our good, it also shows people honestly expressing confusion, doubt, and distress to God during hardship. Humility before God is valued, but honest questioning also has a place in faith.
Does God’s will always seem good to us?
One complicating factor is that God’s will does not always appear ‘good’ from a human perspective, especially when it involves suffering. Christians affirm that God has good reasons for allowing evil and suffering, even when those reasons are beyond human understanding.
For example, God allowed Job to suffer though Job was righteous. However, in the end God restored Job and rebuked Job’s friends for claiming Job must have deserved his suffering. The book of Habakkuk describes the prophet questioning why God allowed injustice to prevail among the Israelites. God’s response was that his ultimate plan would be revealed in time.
Therefore Christians affirm that God allows suffering for ultimately good purposes, even if we cannot understand them. Faith means trusting God’s will despite our limited human perception of good and evil.
How are we to discern God’s will?
Given that God’s ways are above our ways, how can believers be confident they are interpreting God’s will correctly? This discernment requires wisdom and humility.
First, we must seek God’s will through prayer and reflection, not our own desires. 1 John 5:14 says “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” We can humbly ask for God’s guidance.
Second, we can look to biblical principles for guidance. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) Immersing ourselves in God’s word helps us discern his heart.
Finally, we can seek counsel from spiritual leaders and mature believers. Proverbs 15:22 says “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” The body of Christ can provide wisdom and perspective for challenging situations.
Can persevering prayer change outcomes?
Some point to Biblical stories of persevering prayer as evidence that we can in a sense change God’s mind. For example, Jesus commends the persistent widow who kept pleading her case before an unjust judge until he helped her (Luke 18:1-8). Does persistent prayer lead God to change outcomes to align with our desires?
This is a difficult question with much debate among theologians. On one hand, it could be argued that God sometimes allows our persistent prayers to influence outcomes as a way of partnering with us. On the other hand, it is dangerous for us to think we can control God. Our call is to align our will with His, not the other way around.
Perhaps a balanced view is that God sometimes allows our prayers to impact outcomes in ways that align with His ultimate will. However, it is best to pray seeking God’s will above our own desires. We can pour out our hearts to God while trusting that He will respond with wisdom and love.
How do we avoid passive resignation?
Some Christians wrongly use “God’s will” as an excuse for passively accepting injustice or not working hard to improve lives. How do we avoid this resignation?
First, remember that God calls us to be active participants in His will. He chose Moses to confront Pharaoh. Jesus called the disciples to feed the hungry and help the oppressed. God’s will often involves actions on our part.
Second, we have responsibilities to act justly and show mercy (Micah 6:8). Working against poverty, oppression, and suffering expresses God’s heart for justice. We partner with God through our actions.
Finally, God gave us work as part of his perfect design for human flourishing. We honor God by working diligently and innovating wisely. Passive resignation is often laziness disguised as spiritual piety.
God’s will includes both his control and human responsibility, divine plans and our work. As the Scottish theologian Thomas Chalmers stated “God has expressly made it our duty to inquire into both sides of the question, before we proceed to action; and, therefore, inquiring into both sides of the question cannot possibly be offensive to him.”
Conclusion
Questioning and even struggling with God’s will is a normal part of the human experience, found throughout the Bible. While God’s will is always good, it often transcends human logic and perception. We are called to eagerly seek God’s will through scripture, prayer, counsel, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. At times we can even persevere in prayer that outcomes align with His perfect will and purposes. However, the posture of faith is ultimately one of trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty, even when we cannot understand His ways.