First, there is the secret will of God. This is called God’s hidden will. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29). There is no need trying to discern the secret will of God because the Lord keeps His own counsel. Attention is to be focused on knowing God’s revealed will.

Second, the revealed will of God is not only plainly stated, but it can also be perceived through the examples and principles set forth in Scripture. If there is a desire to know the will of God in a specific way, consider the following, and pray accordingly.

It is the will of God that His people be in the right geographical location, as the Spirit leads. “Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you” (Rom. 1:10).

It is the will of God that the Holy Spirit pray for the believer according to His will. “And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:27).

It is the will of God that believers not be conformed to this world. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2).

It was the will of God that Paul be called to be an apostle. “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother” (1 Cor. 1:1).

It was the will of God the church of Corinth be generous with their persons and possessions. “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8:5).

It was the will of God that Christ die for others. “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Gal. 1:4).

It is the will of God that every believer be sanctified. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thess. 4:3).

It is the will of God that thanksgiving be made for everything. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18).

It is the will of God that Christians suffer.

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing” (1 Pet. 3:17).

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19).

Consider

It is through pain and suffering God does some of His greatest works.

“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.”

~Isaac Watts

Third, the prescriptive will of God is found in Biblical precepts (rules) and commandments. The Ten Commandments, and the Sermon on the Mount are examples of ways to understand the preceptive will of God.

Consider

It is God’s will that people have no other gods before Him (Ex. 20:3). That is the Law of God, a Law the will of a rebellious person can break. The human will can violate the known will of God and does every time a person sins.

When Jesus said to pray, “Your will be done on earth even as it is in heaven,” He was talking about the prescriptive will of God which can be obeyed by being regenerated by the Holy Ghost and indwelt by the Spirit of God. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

We are never to pray, “Thy will be done,” but not in my life. Jesus expects obedience.

Fourth, there is the will of God’s disposition reflecting His prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination.

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 33:11).

It is the will of our Father which is in heaven, that not one of His little ones should perish (Matt. 18:14).

Fifth, the most basic concept associated with the will of God is that it is decretive and efficacious. God speaks and it is done. God said, “Let there be light,” and the lights of creation came on. Whatever God will must come to pass for He is sovereign and will is efficacious.

Consider

Because God is sovereign, what He decrees will come to pass.

Every believer has a holy obligation to understand the various ways the will of God is used in Scripture and then pray and act with understanding and knowledge.