How to Find God's Perfect Will

You cannot find God’s perfect will without the Holy Spirit. It is impossible, in fact, to find God’s direction for your life without the leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16, “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (verse 13).

So, the Scripture says the Holy Spirit “will guide you into all truth.” First of all, we see that the Holy Spirit has a will, and his will is the will of God. Second, we see that he will guide us into all truth, and the truth is the Word of God. Jesus said the Word of God is truth (John 17:17).

Lastly, we see that the Holy Spirit is a person. “But whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” He is an intelligent being with a will, ears to hear, and the ability to speak to us. He is not just a supernatural wind floating around. He is a person, which is why he is called the Third Person of the Trinity.  

In Acts 16, we will see how the Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul. The Bible says, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia” (verse 6). Paul was trying to preach the Word in Asia, but the Holy Spirit closed all the doors because it was not God’s will at that time for Paul to go to Asia.

“After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not” (verse 7). Again, Paul tried to go to Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit again prevented him. But I like Paul. Paul was always knocking. He wasn’t just one who sat around.

God cannot steer a parked car. Sometimes we have to find God’s will by just taking a step of faith. Someone once told me that a dog doesn’t even bark at a parked car, so if you aren’t moving, the devil isn’t even studying you. But if he has been barking at you lately that means you’re going somewhere.

So, Paul tried to go to Asia and then Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit did not allow him. “And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us” (verses 8-9). Didn’t Jesus say that the Holy Spirit will show you things to come? (John 16:13).

The Holy Spirit shows us God’s will with the Word of God, dreams and visions, prophecy, the still small voice, divine impressions, or circumstances. Just keep in mind that whatever way the Holy Spirit chooses to speak to you, it will always line up with the Word of God.
 
Another way the Holy Spirit guides us is through the counsel of other men and women of God. “And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them” (verse 10). This is a powerful verse.

Luke is the author of the book of Acts, and he used the words “we” and “us” because Paul, as great of an apostle as he was, realized that “in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). The word safety in this verse means salvation. It also means that God will give you victory through human counsel.

The Bible says, “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”, but you have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s leading (Psalm 37:23). He will guide you, but you have to walk in the truth he reveals to you. Ignoring his voice will cause shipwreck in your life. But obeying his voice will cause you to have success in your spiritual progress, marriage, relationships, finances, businesses, and every area in your life.

God bless,
Pastors Sean and Aimee Pinder