How do we know God’s will in any given situation? The scripture tell us that God has a perfect will that He desires to make known to us. As we begin to grow in our relationship with the Lord, we develop the desire to know His will. We look to the Word of God to find out His instructions for life. We also seek Him in prayer to hear God’s will in various situations. The scripture tells us that there are some foundational things that need to be in place before God’s perfect will is revealed to us and in us.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And 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. Romans 12:1-2
The scripture tells us that we can know God’s perfect will when we are no longer seeking to conform to our environment or passively live by its value system. In addition, we can know God’s will when we allow God to renew our minds from false cultural values, traditions, and past patterns. When our minds are not clogged with old ideas, we are available to receive the mind of Christ and be transformed into his way of thinking brilliant thoughts.
We have a tendency to hold on to the past patterns because they give us false security and safety. In some twisted way, they have worked for us, but if we desire to grow and have the mind of Christ, we have to let go and trust God for new ways of thinking and doing things. When our minds think right, our emotions will follow suit, and we become available and acceptable vessels to God who are willing to be a living sacrifice.
Some people confuse being a living sacrifice with doing things to the extreme to show their devotions to God. That’s actually just religious works that stems from our strong volition rather than God’s leading. There are religions where people walk on fire, beat themselves with chains, or kill themselves and others to show their devotions and faith towards their God. That is not being a living sacrifice. If we have to jeopardize in any area of our lives, such as our marriages, children, health,or finances in the name of being a living sacrifice, please seek Godly counsel. There is a great chance that the enemy is using your zeal to confuse you and destroy your life and your relationships.
Being a living sacrifice is about allowing the spirit man to rule our minds, emotions, will, and body. It is about denying self to follow Jesus. The ultimate goal of being a living sacrifice is to look like Jesus and display the fruit of the Spirit. As a living a sacrifice, we are not trying to prove anything to ourselves or others, and we are not in the driver’s seat. We are just willing to do what the Lord ask us to do. Whether He asks us to be still, go, sit, or wait, we are willing to do it in spite of not having all the answers.
When we no longer conform to the patters on this world, have renewed minds, and we are offering our bodies as living sacrifice, God’s perfect and acceptable will becomes evident in our lives.
Consider paying closing attention to your thoughts for the next 21 days. When your thoughts about yourself, others, or circumstances are destructive, reject them right away. Replace those thoughts with words of faith, hope, and love. Ask the Lord to give you the mind of Christ about yourself, others, or your circumstances. You will begin to see your emotions changing and the fog lifted off of your spirit man.
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