What is a simple explanation of the will of God?

Bible Question:

How do you define the will of God in a way that young people will understand? What would be the best illustration to use for presenting the will of God?

Bible Answer:

The will of God includes everything that God desires or wishes to happen in heaven and on earth. As a result, He has planned what He wishes to occur. For example, in the first part of the Lord’s Prayer, found in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to pray that the Father’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Pray, then, in this way:
“Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven . . .”
Matthew 6:9-10 (NASB)

The Greek word for “will” is thelma. The word means “what one wishes or has determined will happen.”[1] That is, we are to pray that God has His wish, His will, or His plans fulfilled. That is, your life and plans should agree with His plan.

Illustration of God’s Will

When some people think about the will of God, they fear that God has decided every little detail of their life. But that is not true. He has not already decided everything in your life. But God does control many aspects of our lives. He gives us a lot of freedom, but He has also constrained us (Acts 16:6-10). God’s will is like a road. He does not care if you walk on the right side, the left side or down the middle. He does not care if you jump, skip, jog, or walk fast down the road. He does not care if you sing or if you are silent. But He does care if you leave the road. He wants you to always stay on the road. Each of us has a different road to travel. The road is God’s will for your life. The road will turn and twist, but His plan will be accomplished.

Determining God’s Will for Your Life

What is the will of God for your life? What are the boundaries of the road? They are five explicitly stated “wills of God” given to us in the New Testament. The first one is that God wants everyone to be sexually pure (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). That means He wants us to flee from sexual sins. Secondly, God wants Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:17-18). Also, the study “God’s Will – Be Filled With The Spirit” will be helpful. Third, God wants Christians to understand that it is His will for believers to suffer (1 Peter 4:19). Fourth, God wants us to give thanks always for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Last, God desires us to submit to your government (1 Peter 2:13-15). For a short study about them, read “How to Pray to Know God’s Will” and “Seeking God’s Will.”

If we want to know His will for our lives, we must start with what we know to be His will. We must want His will to be done in our lives. Then God gives us the promise in Psalms 37:4, that our heart’s desire will be satisfied. A study of this verse and the five known “wills of God” as already mentioned will be explained in more detail in Seeking God’s Will. You will find it helpful in understanding the will of God more.