Situation.
Romans 12:2 describes this: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of
God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” In this case, God does not
declare a specific word about what to do. But his Spirit shapes the mind and heart
through the word and prayer so that we have inclinations toward what would be
most glorifying to him and helpful to others.”
The decision of who to marry, what city to live, what career to pursue, how many
children to have, which school to attend, what kind of car to get, what kind of
food to eat, what kind of shoes and clothes to wear, and how much money to give
to charity, and more are not clearly written in the Bible. We use Biblical principles
to discern God’s will on it.
Caution: Confusing categorization of the will of God
The permissive will of God. This classification, “permissive will of God,” is not
found in the Bible. It is a confusing attempt by some people to contrast the
sovereign will of God with another concept of the will of God, namely the so-
called “permissive will of God.” While the attempt is noble, I think it should be
avoided because the distinction is “fraught with peril and tends to generate
untold confusion.” Read “Exposing the Permissive Will of God” by R. C. Sproul.
