How to Know You’re Living in the Will of God
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” — Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)
Let’s be honest. This passage should stop us in our tracks. Jesus isn’t talking to atheists here. He’s talking to people who did religious things. They preached, cast out demons, and performed miracles—all in His name. Yet He says, “I never knew you.” That’s a chilling statement. It makes us ask the hard question: Am I really living in the will of God?
We can’t afford to assume. We must be sure.
The Danger of Doing Without Knowing
The people Jesus described in Matthew 7 were doing things for God, but they weren’t walking with God. Their lives were full of action but empty of true obedience. That’s the difference between spiritual activity and spiritual intimacy.
When we think about living in the will of God, we have to ask: Are we doing things for Him, or are we doing His will? Those are not the same.
Spiritual performance doesn’t equal spiritual obedience. Jesus made that clear. It’s not about impressive acts. It’s about knowing Him and doing what pleases Him.
What Is the Will of God?
If prophesying, casting out demons, and miracles aren’t necessarily God’s will, then what is?
Thankfully, Scripture doesn’t leave us guessing. It gives us two clear themes that reveal the heart of God’s will.
1. God Wants to Be Glorified
This is the first and most constant thread throughout Scripture. God desires glory—not for ego, but because He is worthy of it. All creation was made to reflect His majesty.
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” — Psalm 86:9 (ESV)
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
“For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV)
Living in the will of God means our words, choices, and actions point back to Him. When we serve, when we speak, when we respond—do people see Jesus? Do they see God’s goodness, or our own?
We don’t glorify God by being busy. We glorify Him by being obedient.
2. God Desires That All People Repent and be Saved
The second theme is just as clear: God wants people to be saved. This is His heart for the world and why Jesus came.
“Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” — Ezekiel 18:23 (ESV)
“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” —1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV)
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
God’s will is not mysterious or hidden. He tells us plainly: He wants repentance. He wants salvation. He wants people to know the truth and live.
Living in the will of God means joining Him in that mission. It means praying for the lost, loving our neighbors, sharing the truth, and living lives that reflect the gospel. Every choice we make either leads people closer to Him—or further away.
How to Examine Your Life
If you’re wondering whether your life lines up with God’s will, ask two simple questions. They aren’t flashy, but they are powerful:
1. Does this bring glory or shame to God?
Whether you’re making a decision at work, having a conversation with a friend, or deciding what to watch or listen to, this question cuts through the noise.
Will this glorify God—or will it draw attention to something else? Is this something I can offer to Him in worship—or would I hide it if Jesus walked into the room?
When we’re living in the will of God, we want our whole life to reflect His worth.
2. Will this help someone come to know Jesus?
This doesn’t mean every word we speak must be a sermon. But our lives should consistently point others toward Him. We should live in a way that makes people curious about the hope we have.
We aren’t called to impress others with our holiness. We’re called to influence them toward repentance and truth.
Don’t Settle for the Show
It’s possible to look spiritual but still miss the point. Jesus said many will appear to serve Him but will be turned away. Why? Because they practiced lawlessness. They lived for their own glory, not His. They followed their own way, not His Word.
The Christian life isn’t about checking boxes or being impressive. It’s about knowing God, loving Him, obeying Him, and pointing others to Him. This is the foundation of living in the will of God.
So don’t be afraid of Matthew 7:21–23. Let it drive you closer to Christ. Let it refine your focus. Let it shape your priorities.
A Life That Lasts
At the end of the day, we won’t be judged by how much we did, but by whether we knew Jesus and lived out His will.
If your life brings glory to God…
If your words and actions help others come to repentance…
Then you can be confident: you are living in the will of God.
So keep walking faithfully. Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Let everything you do be for His glory and the good of others. Because the day is coming when Jesus will return—and He’s not looking for religious resumes. He’s looking for people who did the will of His Father.
Let’s live that way today.
Spread the Gospel; lives depend on it!
I pray, MARANATHA! (Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!)
Your brother in Christ,
Duane
Other posts to continue your study:
Hope Among Chaos
How to Pray – A Guide
Read all of our Principles for Christian Living in the Last Days
Read the Bible Online – We recommend:
The ESV (English Standard Version) for reading
The NASB (New American Standard Bible) for in-depth study
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