John 7:17
“If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.”
BEREAN.AI
Title: Knowing God's Will by Doing It
Scripture: John 7:17
Jesus gives us a simple test for knowing whether His teaching comes from God. He says if anyone wants to do God's will, that person will know whether His teaching is from God. This turns our normal approach upside down. We usually want to know first, then obey. Jesus says we obey first, then we know.
The crowd in Jerusalem was arguing about Jesus. Some said He was a prophet. Others said He was the Christ. But none of them could agree because they were standing outside God's will. They wanted to figure Jesus out without committing themselves to Him. That's like trying to understand marriage while refusing to get married. You can't do it.
Jesus isn't playing games with us. He tells us plainly that spiritual knowledge comes through obedience. You don't learn God's will by speculation. You learn it by stepping out in faith and doing what He says. This is how the Christian life works. You start walking, and God shows you the next step.
This means we need to stop using ignorance as an excuse. If you want to know God's will for your life, start doing what you already know He commands. Love your neighbor. Forgive your enemies. Read His Word. Pray. Serve in your church. As you walk in obedience, God makes His specific will clear to you.
This verse also protects us from deception. The person who truly wants to do God's will won't be fooled by false teachers. Why? Because they're already walking in obedience to God's Word. They have the Holy Spirit as their guide. They can spot error because they know the truth.
What is God asking you to do today? Don't wait for more light. Take the step of obedience in front of you. As you walk, the path becomes clearer. This is how Jesus' disciples live. We walk by faith, not by sight.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us for wanting to know Your will without obeying what You've already shown us. Give us hearts that want to do Your will more than we want to understand it. Help us take the next step of obedience today, trusting You to guide us as we walk. Amen.
