Discerning God's Will: Romans 12 Reflections

Have you ever struggled to discern God's will for your life? Romans 12 offers solid guidance on this journey, revealing that God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect. But how do we discern which target we're aiming for—the world's or God's? In this reflection from a recent Bible study, I share how the Holy Spirit unexpectedly directed our exploration of this life-changing chapter, offering practical tools for decision-making and faithful living in both major choices and everyday moments.

Discerning God's Will: Romans 12 Reflections

Initial Expectations vs. Reality: The Holy Spirit's Direction

Something different happened this morning as I prepared to teach our Bible study on Romans 12. Although I always pray before preparing for a Bible study class, God seems to follow a "laissez-faire" approach. Seldom do I sense outright insights about what "content" I should focus on for the lesson. I assume that if I'm off track, God will let me know.

But this morning at the breakfast table, I was distracted from my bowl of oatmeal with raisins, banana, and blueberries, when I experienced the unmistakable Holy Spirit nudging my consciousness and saying, "hold off on breakfast, I have something for you to discuss today." That's what led to a refinement of my notes and preparation for my Bible study which was scheduled in two hours.

Typically, I approach these sessions with a "discussion" mindset—creating space for everyone to share the "so what" of their experience with the scripture. But today, as I made my final preparations, I sensed the Holy Spirit giving me specific points that needed emphasis about discerning God's will in Romans 12.

I asked, "What is God's Will for our life?" Not rhetorical. Not philosophical. A question that demands an answer if we are to put faith into action.

We began by reading the chapter aloud, each person taking a couple verses. The words of Paul washed over us—be transformed by the renewing of your mind—do not think of yourself more highly than you ought—love must be sincere—overcome evil with good.

After the reading, I again posed the question. What is God's will for our lives?

Responses came quickly about "not being conformed to the world" and "being transformed by the renewing of our mind." We talked about the characteristics Paul gives for God's will: good, acceptable, and perfect. As we discussed these qualities, a visual metaphor began to take shape in our conversation.

Key Discussions: The Target Metaphor for Discerning God's Will

On the classroom chalkboard, I shared a target metaphor that had been forming in my mind. Picture a bullseye representing God's perfect will, with "good" and "acceptable" as the two outer rings. Collectively, they represent what we're aiming for when we discern God's will for our lives.

One class member offered an interesting perspective on this. He sees "Good, acceptable, and perfect" not as separate rings but as one unified bullseye. We all agreed with this interpretation, but there's something comforting about recognizing that God doesn't expect us to be perfect with every decision we make. Sanctification is a process of getting closer and closer to God's perfect will.

Discernment isn't just for major spiritual decisions. It applies to purchasing a transportation van for a cab company as much as deciding between jobs—one in Illinois, the other in California. Consulting the Holy Spirit when faced with "approach-approach" conflicts (equally desirable options) matters just as much as during "avoidance-avoidance" conflicts (equally undesirable options).

Consider a practical example that may resonate with younger believers: Let's say a person is trying to discern God's will for whom they should marry versus buying a motorcycle or a sports car. Since marriage has higher stakes, one's discernment better be near the bullseye because God says marriage is between a man and a woman until death (with only a couple of exceptions). But a person doesn't need to be perfect with a decision about a motorcycle or sports car. If they experience cognitive dissonance after purchasing one, they can always sell it and buy the other.

But how do we actually navigate these decisions in practice? This led us to explore a technique that can help us think through the consequences of our choices.

This discernment process becomes clearer when we understand our fundamental purpose - as I discovered in my own spiritual awakening described in "Why Are We Here?". And it's much easier to aim for God's target when we start each day spiritually prepared through Morning Prayers.

Group Insights: The Down-Arrow Exercise

As our discussion deepened, I introduced what I call the "down-arrow" exercise: asking repeatedly, "What's the worst thing that could happen if I make choice X over choice Y?" With each successive response, you go deeper.

But here's what struck me—and resonated with the group: how dramatically this changes depending on which target we're shooting at.

If we're aiming at the world's target, with its bullseye set on fame and fortune, the outcomes look very different. I invited everyone to imagine Jesus sitting at the head of our table, asking:

"What's the worst thing that could happen if you gain the world by hitting the bullseye but lose your soul?"

Then, pointing to His target: "What is the worst thing that could happen if you hit My target? Martyrdom? Persecution? Loss of friends and family? Loss of a job? ...but you gain eternal life."

His voice was quiet but firm: "The choice is yours, but consider your options wisely."

The room grew quiet as this sank in. Imagine someone who has been struggling with a career decision that offered financial security but would compromise their family time and ministry involvement—another feeling pressure to conform to the workplace culture that contradicted their values. The down-arrow exercise suddenly becomes very personal.

While no one asked this during our study, I've been reflecting on a challenging hypothetical scenario: What if God's will is for a person to sacrifice more in the process of following His call than they are willing to give? I.e., God’s will versus one’s free will. 

Consider this difficult scenario: We ask, "What's the worst thing that could happen if you take that job in California since you feel God calling you there?" Their response is, "My family will not move, and I'll be facing a divorce from a non-believing spouse." This brings up a situation without easy solutions.

The down-arrow exercise forces us to confront these painful possibilities head-on. It asks us to weigh temporary discomfort—or even profound loss—against eternal values, to count the cost and still choose wisely. This is precisely what Jesus meant when He spoke about taking up our cross daily. Sometimes discerning God's will leads us to excruciating crossroads where every option involves sacrifice.

These sobering reflections led us to consider a critical aspect of walking in God's will—one that's often overlooked in our conversations about major life decisions.

Personal Application: Faithful in Little Things

Trace Pirtle: Be faithful with small things...build on the Rock (Jesus Christ)

The Holy Spirit also prompted me to share the Latin phrase Fidelis In Parvo—we are to be faithful in little things. We referenced Luke 16:10: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much."

Strength is gained through perseverance. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." We discussed John Mark's story—how he initially turned back from the difficult mission to Asia Minor rather than accompanying Paul and Barnabas, creating a rift that took years to heal.

God must see me as a "slow learner" because He has given me many "little things" to do and, I did my best to do them faithfully. For example, for the last 20 years God has asked me to "write about (and for) Him" using various media. Then about two years ago, He asked me to start a "water ministry" that distributes bottled water to people and organizations (non-profits, churches, etc.).

In the last four months, God has added an expanded ministry—Faith in Action Ministry for the Texas Hill Country that includes outreach to nursing homes, veterans, suicide survivors, a pending jail ministry, and Christian counseling with clients. I've seen personally that faithfulness in little things leads to faithfulness in more. All part of God's perfect will.

This principle has changed my approach to life because I realize that God is always watching, and the Holy Spirit is always with me. I can't hide my thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. I can only do everything as if unto Him (Colossians 3:23). What's most important is the heart—the spirit—in which I faithfully engage the little things. There are no little things when it comes to God's Kingdom, and I am honored to be part of it.

For me personally, this principle of faithfulness in small things has transformed how I approach daily decisions. I shared how easy it is to compartmentalize our lives—to separate "spiritual decisions" from "everyday choices." Yet Romans 12 calls for total transformation, a complete renewal of the mind that affects everything.

With this foundation of faithful stewardship established, our conversation naturally turned to the critical question: How do we put all of this into practice?

Taking Action: The Impact of Romans 12

The most important thing after prayer and discernment? Taking action. Far too many believers fail to take action, choosing instead to hide beneath the surface of life's ocean. Someone called these people "Submarine Christians"—surfacing on Sunday, then disappearing the rest of the week.

I gave the group a concrete challenge to always identify the true target (God's target), not the counterfeit target (the World's target). But I also cautioned them about God's timing, which isn't always aligned with ours. He may show us the target...we center on the bullseye...and then just as we are pulling the trigger on a decision...God takes away the target!

How frustrating is that! We think we "see" the perfect discernment so clearly, and then it vanishes like a magician's sleight of hand. This is when we need to reflect on patience and self-control as two of the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). God's timing is always perfect, even when we don't think so.

I've made a personal commitment to follow God's will in "all" things. As Paul discussed in Romans 1:1, I am a bond servant of Christ. I owe Him a debt I could never pay; however, I am also one of His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), and I will faithfully represent Him and His Light with everyone and everything I come into contact with.

I plan to follow up on this in future studies as it is fundamental to how we live our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. As He says, we are all parts of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Some are given some gifts and others other gifts. Jesus also mentioned in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) that the Master gave different amounts to different servants based on their abilities.

Here's where I challenged the group: since we don't know how much ability (potential) God has given each of us, we need to always be striving to do more...always stretching our God-given abilities. Not because we are trying to earn our way into heaven—we can't, because "none is righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10)..."all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). It is God's grace that saves us through our faith in Jesus that redeems us.

However, once saved, we demonstrate our faith—our sanctification—by doing the work God calls us to do. It's His perfect will.

We must be bold in living according to God's will. Romans 12 offers more than theological concepts; it provides a clear description of what that transformed life looks like: genuine love, devoted to one another, joyful in hope, patient in affliction, sharing with those in need, living at peace, overcoming evil with good.

As our discussion wound down, I felt a sense of holy conviction in the room. The question of discerning God's will through Romans 12 remains for each of us today: Which target are we aiming for? And once we discern God's will—good, acceptable, and perfect—will we take action?

The choice is yours. The choice is mine. But may we all consider our options wisely.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2