3 Ways You Miss God’s Will

Three Ways We Miss God’s Will

Scripture References

Primary text

• Proverbs 3:5-6

Other references

• Matthew 12
• Genesis 4
• Psalm 37:4
• 1 Peter 3:17

Overview

Pastor Craig closed the “God, Just Tell Me” series by exposing three common traps that keep sincere believers from recognizing and walking in God’s will. The answer is not a spectacular new sign but an intimate, day-by-day knowledge of God’s heart that moves us to trust and obey even when clarity, comfort, or ease are missing.

Main Points

1. We overspiritualize God’s will

• Many of us insist on mystical confirmations—burning bushes, clouds that spell our name, or an audible voice.
• “God, give me a sign” often masks a desire for permission to do what we already want.
• Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign (Matthew 12); He called that craving “wicked and adulterous” because they wanted proof on their own terms.
• Asking for guidance while our Bible stays shut shows misplaced priorities.
• James says if we lack wisdom we should ask God directly, not chase gimmicks.

2. We overanalyze God’s will

• Endless options plus constant comparison produce decision paralysis—down to what show to stream.
• We delay under the banner of “praying about it,” when we’re really stalling until all risk is removed.
• Hebrews teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God. Absolute certainty would eliminate the very faith God requires.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 is the corrective:

  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… in all your ways yada (know intimately) Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

  • Yada – experiential, relational knowing; the same word used in Genesis 4 when “Adam knew Eve.”
• You cannot analyze your way into peace; you trust your way into it.
• Obedience will often feel uncomfortable, but fear must not get the final vote.

3. We assume hard means wrong

• God’s will is always good, but it is not always easy.
• If difficulty signaled error, the cross would be history’s greatest mistake.
• 1 Peter 3:17 reminds us it can be God’s will to suffer for doing good.
• A lack of inner conviction is not the same as God’s approval—disobedience can numb conviction.
• “You can’t walk in God’s will if you’re disobeying God’s word.”

Reflection questions Pastor Craig posed

• Where am I waiting for a sign when God has already given me a step?
• Where am I overthinking and need to grow in faith?
• Where is God asking me to trust Him enough to risk something?

Key Truths

• The surest way to know God’s will is to know God’s heart.
• Signs are unnecessary when Scripture is open and fellowship with God is alive.
• Faith pleases God; paralysis disguised as “prudence” does not.
• God forms our desires as we delight in Him (Psalm 37:4).
• Hard paths can still be the right paths when they align with His word.

Response

• Open your Bible before you ask for open doors.
• Step out in obedience even if every detail isn’t clear.
• Trade analysis for trust—take the next right step by faith.
• Delight yourself in the Lord daily so His desires reshape yours.
• Embrace difficulty as potential confirmation, not automatic discouragement.

Closing

Pastor Craig urged the church to exchange comfort-driven living for wholehearted pursuit of God:

“In all your ways, know Him—body, mind, soul, and strength—everything for His glory.”
He prayed that believers would hunger for God, hear His voice through Scripture, and obey Him immediately, while inviting anyone far from God to surrender to Jesus for forgiveness and new life.

Prayer

Pastor Craig prayed first for believers, asking God to draw them closer so their hearts break for what breaks His and rejoice in what delights Him.
He then led those seeking salvation in a simple surrender: acknowledging sin, declaring Jesus as Lord, asking for the Spirit’s filling, and committing to walk in God’s will.