On last night’s live, I continued exploring the meaning of God’s outcome and what it means to understand the difference between God’s perfect will, His general will, and God’s permissive will.
God’s perfect will, general will, and permissive will are theological categories that are used to understand how God relates to our choices, His divine sovereignty, and moral guidance. We see the perfect will of God in the scriptures, but the terms general and permissive will have not been seen in the scriptures; however, some scriptures clearly explain and define the difference between the three wills of God.
1 God’s Perfect Will
God’s perfect will refers to His ideal plan, desire, and sovereign intention for creation and individuals. God’s perfect will is always good, flawless, and unchanging. It reflects God’s best for us, which aligns perfectly with His holiness and purpose.
Romans 12:2 says:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”.
Romans 12:1-2 shows us six things that constitute the perfect will of God in our lives;
1 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:20).
2 Make the body holy (Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1)
3 Make yourself acceptable to God (Romans 12:1)
4 Render reasonable service (Romans 12:1)
5 Be not conformed to the world (Romans 12:2)
6 Be transformed from the world (Romans 12:2)
The Greek word for “perfect” in Romans 12:2 is teleios, which translates as “that which has reached its end; nothing more to complete it”. When it comes to the perfect will of God concerning your life, there is a completion. When God’s perfect will is done in your life, there is nothing more to add or take away. It’s all complete.
Other scriptures to study the perfect will of God are Ephesians 1:4-5 and Jeremiah 29:11
God’s perfect will is what He ideally wants for His people: righteousness, obedience, and relationship with Him.
2 God’s General Will
God’s general will refers to his commands and what He expects from people. This includes upholding the commands of His Holy Word, including living righteously, loving others, and accepting salvation through Jesus Christ. It is revealed in scripture and applies to everyone.
Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Micah 6:8, John 6:40
God’s general will be accessible to all and does not depend on individual circumstances- it’s found in His word and is about how all people should live.
3 God’s Permissive Will
God’s permissive will refers to what God allows to happen, though this may not be His ideal or perfect desire. He permits human choices, even sinful ones, without violating your human free will. Yet He still works through them to accomplish His ultimate purposes.
Scriptures
Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20, 1 Samuel 8:6-9
God’s permissive will acknowledges human freedom. He may allow choices that are outside His perfect will, but He still maintains sovereignty and can redeem even the worst situations.
Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to know and discern the difference between your perfect, general, and permissive will. Father, I repent for every time I stepped outside of your perfect will. Lord, deliver me from the consequences of the decision I made as a result of my permissive will. Father, I pray to wash me in your living waters and the blood of Jesus Christ. Father, refresh my soul from the brokenness of my disobedience in Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
You can catch the replay here: https://bit.ly/45p4clq
Destiny Moments 