Anonymous asked: I've asked youth leaders at my church this question and they haven't known exactly how to answer me. I get different answers each time, and so, I'm never for sure on what is the right way to go about solving my problem. How do I know when a choice I'm making is one that God wants me to make? How do I tell the difference between a choice being one that I WANT to happen and one that God wants to happen? How do I know when I'm acting in God's will?

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” - Jeremiah 17:9

There are different types of obedience, for example some people think that by doing good deeds they are doing God’s will, others think that just by going to church every sunday they’re doing God’s will, and some people think that by studying God’s word they’re doing God’s will. So, if you’re in church and ask every person how they’re obeying God (doing His will) each person is going to give you a different answer.

The true Will of God is this:

“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” The most important one, answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:28-31

Now, you might ask yourself “what does it mean to love God?” Simple.  To Love God means to sanctify, bless, and glorify His holy name, recognize Him as the only true God; the one who created the heavens and the earth. 

Also, recognize that because of His love for us, He gave us salvation through His son Jesus upon the cross, so that we can have a pure relationship with Him. We need to ask Him for forgiveness of all our sins and voluntarily trade in our will (all our life plans) for His will for us. When you in your heart have decided to give the Lord your life, God in His heart will know that you love Him over all things (this includes family and friends). When God knows this you will move in His holy will and you won’t notice or feel it.. but God will take control over your life, so He can be glorified in your life. 

Hope this helps. <3