How Do I Know If I'm Doing God's Will?

 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV

As a new Christian, I trembled in fear over the verses above for many years. Mainly because, as a new Christian, I did not know how to study my Bible properly by taking things in context. So, if the verses above have left you doubting your faith, I want to put those fears to rest today. It is no coincidence that the above verses come immediately after the verses on false prophets. In fact, Matthew 7:13-29 definitely seems to have a theme regarding who we listen to, put our trust or faith in, and how we live our lives. Today's verses can make some Christians wonder if they are really saved. After all, if you prophesied in Jesus' name, cast out demons and did many wonders in His name, why would Jesus say He didn't know you? Probably because, as I previously discussed, the people Jesus refers to in these verses are false prophets and teachers.

Notice the disclaimer Jesus puts in the very first verse. First, He says NOT EVERYONE who calls Him Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven. BUT those who do the will of His Father in heaven WILL GET IN.

How Do I Know If I'm Doing God's Will?

What does Scripture say about God's will? John 9:31 says that anyone who worships God and does His will, God hears him. Acts 22:14 says that God chose us so that we may know His will. Romans 12:2 says that we are not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 it says God's will for us is our sanctification. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God. The list of verses concerning God's will goes on, but I think Hebrews 8:10 says it best about how we can be certain if we are doing God's will.

I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God,
and they shall be My people.
Hebrews 8:10

The best way to know if you are doing God's will is through His Holy Spirit, who lives within you. You will feel it immediately within your spirit if you are doing something wrong. If you are sinning, you will know it. There is a reason God's Holy Spirit lives within us - so that we are ALWAYS aware of His will. There is also a reason the Bible still survives after 2,000 years. It is our handbook for life. Learn it, take it to heart, and you will intuitively know God's will because His character is written throughout it. Plus, He sent Jesus to show us how to live in God's will. We have no better example to follow than His. If you want to stay in God's will, obey Him and follow the two greatest commandments Jesus taught us: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). In other words, put God first in everything and put others' needs before your own.

As for those mentioned in the verses above, false prophets and teachers do not have God's Holy Spirit within them. They do not know the will of God. They may think they do, but what comes from their mouths (false doctrines and prophecies) proves they do not know the Lord. Jesus says that they practice lawlessness, which is what false prophets and teachers do. On the day they meet their maker, Jesus will say, "Depart from me. I never knew you!"

When taken in context, the verses above are specifically for those preachers/teachers. They are known as false prophets and false teachers. They are the ones Jesus will say He does not know. This is why it is imperative who we listen to. Because Scripture confirms we will be accountable for the doctrines we believe and follow.

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
2 John 1:9-11

  For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4

So, if you want to be sure you will get into heaven - obey God and do His will. If you don't follow after false preachers/teachers who distort the Gospel message, you will never have to worry that Jesus will say He never knew you. He knows His sheep.