The Will of God: Why Feelings Are a Dangerous Guide

One of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity is the will of God. Many believers genuinely want to do what God wants, yet still make decisions that pull them off course.

The problem is not desire, it’s the method we use to discern God’s will.

Scripture never teaches us to follow feelings. It teaches us to follow truth.

God’s Will Is Revealed Through His Word, Not Our Emotions

The Bible is clear: God expects His people to understand His will.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2

God’s will is not discovered by instinct or emotion, but by a renewed mind, one shaped daily by Scripture. The Word of God reveals God’s will, and without consistent engagement with it, we will default to feelings as our decision-making compass.

That’s dangerous.

Feelings shift.

God’s will doesn’t.

Feelings Often Conflict With God’s Will

One of the biggest mistakes believers make is confusing emotional peace with divine approval. We say things like, “I don’t have peace about it, so it must not be God.” But Scripture does not support that logic.

The will of God often confronts us before it comforts us. Take Moses.

When God called him to deliver Israel, Moses did not feel confident or peaceful. He felt inadequate and afraid (Exodus 4:1). Gideon responded the same way, pointing to his weakness and insignificance when God called him to lead (Judges 6:13–15). Neither man felt peace, but both were clearly called by God.

If peace were the deciding factor, both men would have walked away from God’s will.

Peace Is the Result of Obedience—Not the Test of It

A commonly misused verse is Colossians 3:15:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…”

This verse is often quoted to justify avoiding difficult obedience. But in context, it is addressing relationships within the body of Christ - specifically forgiveness, patience, and love (Colossians 3:13–14). The peace of God rules after obedience, not before it.

Peace is not the green light. Peace is the fruit.

When believers withdraw from relationships to “find peace,” they are often avoiding God’s will, not following it. Scripture is clear:

“For this is the will of God… that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” — 1 Peter 2:15

God’s will in conflict is not escape. it’s obedience.

God’s Will Often Requires Correction, Not Comfort

If we believe God’s will should always make us feel good, we leave no room for correction. Yet Scripture says correction is a sign of sonship.

“No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” — Hebrews 12:11

Correction hurts. Repentance is uncomfortable. Obedience can be costly. But peace comes after submission, not before it.

Even Jesus, facing the cross, was “sorrowful and deeply distressed” (Matthew 26:37). Yet He prayed:

“Not My will, but Yours be done.”

If Jesus did not rely on feelings to determine God’s will, neither should we.

Knowing God’s Will Requires Knowledge, Not Guesswork

Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that believers are meant to know God’s will:

• “Understand what the will of the Lord is.” - Ephesians 5:17

• “Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” - Colossians 1:9

  
  

God’s will is not mysterious. It is revealed, taught, and confirmed through Scripture. Prayer is not a tool to persuade God to align with our desires. It is how we align ourselves with His will (Matthew 6:10).

Feelings Must Submit to Truth

There is God’s will, and there is our will. Feelings belong to the second category.

If we consistently choose comfort over obedience, peace over truth, and feelings over Scripture, we will miss God’s will in critical moments of our lives.

The will of God is not validated by how we feel. It is validated by what God has said.

When we surrender to His will, even when it hurts, peace will come.

Not the fragile peace of avoidance, but the lasting peace that comes from obedience.