Morning by Morning, January 6, 2026 — “Discern What Is The Will of God”
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I begin my day looking to You and centered in You. ...
This morning, Your Word comes to mind from Romans 12:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Sharpen my discernment of Your will.
Help me discern what’s true and what’s false. What’s of Your Spirit and what’s my flesh. What’s of Your thoughts, Your desires or just my own. What’s Your plan, not my plan. What’s Your guidance, not my good ideas. So that I can say in my heart and know in my mind, “Not my will but Thy will be done.”
We are to “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Especially, we need to test what we believe we’re hearing from You or from someone else who believes they’re hearing from You to help guide us in discerning Your will.
Along the way of life and ministry, I believe You’ve given me a simple way that I use and that I teach to help discern Your voice and Your will. I’ve come to call them my Five Steps of Discernment in what I try to live and teach:
1. Does it conform to the written Word of God?
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the person of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God will never speak anything that contradicts His written Word. Not everything we face in life is specifically addressed by chapter and verse, but nothing truly from Him will violate the principles and truth of Scripture.
2. Does it bear witness with our spirit?
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14).
Do we have a sense in our spirit that this “rings true”? Or do we have a check in our spirit that this may not be fully from the Lord? Does what we believe we have heard lead us toward God with conviction and hope, or away from God with confusion, condemnation, and despair? Does it bring clarity or chaos, peace or torment?
3. Does it conform to the character of God?
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
Does it sound like something Jesus would say or do? Does it seem to carry the Father-heart of God, the mind of Christ, and the holy nature of the Holy Spirit? God is love—His voice will always be consistent with His nature.
4. Does it bear good fruit?
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18).
Does the word or act seem to display the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-26)? Over time, does it lead to greater Christlikeness, freedom, and love—or the opposite? Does the life of the person sharing the word or doing the act seem to display the character of Christ, seeking to “follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
At the same time, we must humbly remember that “there is none righteous, no, not one” and that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). There is always some mixture of flesh and spirit, wheat and tares, within us all, so no one always says and does everything perfectly in line with the perfect will of God.
5. Does it bear witness with the counsel of others we trust?
“In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
When trusted, mature believers pray and weigh it with us, is there a shared sense of peace and agreement, or a check and lack of clarity? As others we trust and respect seek to discern it, what do they see that we may not yet see? “We know in part and we prophesy in part,” but when we bring our parts together and seek to discern the truth in humble submission to God, do we come to a place of consensus and peace within our own hearts?
Lord, help me apply these discernment principles, asking these discernment questions. And show me if they need to be corrected in any way to help me hear Your heart and follow Your ways, as closely as I can and as best as I can—all by Your grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you be empowered by the Holy Spirit to test and discern and know what is the will of God for you today and every day, in Jesus' name. Happy New Year and God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
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Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
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