“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV).
As we seek to determine God’s direction for our lives, it’s important to respond appropriately in those areas where His guidance is clear. In addition to what we read here in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 regarding sexual conduct, the Scriptures also provide us with some additional “macro directives” concerning God’s will…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Therefore, pay careful attention to how you conduct your life — live wisely, not unwisely. Use your time well, for these are evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16 CJB).
“You must get on with your work, not only when someone is watching you, as if you were just trying to please another human being, but as slaves of the Messiah. Do God’s will from your heart. Get on with your tasks with a kind and ready spirit as if you were serving the master himself and not human beings” (Ephesians 6:5-7 NTE).
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV).
“Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect” (Romans 12:2 GW).
We should also remember that Jesus had something important to add regarding the subject of knowing God’s will: “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17 NIV). The word for “chooses” in that passage means to wish, determine, or be inclined. (1) Therefore we can say that our preferential desires have a role to play in knowing God’s will, at least in part.
This is important because the New Testament book of James tells us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). This reminds us that a knowledge of God and the Scriptures carries a responsibility to live accordingly.
(1) G2307 thelema https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=esv&strongs=g2307