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Found: God's Will
John MacArthur elaborates on six principles he discovers in the Psalmist's admonition to: "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 1972
242 people are currently reading
2104 people want to read
About the author
John F. MacArthur Jr.
1,344 books1,933 followersJohn F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
February 17, 2019
Wow. First of all, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I had previously done a word study in the Bible about references to the “will of God.” MacArthur takes all of those verses that I had previously found and expounds on them in a very straightforward, practical, and convicting way. Wow, is this convicting! This definitely was not what I was expecting as a book, but it was totally what I needed to read right now. It hit on points in my prayer life, my Bible reading life, my evangelistic life, and more. I think I highlighted half of the book.
It is a quick read—maybe took me an hour to read it (and pause and ponder)—so it seems like a very “approachable” book. It’s not something that is watered down though, because of brevity. Sure, MacArthur repeats some concepts, but it’s to cement them into the reader’s brain. Read this. I especially recommend it to teens and those in their twenties/thirties—usually that is the point in life where we are most open and teachable to knowing the reality of seeking and following God’s will.
Some of the many quotes I highlighted:
“You say you do not know what God’s will is, but I’ll tell you what it is. Above all it is that you know Christ and then that your neighbors hear about Christ. That is His will. So often we sit around twiddling our thumbs, dreaming about God’s will in some distant future when we are not even willing to stand up on our own two feet, walk down the street, and do God’s will right now.”
“When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he had the same power as when he was standing next to Jesus Christ! Now there’s something exciting! Do you know what the Spirit-filled life is? It is living every moment as though you are standing in the presence of Jesus Christ!”
“The more you study the Word of God, the more it saturates your mind and life. Someone is reported to have asked a concert violinist in New York’s Carnegie Hall how she became so skilled. She said that it was by “planned neglect.” She planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal. Some less important things in your life could stand some planned neglect so that you might give yourself to studying the Word of God. Do you know what would happen? The more you would study the Word of God, the more your mind would be saturated with it. It will be no problem then for you to think of Christ. You won’t be able to stop thinking of Him.”
It is a quick read—maybe took me an hour to read it (and pause and ponder)—so it seems like a very “approachable” book. It’s not something that is watered down though, because of brevity. Sure, MacArthur repeats some concepts, but it’s to cement them into the reader’s brain. Read this. I especially recommend it to teens and those in their twenties/thirties—usually that is the point in life where we are most open and teachable to knowing the reality of seeking and following God’s will.
Some of the many quotes I highlighted:
“You say you do not know what God’s will is, but I’ll tell you what it is. Above all it is that you know Christ and then that your neighbors hear about Christ. That is His will. So often we sit around twiddling our thumbs, dreaming about God’s will in some distant future when we are not even willing to stand up on our own two feet, walk down the street, and do God’s will right now.”
“When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he had the same power as when he was standing next to Jesus Christ! Now there’s something exciting! Do you know what the Spirit-filled life is? It is living every moment as though you are standing in the presence of Jesus Christ!”
“The more you study the Word of God, the more it saturates your mind and life. Someone is reported to have asked a concert violinist in New York’s Carnegie Hall how she became so skilled. She said that it was by “planned neglect.” She planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal. Some less important things in your life could stand some planned neglect so that you might give yourself to studying the Word of God. Do you know what would happen? The more you would study the Word of God, the more your mind would be saturated with it. It will be no problem then for you to think of Christ. You won’t be able to stop thinking of Him.”
May 16, 2022
Short, sweet, and helpful.
“The only way you can be saturated with the thoughts of Christ is to saturate yourself with the Book that is all about Him.”
“The only way you can be saturated with the thoughts of Christ is to saturate yourself with the Book that is all about Him.”
May 11, 2019
Wow. First of all, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I had previously done a word study in the Bible about references to the “will of God.” MacArthur takes all of those verses that I had previously found and expounds on them in a very straightforward, practical, and convicting way. Wow, is this convicting! This definitely was not what I was expecting as a book, but it was totally what I needed to read right now. It hit on points in my prayer life, my Bible reading life, my evangelistic life, and more. I think I highlighted half of the book.
It is a quick read—maybe took me an hour to read it (and pause and ponder)—so it seems like a very “approachable” book. It’s not something that is watered down though, because of brevity. Sure, MacArthur repeats some concepts, but it’s to cement them into the reader’s brain. Read this. I especially recommend it to teens and those in their twenties/thirties—usually that is the point in life where we are most open and teachable to knowing the reality of seeking and following God’s will.
Some of the many quotes I highlighted:
“You say you do not know what God’s will is, but I’ll tell you what it is. Above all it is that you know Christ and then that your neighbors hear about Christ. That is His will. So often we sit around twiddling our thumbs, dreaming about God’s will in some distant future when we are not even willing to stand up on our own two feet, walk down the street, and do God’s will right now.”
“When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he had the same power as when he was standing next to Jesus Christ! Now there’s something exciting! Do you know what the Spirit-filled life is? It is living every moment as though you are standing in the presence of Jesus Christ!”
“The more you study the Word of God, the more it saturates your mind and life. Someone is reported to have asked a concert violinist in New York’s Carnegie Hall how she became so skilled. She said that it was by “planned neglect.” She planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal. Some less important things in your life could stand some planned neglect so that you might give yourself to studying the Word of God. Do you know what would happen? The more you would study the Word of God, the more your mind would be saturated with it. It will be no problem then for you to think of Christ. You won’t be able to stop thinking of Him.”
It is a quick read—maybe took me an hour to read it (and pause and ponder)—so it seems like a very “approachable” book. It’s not something that is watered down though, because of brevity. Sure, MacArthur repeats some concepts, but it’s to cement them into the reader’s brain. Read this. I especially recommend it to teens and those in their twenties/thirties—usually that is the point in life where we are most open and teachable to knowing the reality of seeking and following God’s will.
Some of the many quotes I highlighted:
“You say you do not know what God’s will is, but I’ll tell you what it is. Above all it is that you know Christ and then that your neighbors hear about Christ. That is His will. So often we sit around twiddling our thumbs, dreaming about God’s will in some distant future when we are not even willing to stand up on our own two feet, walk down the street, and do God’s will right now.”
“When Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, he had the same power as when he was standing next to Jesus Christ! Now there’s something exciting! Do you know what the Spirit-filled life is? It is living every moment as though you are standing in the presence of Jesus Christ!”
“The more you study the Word of God, the more it saturates your mind and life. Someone is reported to have asked a concert violinist in New York’s Carnegie Hall how she became so skilled. She said that it was by “planned neglect.” She planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal. Some less important things in your life could stand some planned neglect so that you might give yourself to studying the Word of God. Do you know what would happen? The more you would study the Word of God, the more your mind would be saturated with it. It will be no problem then for you to think of Christ. You won’t be able to stop thinking of Him.”
March 27, 2014
This should be required reading for every new Christian.
June 29, 2025
It was pretty much what I expected from John MacArthur, but that didn’t stop me from being disappointed in the book. He didn’t even pretend to offer practical guidance. The book’s message was 1) God’s will is in the Bible, 2) obey the Bible, 3) do what you want (while doing #2). Read Kevin DeYoung’s Just Do Something instead, who at least talks about the importance of developing godly wisdom to make decisions.
But really, the bulk of the book simply looks at verses that explicitly say, “this is the will of God” and talks about what those mean. This is as reductive as you could possibly be about the will of God, rather than even mentioning about God’s moral/revealed will and what the Christian ethic consists of beyond these verses. Then, the only principle he gives outside of what is explicitly in Scripture, is “do whatever you want.” That’s hardly a solid basis for living a morally exemplary life.
Chapter 1 - God's will is in the Bible
Chapter 2 - God's will is for you to be a Christian and to share Christianity with others (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9)
Chapter 3- be spirit filled (Ephesians 5:17-19) and filled with the Word
Chapter 4 - be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
Chapter 5 - live a lawful and exemplary life in the eyes of ordinary men (1 Peter 2:13-15)
Chapter 6 - boldly confront the world with the Gospel and stand firm in suffering (1 Peter 3:17; 4:19)
Chapter 7 - do whatever you want
I think his arguments are (badly) mistaken at times. For example, he criticized people for praying for more of God’s Spirit, grace, or to increase our love for others, quoting Bible verses that are supposed to imply God has given all of these that we need. In addition to being obnoxious-first-year-seminary-student levels of pedantic and clearly missing the point and meaning of these prayers, he is simply wrong. MacArthur critiques, “You pray, ‘God, give me more love for so-and-so.’ The Bible says the ‘love of God has been poured out within our hearts’ (Rom. 5:5)”. So, apparently, the love of God being poured out in our hearts implies our love for someone cannot increase. While these two things are not even remotely contradictory, his criticism contradicts a different Bible passage! 2 Thessalonians 1:3 has Paul thanking God because “your love for one another is increasing”. If Paul can thank God for increasing one’s love for another, then I think it’s a legitimate thing to pray for.
I also think his lengthy discussion of submitting to human authorities and obeying laws even when you don’t like it is quite ironic given his whole escapade with his blatant disobedience of COVID restrictions, which did the exact opposite of “silence the critics” that he thinks is important. I guess he thinks COVID restrictions were a direct violation of a command by God, although I don’t believe I have read in the Bible to “make sure you do not change anything about your church meeting habits, including physical location and spacing, even if there is a deadly outbreak of a rapidly spreading illness,” but maybe I missed that Bible passage in my reading.
In the final chapter, he reviews Paul’s decision-making during his missionary journeys in a strange way that totally ignores the difficulties these present to the naïve decision-making procedure that MacArthur recommends. While Paul does not seem to be waiting around for magical voices from God, there are obvious passages in Acts that are worth at least acknowledging are not in line with MacArthur’s suggested simplistic procedure. Acts records audible voices, disciples casting lots, Spirit promptings, angelic appearances, and a vision with exact instructions, for example. These aren’t “normal”, but at least deal with them! When MacArthur does mention Paul being “prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia”, he simply says, “We don’t know how God stopped them, but He did.” Great. Is that totally irrelevant to my life? Will it always be incredibly obvious to me, as obvious as it was to Paul? I have no idea, as MacArthur said nothing else. Again, here I think Kevin DeYoung’s discussion in Just Do Something is much better, adequately dealing with problematic passages in Acts while satisfactorily building a case that Paul was primarily relying on what “seemed good to us” (Acts 15:28) or what opportunities arise (1 Corinthians 16:7-9).
In summary, MacArthur says that “God’s will is that you be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering”, and assuming you’re doing that, do what you want. That’s a really big assumption, whether I am doing all those previous things, which affects the relevance of the suggestion of following my desires. There is a huge question of the extent to which my desires are adequately representing God’s own desires. While my desires surely count for something on their own, and, hopefully, they are generally in line with God’s desires, this guidance is not very helpful nor am I confident that this is the key to making decisions in the Christian life.
But really, the bulk of the book simply looks at verses that explicitly say, “this is the will of God” and talks about what those mean. This is as reductive as you could possibly be about the will of God, rather than even mentioning about God’s moral/revealed will and what the Christian ethic consists of beyond these verses. Then, the only principle he gives outside of what is explicitly in Scripture, is “do whatever you want.” That’s hardly a solid basis for living a morally exemplary life.
Chapter 1 - God's will is in the Bible
Chapter 2 - God's will is for you to be a Christian and to share Christianity with others (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9)
Chapter 3- be spirit filled (Ephesians 5:17-19) and filled with the Word
Chapter 4 - be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
Chapter 5 - live a lawful and exemplary life in the eyes of ordinary men (1 Peter 2:13-15)
Chapter 6 - boldly confront the world with the Gospel and stand firm in suffering (1 Peter 3:17; 4:19)
Chapter 7 - do whatever you want
I think his arguments are (badly) mistaken at times. For example, he criticized people for praying for more of God’s Spirit, grace, or to increase our love for others, quoting Bible verses that are supposed to imply God has given all of these that we need. In addition to being obnoxious-first-year-seminary-student levels of pedantic and clearly missing the point and meaning of these prayers, he is simply wrong. MacArthur critiques, “You pray, ‘God, give me more love for so-and-so.’ The Bible says the ‘love of God has been poured out within our hearts’ (Rom. 5:5)”. So, apparently, the love of God being poured out in our hearts implies our love for someone cannot increase. While these two things are not even remotely contradictory, his criticism contradicts a different Bible passage! 2 Thessalonians 1:3 has Paul thanking God because “your love for one another is increasing”. If Paul can thank God for increasing one’s love for another, then I think it’s a legitimate thing to pray for.
I also think his lengthy discussion of submitting to human authorities and obeying laws even when you don’t like it is quite ironic given his whole escapade with his blatant disobedience of COVID restrictions, which did the exact opposite of “silence the critics” that he thinks is important. I guess he thinks COVID restrictions were a direct violation of a command by God, although I don’t believe I have read in the Bible to “make sure you do not change anything about your church meeting habits, including physical location and spacing, even if there is a deadly outbreak of a rapidly spreading illness,” but maybe I missed that Bible passage in my reading.
In the final chapter, he reviews Paul’s decision-making during his missionary journeys in a strange way that totally ignores the difficulties these present to the naïve decision-making procedure that MacArthur recommends. While Paul does not seem to be waiting around for magical voices from God, there are obvious passages in Acts that are worth at least acknowledging are not in line with MacArthur’s suggested simplistic procedure. Acts records audible voices, disciples casting lots, Spirit promptings, angelic appearances, and a vision with exact instructions, for example. These aren’t “normal”, but at least deal with them! When MacArthur does mention Paul being “prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia”, he simply says, “We don’t know how God stopped them, but He did.” Great. Is that totally irrelevant to my life? Will it always be incredibly obvious to me, as obvious as it was to Paul? I have no idea, as MacArthur said nothing else. Again, here I think Kevin DeYoung’s discussion in Just Do Something is much better, adequately dealing with problematic passages in Acts while satisfactorily building a case that Paul was primarily relying on what “seemed good to us” (Acts 15:28) or what opportunities arise (1 Corinthians 16:7-9).
In summary, MacArthur says that “God’s will is that you be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering”, and assuming you’re doing that, do what you want. That’s a really big assumption, whether I am doing all those previous things, which affects the relevance of the suggestion of following my desires. There is a huge question of the extent to which my desires are adequately representing God’s own desires. While my desires surely count for something on their own, and, hopefully, they are generally in line with God’s desires, this guidance is not very helpful nor am I confident that this is the key to making decisions in the Christian life.
March 27, 2024
An enlightening biblical approach to making decisions. So thankful for the truth in the book! Easy, short read
December 20, 2025
I live my life as a hallway of doors and walk through whichever open. This book is so simple, so clear, and so validating for me as someone who feels secure in God's will, but struggles to explain it to others. And for those who are searching for a way to understand God's will, this is the book. It's short and can be read in under an hour, but every page is excellent.
June 1, 2011
MY REVIEW:
Are you, like so many others, wondering what God's will is for your life? Whether it is at the brink of adulthood or as gray-headed adult looking for change or out of curiosity or any phase in between - this book is for you! It's a perfect read no matter what your age, stage, or maturity level is and it's delightfully short and easy to read.
I personally enjoyed the audio version of this book due to it's shortness and simplicity. John MacArthur doesn't waste your time beating around the bush but rather gets right to the point - the simple truth of what God's will is for your life. He lists several principals for knowing the will of God for your life and they are applicable to all.
The quality of this audio book is great and it's smooth sound makes it a delight to listen to. Each track is a chapter making it user friendly to "read" by chapter and to go back and review a principle.
Once again MacArthur shares the truth simply for all to understand. This is a must-read for all believers - young and old.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided for my review courtesy of christianaudio but in no way was my opinion influenced.
Are you, like so many others, wondering what God's will is for your life? Whether it is at the brink of adulthood or as gray-headed adult looking for change or out of curiosity or any phase in between - this book is for you! It's a perfect read no matter what your age, stage, or maturity level is and it's delightfully short and easy to read.
I personally enjoyed the audio version of this book due to it's shortness and simplicity. John MacArthur doesn't waste your time beating around the bush but rather gets right to the point - the simple truth of what God's will is for your life. He lists several principals for knowing the will of God for your life and they are applicable to all.
The quality of this audio book is great and it's smooth sound makes it a delight to listen to. Each track is a chapter making it user friendly to "read" by chapter and to go back and review a principle.
Once again MacArthur shares the truth simply for all to understand. This is a must-read for all believers - young and old.
* * * * *
This review copy was provided for my review courtesy of christianaudio but in no way was my opinion influenced.
January 12, 2013
A well written, thought provoking book by a teacher of the Gospel. This book is for everyone at any stage in their walk in Christ. If you are unaware of the will of God for you or if you are not sure if you are doing his will, this will definitely give you a clear vision. It is the will of God above all,for all you embark on in your life that you succeed which is the fifth principle he talked about....so money is the will of God for me,he is running my want.
But a hard nugget he mentioned was the suffering, nobody wants to suffer then again it takes a spirit-filled person to want the Glory of his suffering!!
Highly recommend this book
But a hard nugget he mentioned was the suffering, nobody wants to suffer then again it takes a spirit-filled person to want the Glory of his suffering!!
Highly recommend this book
December 22, 2025
Relatively short and to the point
This book took an unexpected turn. But it lays down an interesting and biblical foundation: if you are saved, spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering, then do whatever you want! It lines up with psalm 37:4 which is one of my favorite verses.
This book took an unexpected turn. But it lays down an interesting and biblical foundation: if you are saved, spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering, then do whatever you want! It lines up with psalm 37:4 which is one of my favorite verses.
August 28, 2019
A lovely read! Straightforward. Well laid out. I like it!
December 27, 2020
Conciso y corto pero le falta un poco más de aplicación a la vida diaria
August 24, 2025
"Don’t ever water down the gospel. If the truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while."
December 9, 2025
Short but powerful
January 12, 2026
Short but excellent book! This is especially great for teens, young adults, and “young believers.”
It’s definitely a book I’m gifting to each of my children as they are leaving home.
It’s definitely a book I’m gifting to each of my children as they are leaving home.
February 21, 2025
I love that MacArthur says that God‘s will is not a place but a person. If you can become the right version of you, you can do what you want to do. This book is very helpful in discerning God‘s will for someone’s life.
December 7, 2023
AMAZING BOOK! it’s less the 100 pages, the smallest but most powerhouse book i’ve read. Would recommend for any believer & is a book I will be re reading for the rest of my life.
April 1, 2019
A somewhat shallow treatment of how to determine God's will for your life. MacArthur says that God's will is that you be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering. If you're doing all those, then do whatever you want, because at that point you'll be living a godly life and He'll give you the right desires (Ps 37:4). He explains that the will of God isn't for you to do particular things (move to a particular city, take a particular job, etc.); it's for you to be the right person. When you're the right person, you'll follow His desires and fulfill His will (Rom 12:1-2; 1 Thess 5:18).
Telling a person that once they're living a godly life they should do whatever they want seems simplistic. I think this book could benefit from explaining biblical decision-making principles, as other books on the topic do. I found these books more helpful (in order of recommendation):
1. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
2. God's Will: Finding Guidance for Everyday Decisions by Carolyn Nystrom
3. Can I Know God's Will? by R.C. Sproul
Notes
Is God a Cosmic Killjoy?
Since God has a will for us, He must want us to know it. We can expect Him to communicate it to us in the most obvious way: the Bible, His revelation. God's will is explicit in Scripture.
The Crucial First Step
Until you're saved (God's primary will for your life), God has no reason to reveal to you anything in particular about your life.
If you're not saved, God's will is that you come to Christ. If you are saved, God's will is that you reach others will the Gospel.
The Fizzie Principle
To lead a Spirit-filled life, see what God does through you. Look back on your life and see what God has done with you; that's your spiritual gift.
The Priority of Purity
God's will isn't that you have great talent or ideas, but that you have great likeness to Christ; that you be holy and sanctified (2 Tim 2:21).
Telling a person that once they're living a godly life they should do whatever they want seems simplistic. I think this book could benefit from explaining biblical decision-making principles, as other books on the topic do. I found these books more helpful (in order of recommendation):
1. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
2. God's Will: Finding Guidance for Everyday Decisions by Carolyn Nystrom
3. Can I Know God's Will? by R.C. Sproul
Notes
Is God a Cosmic Killjoy?
Since God has a will for us, He must want us to know it. We can expect Him to communicate it to us in the most obvious way: the Bible, His revelation. God's will is explicit in Scripture.
The Crucial First Step
Until you're saved (God's primary will for your life), God has no reason to reveal to you anything in particular about your life.
If you're not saved, God's will is that you come to Christ. If you are saved, God's will is that you reach others will the Gospel.
The Fizzie Principle
To lead a Spirit-filled life, see what God does through you. Look back on your life and see what God has done with you; that's your spiritual gift.
The Priority of Purity
God's will isn't that you have great talent or ideas, but that you have great likeness to Christ; that you be holy and sanctified (2 Tim 2:21).
April 3, 2016
I like the simplicity of this book. I think sometimes we overthink or complicate God's will for our lives, looking for a sign or a special feeling. God's word has a lot to say about His will which is largely to walk with Him and grow in personal holiness. My big take away from this book can be summed up by Psalm 37:4, namely that if "we delight ourselves in the Lord" (are walking with God), in communion through reading, prayer, listening, fasting, worshiping, evangelism, sharing, giving, etc, and the desires of your heart are not sin according to scripture, then it is safe to say that God is controlling the desires of your heart! So if we are children of Providence and God ordained our days before we were born (Psalm 139), works all things after the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1) and God can also bring good from bad for His glory and His purpose (Romans 8), then walk with God, trust Him to handle whatever you're afraid of screwing up and just do it!
January 5, 2013
This book begins and ends with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“Don’t ever water down the gospel. If the truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while.”
Most of the book is spent helping the reader to understand salvation and the Holy Spirit.
“Do you know what the Spirit-filled life is? It is living every moment as though you are standing in the presence of Christ.”
The remaining chapters address sanctification, submission and suffering. The last chapter arrives at how to recognize God’s Will.
“God’s will is that you be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering.”
This is a small but powerful read that can be understood by the unsaved and Christians alike. The five principles in the book aren’t MacArthur’s steps to success but is simply Scripture made plain.
“Don’t ever water down the gospel. If the truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while.”
Most of the book is spent helping the reader to understand salvation and the Holy Spirit.
“Do you know what the Spirit-filled life is? It is living every moment as though you are standing in the presence of Christ.”
The remaining chapters address sanctification, submission and suffering. The last chapter arrives at how to recognize God’s Will.
“God’s will is that you be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering.”
This is a small but powerful read that can be understood by the unsaved and Christians alike. The five principles in the book aren’t MacArthur’s steps to success but is simply Scripture made plain.
January 20, 2019
This is not a full theological treatise on the Will of God. The subtitle reads, "Find the Direction and Purpose God Wants for Your Life". This is a short treatise that is meant to drive you to the Word of God—seeking His direction in your life. He lays down five necessary Scriptural principles like dominoes until he arrives at his conclusion.
Child of God, you need to read this book. It'll take an hour, at most.
Child of God, you need to read this book. It'll take an hour, at most.
October 17, 2015
This was probably the greatest little book that I have ever read. It was only 61 pages long, and MacArthur used plenty of Scripture for reference and showed how simple it is in following the Lord's will. This book is not for the unsaved, but after they do get saved, it would probably be the most important book (excluding the Word of God), that a new Christian should possess and read.
July 14, 2017
One of the best books I've ever read!
December 18, 2021
John MacArthur is a reformed bible teacher who has blessed many by his ministry Grace to You for many years. He has caught the attention of many due to his unshaken defense of Gods word and his faithful exposition of it throughout the last 50+ years.
Throughout the last few years, I have tried to read every John MacArthur book that I own. In the process I came upon this short book (more like a pamphlet) and had to read it. In it, John summarizes how to know Gods will. He tells the believer of the things that they must do in order for God to be able to use them. I believe the simplicity of this book is the reason that it has gained so much popularity. This book is not filled with a system or a step program but is drawn completely from the bible. In classic John MacArthur fashion it made me start thinking and was very eye opening. Even for being such a very short book, this should be something that every Christian reads. It was a huge blessing to me. Highly recommend.
Throughout the last few years, I have tried to read every John MacArthur book that I own. In the process I came upon this short book (more like a pamphlet) and had to read it. In it, John summarizes how to know Gods will. He tells the believer of the things that they must do in order for God to be able to use them. I believe the simplicity of this book is the reason that it has gained so much popularity. This book is not filled with a system or a step program but is drawn completely from the bible. In classic John MacArthur fashion it made me start thinking and was very eye opening. Even for being such a very short book, this should be something that every Christian reads. It was a huge blessing to me. Highly recommend.
April 20, 2024
A very straightforward and easy read. Five simple steps to knowing what God's will for you is. You are probably heading the right direction if you have picked up this book.
I read the book quickly and didn't think much of it. Then I realized that I had once again failed to actually take time and be a student. So, I read it again, took notes, and thought about what I read. What I came to understand is that I think I have step one and step two done, but three is hard, four really hard for me, and most of us probably don't really want to do step five.
I won't tell you what the steps are, that is what the book is for! Go ahead, read the book, take the challenge and may God bless you. I may still be struggling with step four, but I am being blessed by the journey.
I read the book quickly and didn't think much of it. Then I realized that I had once again failed to actually take time and be a student. So, I read it again, took notes, and thought about what I read. What I came to understand is that I think I have step one and step two done, but three is hard, four really hard for me, and most of us probably don't really want to do step five.
I won't tell you what the steps are, that is what the book is for! Go ahead, read the book, take the challenge and may God bless you. I may still be struggling with step four, but I am being blessed by the journey.
January 10, 2025
This is a small, helpful booklet that simply answers the question “how do I know Gods will for my life?” That question has become something that many Christian’s answer with complicated, unclear, mystical answers. John McArthur answers it with scripture in a simple, easy, clear way. He makes a few very impactful statements at the end that remind us we’ve come to look at this question from the wrong angle. Gods will isn’t a place…it’s you as a person. That mindset completely changes how we view this question.
I’ll have my teenagers read this book for sure. It’s quick and easy and very applicable.
I’ll have my teenagers read this book for sure. It’s quick and easy and very applicable.
June 10, 2017
John MacArthur writes like he preaches - simple, clear and devoid of fluff. I have been reading books, articles and listening to sermons on God's will since I was a teenager. None (of those I read/listened to date) deals with the subject like MacArthur. He addresses the subject in a clear and logical way that "takes the mystery out of knowing God's will."
The strength of this book is the practical - yet biblically sound - answers it provides. Unlike other literature on the subject, it does not leave its reader confused in the end - pleasantly surprised, but not confused.
The strength of this book is the practical - yet biblically sound - answers it provides. Unlike other literature on the subject, it does not leave its reader confused in the end - pleasantly surprised, but not confused.
December 23, 2019
Fantastic short little listen...I plan to re-listen from time to time...very good reminders here.
1- be saved as per the Word
2- be Spirit filled/led as per the Word
3- be sanctified as per the Word
4- submit to what you read in the Word
5- be read to suffer for obeying the Word
6- whatever you want after 1-5
We know this...and hear all in part...but having it together was helpful for me...I'm a list person...helps me focus...he's more wordy than needed sometimes, but he's incredibly practical and funny without sacrificing doctrine...TY sir!
1- be saved as per the Word
2- be Spirit filled/led as per the Word
3- be sanctified as per the Word
4- submit to what you read in the Word
5- be read to suffer for obeying the Word
6- whatever you want after 1-5
We know this...and hear all in part...but having it together was helpful for me...I'm a list person...helps me focus...he's more wordy than needed sometimes, but he's incredibly practical and funny without sacrificing doctrine...TY sir!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2021
Gods Will.
This was an amazing book on the finding the Will of God. Many books have been written on this subject but none as better as this one. Dr. MacArthur lays out five principles of doing the Will of God, (Be saved, Spirit-filled, Sanctified, Submissive, and Suffering) better known as the five S's. He breaks down what each principle means and what it takes to get to that point. Once you can say you can operate in this five principles you can come to God boldly and He'll give you your desires because your desires have become His.
This was an amazing book on the finding the Will of God. Many books have been written on this subject but none as better as this one. Dr. MacArthur lays out five principles of doing the Will of God, (Be saved, Spirit-filled, Sanctified, Submissive, and Suffering) better known as the five S's. He breaks down what each principle means and what it takes to get to that point. Once you can say you can operate in this five principles you can come to God boldly and He'll give you your desires because your desires have become His.
August 21, 2021
Good, but not great. Macarthur spends much time being punchy/seemingly self-aggrandizing instead of succinct and expositonal. Don't get me wrong the content of what he said was helpful and true, but the way he conveyed it could be off-putting and even brash. Helpful little book for those who think they have to try to listen for a "still small voice" or otherwise. Christ speaks plainly in His Word! "Love God, then do whatever you want" - this implies that if you truly love God, what you desire will be in accordance with His will.
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