The Restless Soul: Living Outside of God's Will

In our pursuit to fill the voids in our lives, many of us unknowingly walk an empty path. It may seem good, yet it leads only to false satisfaction. True fulfillment comes when we align ourselves with God's will—when we follow His commands and allow the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and permeate our hearts. Conversely, when we live outside of God's will, we are left with a restless spirit and a lack of true peace. The book of Proverbs warns us, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12, KJV). This scripture serves as a powerful reminder that living outside of God's will leads to spiritual emptiness and a loss of true peace.

The Deception of the Flesh

The flesh is unreliable, leading us to indulge in things that bring no true fulfillment. This is one of the enemy's primary tactics—to lure us into chasing what seems right but ultimately destroys us from within, defiling our hearts, stripping away the beauty of our spirits, and leaving us with carnal minds. The Apostle Paul eloquently describes this battle in Romans 8:6: "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8:6, KJV). Allowing the flesh to dominate our decisions distances us from the life and peace that the Holy Spirit provides.

The allure of money, success and worldly indulgences can be irresistibly enticing; however, they ultimately culminate in dissatisfaction and despair. These fleeting distractions offer only transient relief, while gradually compelling us to forfeit our spiritual well-being and moral integrity. Jesus Himself said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26, KJV). No amount of earthly gain can replace the deep, abiding peace that comes from a life surrendered to God.

The Inner Conflict

One of the most profound consequences of living outside of God's will is the inner turmoil that arises within us. Galatians 5:17 vividly illustrates this struggle: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." (Galatians 5:17, KJV).

Often, we become exhausted because we are torn between two forces: clinging to our flesh while striving to fully commit to God. During this battle, we feel uncomfortable, sensing the conviction of the Holy Spirit, yet we are not spiritually strong enough to resist the very desires we've empowered for so long. In feeding our flesh, we grow spiritually lost. However, this discomfort also serves as a sign of God's leadership and guidance—a divine call to return to Him, a warning to realign our hearts with His will.

When we cannot find peace in our lives, it is often an indication that we are not living fully in God's will. We are called to live according to His word, to be obedient, and to surrender ourselves to Him. Only then can we experience the "peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7, KJV)—a peace so deep within our hearts that nothing and no one can diminish it.

The Path to Peace

The path to true peace begins with repentance and a willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit. The Bible is clear: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, KJV). We are called to pick up our cross and die daily. To experience the fullness of God's blessings, we must surrender our hearts, plans, and desires, trusting that His plan is the best and perfect plan. It is not a plan free from trials and tribulations—though these challenges are beneficial to our spiritual growth—but rather one that brings a profound understanding that we are in alignment with God's will. This alignment provides a peace that no temporary satisfaction from the world can offer.

Jesus promised, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27, KJV).

Conclusion

We will never find true peace outside of God's will because the world offers nothing but fleeting distractions, never fulfilling our deepest needs. True peace comes when we place our trust in the author of peace—our Holy Father, the Prince of the kings of the earth, the Beginning and the End, Alpha and omega, the First Begotten of the dead—our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST!

The restless soul can only find rest in God, as the psalmist declares, "Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." (Psalm 116:7, KJV). May we all choose to walk in the Spirit, finding our peace and joy in the perfect will of God.