I will attempt to keep the explanation presented here as
simple as possible. This presentation is not written in a general format, as
would be the norm when writing to the general public, but in a specific manner
as to address what I believe to be a specific need and desire to know the
answer to the question of what is the difference between God’s perfect will and
His permissive will.
The first thing I would like to define is the word “will” as
it pertains to God, and how it should be understood in engaging the study of
scripture. To this we will use one of the most oft quoted and yet, grossly
misunderstood scriptures in the Bible. This scripture is probably the primary
source of all of the confusion concerning God’s perfect and permissive will.
2 And do not (C)be conformed to(D)this [c]world, but be transformed
by the (E)renewing of your mind, so
that you may [d](F)prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and[e]acceptable and perfect.
(Rom. 12:2, NASB)
The original language of the New Testament is
Greek. The word in the Greek translated “will” is: G2307 – θέλημα, thelēma, thel'-ay-mah, - From
the prolonged form of G2309; a determination
(properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose,
decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination: -
desire, pleasure, will. (Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries)
In the context of
what is being written by the Apostle Paul here, the word “will” can be defined
as the divine declaration or decree (informally, the plan) God has established
for the life of every individual. It is his personal desire for His creation.
With this
definition in mind we will move forward. It is important to understand the
character and essence of God in order to truly understand His will. God is 100%
righteous and holy; so, we have to understand that the “will” (declaration,
decrees, and desires) of God are not capricious. God only has one will, this is
the will he declared in eternity past for you. God, by His very nature, cannot
have more than one will. What God desire for every person is His best. What
every person chooses and God allows is another story.
Where the term
permissive will comes in is in dealing with the fact that God created man with
free volition (the ability to choose without inhibition). What this means is
that though God knows what he wants for every believer, he will not force it
upon them; he will allow (permit, i.e. permissive) them to choose for
themselves what they will do. In this case, what God allows (permits) is not
His will, but yours. What most people confuse with God’s permissive will is
actually God allowing man the freedom of volition (God allowed the Jews to
practice polygamy, but obviously it was not his will for them. Genesis 19:4-5,
Gen. 2:24-25, he simply allowed it). Another analogy would be one of your
children wanting to bypass college in order to pursue what you consider to be a
foolish endeavor. Yet, you allow them to do it because you have always told
them that once they were adults they could make their own decisions. This is
not your will for them. You are allowing them the freedom to pursue their own
will. Despite the fact that you don’t approve of their decision, you will be
there to help them pick up the pieces when it falls apart because you are their
parent and you love them. It’s the same with God when we move opposite His
will.
What does this
mean? It means that God has a desire for every believer and that at some point
every believer (based on their fallible human nature) will venture from God’s “will”
in lieu of their own. The awesome thing here is God is not taken by surprise by
this decision by the believer to go renegade from His plan, because He in
omniscient (Meaning that God knows everything that has ever transpired, is
transpiring, and will transpire. This includes all what ifs). God can take a bad
decision that He has allowed (because he will not interfere with the volition
of anyone) and create the perfect process through which the believer can benefit
from the mistake and find his/herself back in the divine will of God (this does
not eliminate consequences).
Where a great deal of confusion comes
from when people speak of God’s perfect will vs. His permissive will is the use
of the word “perfect” (Greek - G5046 – τέλειος,
teleios, tel'-i-os
From G5056; complete[in various applications
of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.]; neuter [as noun, with G3588] completeness: - of full age, man,
perfect. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries). Many mistakenly assume that
because there is a perfect will, there must be a less than perfect will, but
that would be contrary to God’s essence and His character. God’s will (his
desire, decree, or declaration) can only be the highest possible outcome.
Anything less than what is the “perfect” (“teleios”, complete and perfect)
comes from the volitional execution of the individual.
Basically, the use
of the term “permissive will” gives the connotation that God has sort of a “well,
it’s not what I really want, but this will have to do” mentality against our
wayward movement in His plan. Can God take your poor decisions and still work
it in a way that he can eventually bring blessings to you despite your “willful”
disobedience? Yes. Is this the best route to take? Absolutely not!
Now, where there
seems to be further confusion is in God’s ability to clean up our mess. When we
choose to move opposite the will of God, God can still take our mess and
through applying the proper amount of pressure, cause us to move back towards
him, and in doing so it aligns us with His will for our lives and allows God to
bless us.
Example: An
unmarried couple moves into together and of course they are having pre-marital
sex. This is definitely not the will of God for them, but he allows (permits
it, based on the freedom of volition for mankind) it; however, the consequences
of this decision is inevitable and God will allow the consequences along with
other variable pressures to push the individuals involved to readjust their
thinking. They separate, get married, and move back in together. God will not
only honor that marriage, he will bless it, as long as they remain in His will.
This does not mean that there may not be lingering consequences because of the
initial decision, but as far the issues with living together and all the other
things that come along with it, it is now within the will of God as far as that
particular situation is concerned.
 |
| Dr. Rick Wallace |
Another fallible
concept by some is that permissive will refers to things like choosing the
right mate or a number of other personal decisions. In other words, some
believe that God has a certain person for you and that if you choose the wrong
person that falls under the category of God’s permissive will. God has given us
his will for marriage. We should not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever.
That is the big pre-marriage declaration (will) of God. Most all other
declarations concerning marriage are post marriage. Now, there are many that
won’t support me in this, but scripture supports it; God is concerned with who
you marry, but He is much more concerned about what you do after you marry.
Obviously, what I
rendered here is an extremely basic explanation of this extremely intricate
doctrine.
I’m sure that
there will be subsequent questions. For any areas of this explanation in which
clarity is lacking I apologize. Just know that I will commit to making sure
that eventually all areas will be clarified. Should you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me directly at rpw@rickwallaceministries.com
Be blessed ~ Dr.
Rick Wallace
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