Based on Ellen White's extensive writings on knowing God's will, here are the key principles she outlines: ## How to Know God's Will ### 1. Study God's Word with Prayer and Humility Ellen White emphasizes that **"In order to know the will of God, you must study it, rather than follow your inclinations and the natural bent of your own mind"** (4T 53.3). She explains that **"The will of God is revealed in his written word, and this is the essential knowledge"** (CE 84.1). The approach to Bible study is crucial: **"We should come with reverence to the study of the Bible, feeling that we are in the presence of God... There must be patient study and meditation, and earnest prayer. Every student, as he opens the Scriptures, should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit"** (GW92 127.2). ### 2. Surrender Your Will to God A fundamental principle is complete surrender: **"You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ"** (SC 47.1). She explains that **"What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will"** (SC 47.1). ### 3. Willingness to Obey Leads to Understanding Christ's promise is central: **"If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching"** (SC 111.2). Ellen White explains: **"Instead of questioning and caviling concerning that which you do not understand, give heed to the light that already shines upon you, and you will receive greater light. By the grace of Christ, perform every duty that has been made plain to your understanding, and you will be enabled to understand and perform those of which you are now in doubt"** (SC 111.2). ### 4. Maintain Open Communication with God **"All who would become efficient workers must give much time to prayer. The communication between God and the soul must be kept open, that the workers may recognize the voice of their Captain"** (GW 76.3). She counsels: **"Take every such suggestion to the Lord in prayer, and seek His guidance, not once only, but again and again. Plead with Him until you are convinced whether the counsel is of God or man"** (CT 411.3). ### 5. Submit to Divine Guidance When we truly surrender, **"we surrender ourselves to the guidance of God, asking Him to lead us in safe paths. We cannot offer this prayer in sincerity, and yet decide to walk in any way of our own choosing. We shall wait for His hand to lead us; we shall listen to His voice, saying, 'This is the way, walk ye in it'"** (MB 117.2). ### 6. God Reveals His Will to the Earnest Seeker Ellen White assures us: **"The Lord reveals His will to those who are earnest and anxious to be guided"** (3T 466.4). She explains that **"God knows the end from the beginning. He is acquainted with the hearts of all men"** (MH 230.1), and therefore we can trust His guidance even when we don't understand all the reasons. ### The Result of Knowing God's Will **"The soul that lives by faith on Christ desires no other nor greater good than to know and to do the will of God"** (5T 644.1). When we follow these principles, **"Those who study the Bible, counsel with God, and rely upon Christ will be enabled to act wisely at all times and under all circumstances"** (5T 43.1). The key is combining diligent Bible study, earnest prayer, complete surrender of our will to God, and willingness to obey the light already given to us. Through this process, God promises to guide us and reveal His will for our lives.