According to Ellen White's writings, knowing God's will is a process that involves several key steps:
1. Surrender and Seeking Guidance: God reveals His will to those who are earnest and truly desire to be guided by Him (
3T 466.4).
2. Submission in Prayer: When we pray, we should submit our desires to God, saying, “Not my will, but Thine, be done,” just as Jesus did (
MH 230.1;
GW 218.1).
3. Study and Consecration: Gaining knowledge of God's will comes from studying His word and living a life of daily consecration and service (8T 63;
4T 53.3).
4. Obedience and Light: As we obey the duties God has already made clear, He will reveal more to us and help us understand what we are still unsure about (
SC 111.2).
5. The Bible as the Guide: God's will is revealed in the Bible, and everyone can find the path God wants them to walk by studying the Scriptures (
CE 84.1).
6. Faith and Works: True faith in Christ leads us to desire and do God's will, and our faith is made perfect by our actions (
5T 644.1).
7. Humble Obedience Brings More Light: As we walk in humble obedience, God will continue to reveal more of His will to us (
MH 465.2).
In summary, Ellen White teaches that knowing God's will involves earnestly seeking Him, surrendering our own desires, praying with submission, studying the Bible, obeying what we already know, and living by faith. As we do these things, God promises to reveal more of His will to us.
References:
- Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 466.4
- The Ministry of Healing, p. 230.1; Gospel Workers, p. 218.1
- Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 63; vol. 4, p. 53.3
- Steps to Christ, p. 111.2
- Christian Education, p. 84.1
- Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 644.1
- The Ministry of Healing, p. 465.2
If you’d like more specific examples or further explanation, feel free to ask!