Live 4 The LORD

Here is a list of key places in the ESV (English Standard Version) Bible where it speaks about doing the will of God. These passages either explicitly use the phrase or clearly describe what it means to do God’s will:

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Old Testament

While the exact phrase “will of God” is rare in the Old Testament, the idea is often expressed in terms like “obeying God’s commandments” or “walking in His ways.” Most direct references to “the will of God” occur in the New Testament.

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New Testament References

Here are the main passages in the ESV where the concept or phrase “the will of God” is clearly referenced:

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Jesus’ Teachings

1. Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

2. Matthew 12:50

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

3. John 4:34

“Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.’”

4. John 6:38-40

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me…”

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Paul’s Letters

5. Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

6. Ephesians 5:17

“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

7. Ephesians 6:6

”…not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”

8. 1 Thessalonians 4:3

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality…”

9. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

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Peter’s Letters

10. 1 Peter 2:15

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”

11. 1 Peter 3:17

“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

12. 1 Peter 4:2

”…so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.”

13. 1 Peter 4:19

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

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Other Notable Mentions

14. Hebrews 10:36

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

15. 1 John 2:17

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”