When God Speaks

June 28, 2026

Dr. Paul Cannings

Knowing God’s will and accepting God’s will are two different things. To know God’s will is to understand what He is saying. Accepting God’s will means adjusting one’s life to whatever God now requires and responding in obedience.

Peter knew that Christ would die because Jesus clearly told His disciples. Yet Peter did not want to accept it. The first time he heard it, he rebuked Christ, prompting Jesus to respond, “Get behind Me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23). Later, when Christ was arrested, Peter denied Him and hid in fear. Peter possessed knowledge, but he struggled to accept and embrace God’s plan.

Moses faced a similar challenge. God instructed him to speak to the rock so that water would come forth for the people of Israel (Numbers 20:8). However, because Moses had struck the rock the first time God provided water (Exodus 17:6), he acted out of frustration and struck the rock twice instead of obeying God’s specific command. Moses knew that God had said, but in that moment, he failed to accept God’s way and follow it.

The Bible repeatedly teaches that knowledge alone is insufficient:

 

“….we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes

arrogant, but love edifies.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)

 

James reinforces this truth:

 

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers

who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and

not a doer, ………….… But one who looks intently at the perfect law,

the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful

hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what

he does.” (James 1:22-25; NASU)

 

It is important to realize that a person who merely possesses knowledge often builds themselves up (1 Corinthians 8:1). However, a person who accepts God’s Word as a way of life allows the Spirit of God to transform their character, producing wisdom, maturity, and spiritual fruit (2 Peter 1:3-11).

Many years ago in Birmingham, Alabama, there lived a Presbyterian pastor named James Bryan. Throughout the city he was affectionately known as “Brother Bryan.” While many preachers were stronger in pulpit oratory, few preached more powerfully through their daily lives.

Like Jesus, he went about doing good. On cold days it was not unusual for him to return home without his overcoat because he had given it to someone in need. One spring day, while traveling through the countryside in his horse and buggy, he came upon a farmer standing dejectedly in his field. It was time for spring plowing, but the farmer’s only horse had died. Brother Bryan immediately unhitched his own horse, gave it to the farmer, and walked home. His life demonstrated that accepting God’s will means putting God’s love into action. It was fitting that his biography was later titled A Sermon in Shoes. (Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.)

 

Jesus highlighted the same principle when He observed the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44). His focus was not on the amount she gave, for she contributed only two small copper coins. Rather, He emphasized her faith. She gave believing that God was truly her Provider, while many others gave from their abundance and still had plenty remaining. The widow demonstrated acceptance of God’s will through trust and sacrifice.

Likewise, when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He provided a living example of humble service. He called His followers to serve others, yet they had become more concerned with position and recognition than with servanthood (Mark 10:41-45). Christ taught them that true discipleship requires more than understanding truth – it requires submitting to it.

 

Therefore, Jesus declared:

 

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

 

The difference between spiritual maturity and spiritual immaturity is often found in the difference between knowing God’s will and accepting God’s will. Knowledge informs the mind, but acceptance transforms life. God blesses those who not only hear His Word but also embrace it, obey it, and allow it to shape their character and conduct.