God’s Perfect Will vs. God’s Permissive Will
God’s general will is revealed in the Holy Scriptures. For instance, does the LORD want you to live a life of fornication or adultery? Obviously not. Theologians call this God’s preceptive will, based on the word ‘precept,’ which means rule, mandate, guideline or principle.
God’s more specific will is revealed to the individual believer by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26 & John 16:13), which would also technically be the LORD’s preceptive will.
Both of these would fall under the category of “God’s perfect will” for the individual.
Since our Creator reigns supreme, God is sovereign, but within that sovereignty he allows humans freewill, which opens the door to the LORD’s permissive will. In other words, God permits humans to make decisions or conduct themselves in a way that isn’t in accord with God’s perfect will.
In addition, the LORD permits humans to make decisions about things that are of little concern to the Almighty. For instance, the color of the socks/shoes you are wearing today are up to you, depending on your resources.
To complicate matters, Yahweh’s permissive will can involve:
- Decisions/behaviors that are not sinful.
- Decisions/behaviors that are sinful.
An example of the former would be the Israelite’s wanting a king in order to be “like all the other nations,” which was against God’s perfect will, yet the LORD permitted it (1 Samuel 8:4-22). An example of the latter would be God permitting David to commit adultery with Bathsheba and indirectly murder her husband, which of course had negative repercussions (2 Samuel 11-12).
An attack by the enemy or human enemies would fall under God’s permissive will. For instance, it was Satan’s idea to attack Job, God just allowed it (Job 1-2). Also, it was Joseph’s wicked siblings who captured & sold their young brother into slavery, the LORD merely permitted it and ultimately brought about good from it (Genesis 37 & 50:20).
Consider some examples from the New Testament. Mark 3:35 and 1 John 2:17 would (presumably) refer to God’s preceptive will whereas 1 Peter 4:19 refers to God’s permissive will.
A small book could be written on this topic, but these are the basics. Chew on the ideas and you’ll gain further insight in your studies.
Related Topics:
Human Freewill and God’s Sovereignty
Should You “PUT OUT A FLEECE” to Determine God’s Will?
How to keep BALANCED in every area of Life
What Scripture Passages Disprove Calvinism?
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