The Consequences of Being Out of the Will of God – Sunday Service

Living Within God’s Will: Peace, Joy, and the Dangers of Straying

When we talk about being in God’s will, most people think of rules, punishment, or fear. But the truth is far deeper. God’s will is not about control—it’s about relationship. It’s about walking in the place where His presence, peace, and joy flow freely into our lives.

In the Old Testament, being outside of God’s will meant curses, captivity, fear, and even death. Under the law, judgment was tied directly to performance. Step off the path, and destruction followed. But everything changed with Jesus. Through the cross, God opened a new covenant of grace. Today, the consequences of stepping outside His will are no longer curses, but something quieter—and yet just as dangerous: the loss of peace, the loss of joy, and the corruption that comes from sowing to the flesh instead of the Spirit.

Maybe you’ve felt it. Life looks successful on the outside—better job, more money, new opportunities—but inside, you can’t sleep. Your joy is gone. Anger and frustration boil up, and you wonder, Why am I so restless? That is often the quiet evidence that you’ve stepped away from God’s best. His will isn’t about rules—it’s about alignment. When you’re aligned, His peace anchors you. When you’re not, even good things feel empty.

But here’s the hope: even when you drift, God does not leave you. Hebrews reminds us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He won’t curse you or abandon you—but He will let your fellowship with Him feel strained, so that you’re drawn back to His path. It’s not punishment; it’s loving correction.

Galatians says, “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Sowing to the flesh—pursuing what seems good without asking God—always leads to corruption. You can chase money, fame, or relationships, but if God didn’t call you to them, they will drain you instead of fulfill you. But when you sow to the Spirit—living in God’s will—you reap life, peace, and lasting fruit.

The choice is always before us: to settle for less than God’s best, or to walk in the fullness of His plan. Don’t let offense, fear, or self-interest pull you away from His will. Ask Him daily, “Lord, what do You want for me? Show me how to love You and love others in every decision.”

God’s will isn’t a prison. It’s freedom. It’s where joy lives. It’s where peace stays. And it’s where you discover the life you were truly created to live.