God’s Will
The Bible says all of these things at once:
God heals
God allows suffering
God commands holiness
People sin
God is sovereign over everything
This presents major questions on how all of this can fit together and not be contradictory.
The circles of Christianity that I have been a part of for about 15 years have placed an over-emphasis on healing an under-emphasis on suffering.
They seemed to oversimplify that the world is a battle of good against evil and we are on the side of good. And if we have enough faith or work hard enough we will always see "good" win. I've found this oversimplified version of God's nature to be harmful to theological growth.
I would say I’ve heard thousands of sermons on healing, and maybe two or three on suffering.
To be balanced believers we need a balanced perspective of both healing & deliverance and suffering.
I wrote the article below with the help of an AI created biblical scholar. The majority of it is not my words, but a simplified form of how scholars view the will of God.
I think this article will set many people free in giving them a fundamental tool to grapple with the tension of healing & deliverance and designed suffering…
📖 1. God’s Sovereign Will (Decretive Will)
This is:
What God has ultimately ordained and will certainly happen
Nothing can stop this will.
📖 Examples:
Isaiah 46:10 — “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose”
Ephesians 1:11 — “He works all things according to the counsel of his will”
🧠 Key idea:
This includes even things God does not morally approve of, but still permits and uses.
👉 Example:
The crucifixion of Jesus
Acts 2:23
“Delivered up according to the definite plan… you crucified…”
✔️ God ordained it
❌ It was still sinful
📖 2. God’s Moral Will (Revealed Will)
This is:
What God commands and desires morally
This is the will people can obey or disobey.
📖 Examples:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 — “This is the will of God, your sanctification”
Exodus 20 — Ten Commandments
🧠 Key idea:
This will is often violated (sin exists)
📖 3. God’s Will of Desire (Compassionate Will)
This refers to:
What God genuinely desires or delights in
Even if it does not always happen.
📖 Examples:
1 Timothy 2:4 — God “desires all people to be saved”
2 Peter 3:9 — “not wishing that any should perish”
Ezekiel 18:23 — God does not delight in the death of the wicked
🧠 Key idea:
God can desire something that He does not decree to happen in every case
📖 4. God’s Permissive Will
This is:
What God allows, even though it is not His ideal desire
This is often where people place:
Suffering
Sin
Disease
Trials
📖 Example:
Job 1–2 — God allows Satan to afflict Job
Romans 1:24 — “God gave them up…”
🧠 Key idea:
God is not the author of evil
But He permits it within His sovereign plan
📖 5. God’s Providential Will
This is:
How God actively works through all circumstances to accomplish His purposes
📖 Example:
Romans 8:28
“God works all things together for good…”
Genesis 50:20
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”
🧠 Key idea:
God is actively weaving everything together, including suffering
⚖️ Putting It All Together (This is the key)
Here’s how these categories help explain the questions about:
suffering, sickness, healing, deliverance…etc.
Example: Sickness
Moral will → God desires wholeness, life, goodness
Will of desire → God does not delight in suffering
Permissive will → God allows sickness in a fallen world
Sovereign will → God uses it for His purposes
Providence → God works through it for growth, testimony, glory
🧠 Why this framework exists
Because the Bible says ALL of these at once:
God heals
God allows suffering
God commands holiness
People sin
God is sovereign over everything
Without categories, these seem contradictory.
With categories, we can say:
God is good, sovereign, and purposeful, even when circumstances are painful
🔥 Important balance (this matters for you)
These categories are meant to help—but they can be misused if taken too far.
Two dangers:
❌ Overemphasizing sovereignty:
“Everything is God’s will, don’t pray for change”
❌ Overemphasizing desire:
“If you have enough faith, suffering should disappear”
The Bible holds both:
Pray for healing
Trust God if it doesn’t come immediately
📖 A verse that holds the tension perfectly
Deuteronomy 29:29
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us…”
🧾 Simple Summary
Type of Will
Meaning
Sovereign
What God has decreed will happen
Moral
What God commands
Desire
What God delights in
Permissive
What God allows
Providential
How God works through everything
Final thought (very practical)
When you’re in suffering, the most helpful way to think is:
👉 God is not against you
👉 God is not absent
👉 God is not wasting this
Even when you don’t understand which “category” something falls into.
-Written by Jeremy Gilbert
