THE LIMITATIONS OF PERMISSIVE WILL

TEXT: Genesis 19:17-22

Permissive will is a situation where a man opts for something other than God’s will for his life. It looks fairly good and acceptable, but it is a form of disobedience. It implies allowing one’s five (5) senses (and not God) to dictate one’s choices in life.

Permissive will amplifies the voice of human reasoning above God’s leading. It is to build one’s life and future on analysis and not faith. It is a way of saying you know better than God and so you take the lead while God should provide the means. It is choosing your way and wanting God to rubber-stamp it.

There are several implications of permissive will, but we consider five (5) in the context of our text – the story of Lot.

1. To opt for permissive will is to settle for smallness in life

Lot was offered a place to escape to but he settled for his own choice. The name of the place was called Zoar – meaning small. And so Lot entered small and died small. There is not great destiny for a child of God who prefers permissive will to God’s perfect will.

2. Permissive will is a demonstration of disobedience

Humanity calls it permissive will, divinity sees it as disobedience. It is grace that sustains the perfect will of God. But it is mercy that sustains permissive will. While the individual is alive, mercy will speak. But there is a limit to which mercy can speak…in eternity, the language of mercy is not known. In eternity, permissive will is viewed as disobedience, and disobedience has no place in Heaven.

3. Permissive will hinders God’s move in and around a man’s life

“For I cannot do anything till thou be come hither” (Genesis 19:22). Whenever you perceive unusual difficulty with God, then check if you are within His will.

Permissive will repels the atmosphere of unction because it takes God’s will to connect with God’s grace and it is grace that births unction.

4. Divine allocations are missed in permissive will

God sustains His perfect will via spiritual provisions. When a man is in permissive will, allocations are missed.

5. In permissive will, the future and eternity are anchored on chance and luck and for this reason troubles and struggles cannot be ruled out. Destiny happens by choice not by chance. Heaven is by choice and not by chance.

To prefer permissive will above God’s perfect will is to doubt the power and ability of God. It is unbelief in disguise. This way, many are living in unbelief and yet looking forward to Heaven. It is written, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”  (Revelations 21:8).

Just the way murder is, so unbelief is! And to trust in permissive will than God’s perfect will is to demonstrate unbelief. Friend, it is time to surrender to nothing but the will of God for your life. By this, divine destiny is inevitable and Heaven is truly in view.