In a very practical yet Scripturally accurate manner, James C. Petty delineates what he and many call the "Wisdom View" concerning divine guidance. Petty differentiates his view from the widely held "Traditional" view, in which circumstances and epiphanies control decisions, and the "Charismatic" view, in which revelations and direct communications bring understanding.

This author seeks to primarily demonstrate the distinctions between his "Wisdom" view and the "Traditional" view. Both views attest to God having a will for believers. Both views hold a high regard for the sovereignty of God in asserting that there is particular will for each individual believer in the mind of God. The division between the two is made when the "Traditional" view claims that it remains necessary for the believer to know that specific will of God for their life.

This is clearly seen when 21st century teens in fundamental and evangelical circles decide on a college. Which college is God's will for them? Or several years later they ask, "Is the person I am going to marry the person I am supposed to marry in God's will?" Or further down the road, "Is it God's will that I buy this car?"

James C. Petty sets forth the primary misunderstanding of God's will. He demonstrates that in Scripture God's will is spoken of in two ways. These ways are the "plan of God", otherwise noted as his decretive will, and the "commandments of God", also known as his preceptive will. The first will is simply God sovereignly knowing the particular occurrences that will happen in every situation on any occasion for all time. The second will is his revealed will that His Scriptures embody. Where the two views concerning God's will collide remains in the fact that the "Traditional" view believes that it is possible for man to know God's future plan or his decretive will. Petty sets forth the idea that this notion does not base itself on Scripture.

In his "Wisdom" view, Petty demonstrates that God has revealed 'all truth' that we need for doctrine and godliness. Rather than piecing together the circumstances of our lives to determine God's future plan, we wholly rely on biblical guidance for decisions.

To accomplish this view, he sets forth a seven step plan:

1) consecration
2) information
3) supplication
4) consultation
5) meditation
6) decision
7) expectation

Each of these are drawn from biblical passages on guidance and demonstrated as the way a mature believer should approach small and great decisions alike.