Self-Will: Surrendering My Will to God's

Self-will sits at the heart of every act of sin: it is the insistence on going my own way rather than God's. This article traces how stubbornness first took root, what insisting on "my will" costs us, and how a broken, yielded will becomes the doorway to blessing.

What Self-Will Looks Like

A self-willed person is obstinate, determined to do something anyway, regardless of reasoned, wise advice. They are often difficult to handle or work with, being headstrong, rebellious, manipulative and unreliable, and they resent correction, with a 'No one is going to tell me what to do' attitude. The pride which underlies self-will is dangerous, as it risks us falling into error or even destruction (Prov 16:18).

Do I submit my plans to the Lord? – Proverbs 3:6

Where It Began and What It Costs

The motivation of Satan's heart was, "I will…" (Isa 14:12-13). This insidious trait permeated the Garden of Eden, and has shadowed humanity ever since, for "By one man's disobedience [all humanity] were made sinners, yet by the obedience of [Jesus] many will be made righteous" (Rom 5:19). King Saul was one who regularly did things his way, in spite of direct instruction to the contrary – this was his downfall (1 Sam 10:8, 13:8-14, 15:3-24). The prodigal son likewise learned that blessings can be forfeited by insisting on going our own way (Lk 15:11-31). While forgiveness is available, we do not need to learn the hard way through a loss of blessing, wasted years and the lingering consequences of yielding to selfish desires (Rom 6:13). God's way of wisdom is always superior to the short-sighted, carnal way.

Does 'my will' or God's direct my life?

Saying "Not My Will, But Yours"

Determination is a desirable quality, provided we are operating according to the principles and commands of Scripture, with our stubborn self-will broken by the loving, redeeming act of God. Then we will say "Not my will, but yours [God] be done", being in willing submission to our Saviour (Lk 22:42; Jn 6:38). The Lord taught His followers to pray, "Our Father…Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…" (Mt 6:9-10), yet rebellious, self-willed man in contrast demands, 'my will, not yours be done'. As we yield, God equips: "May the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing His will" (Heb 13:20-21).

Am I submissive to the Holy Spirit? – Galatians 5:25

Such certainty, however, is not to be assumed lightly. Not being swayed by peer pressure, nor turned from God's path, is a good quality – provided we are certain we are truly in tune with God's directive (Jn 10:27; Rom 8:14). But to stubbornly insist on going against commonsense, His revealed will and the advice of godly believers must be considered, for this is not faithfulness – it is folly. We are to be submissive to the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16,25) and consider the loving advice of others, testing everything against the Word (Acts 17:11).

Refusing Good Counsel

Rehoboam is a sobering example: he rejected the wise counsel of the elders in favour of the flattery of his young friends, and the kingdom was torn from his hand (1 Kgs 12:6-19). Scripture warns, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise" (Prov 12:15), and "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety" (Prov 11:14). God promises to guide the yielded heart – "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which you shall go" – but pleads, "be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding" (Ps 32:8-9). The Israelites "refused to hearken…pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears" (Zech 7:11); Stephen charged his hearers as "stiffnecked…[who] do always resist the Holy Ghost" (Acts 7:51). May we rather have soft, responsive hearts: "To day if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts" (Heb 3:15).

Do I receive counsel, or resist it? – Proverbs 12:15

Reflection and Application:

Ask God to expose one area where you are insisting on your own way, and surrender it to Him in prayer today.
Memorise Lk 22:42 (Not my will, but yours [God] be done) and speak it aloud whenever your will and God's Word collide.
Before your next significant decision, ask whether you have truly sought God's wisdom, or are simply justifying what you already want.
Invite correction from a mature believer, and receive it thankfully rather than bristling.