Holiness and our Wills

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”

We’ve discussed at length the need for holiness as it relates to our conviction and commitment, perseverance and discipline, and even our very spirit. Through it all, the will has been implied. Ultimately, our will…desire…lies at the heart of each choice: sin or obey. So, outside of the Holy Spirit, the will may be the most important determiner of our moral destiny…of our holiness or lack thereof.

So, what determines our will?

Let’s review the definition of “heart” from several weeks ago. In general, it refers biblically to the mind, emotions, and conscience working together to motivate and determine our actions. All of these faculties are good, given to us by God, but they are also corrupted because of the fall.

How do we see the mind corrupted?

How do we see the emotions corrupted?

How do we see our consciences corrupted?

We tend to underestimate the emotions — they get the upper hand over the mind and conscience, drawing away our reason and leading us away from submission to God.

The will bends to whatever exerts the most amount of force on it!

Consider the forces that might act upon our wills:

Eph.2:2 “in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.” Spiritual warfare and the subtle suggestions of Satan.

James 1:14 “But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.” The evil enticements of our own sinful nature.

Regardless, we must pay attention to what enters. Prov.4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.”

It may seem like we start rehashing points, but that’s because they’re so fundamental in our spiritual lives.

Guard our minds/wills by giving priority to biblical application.

Determine the difference between what is right and what is wanted. Remember Eve in Gen.3:6 “The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

Enjoy God’s creation, but be spiritually prudent.

Set your desires on the things of the Spirit (Col.3:1 “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”; Psalm 1:2 “Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.”; Ps.40:8 “I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.”)

Remember that this is a discipline, not a convenience. I don’t need motivation; I need discipline.

What’s wrong with relying solely on motivation? Is motivation a good thing? What’s more important?

God works in us to create the desire. However, if the desire isn’t fed, then what good is it? Create a way to feed the desire and watch the will grow. After all, the will bends to whatever exerts the most force on it!