Topical Encyclopedia
Definition:Self-will refers to the determination to act according to one's own desires and inclinations, often in opposition to divine guidance or authority. It is characterized by stubbornness, pride, and a refusal to submit to God's will.
Biblical Context:Self-will is frequently depicted in the Bible as a negative trait, often leading to sin and separation from God. It is contrasted with submission to God's will, which is portrayed as the path to righteousness and blessing.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, self-will is often associated with rebellion against God. The Israelites frequently exhibited self-will by turning away from God's commandments and pursuing their own desires. In
Deuteronomy 31:27, Moses addresses the Israelites, saying, "For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!"
The account of King Saul is a prominent example of self-will. Saul's disobedience to God's command in
1 Samuel 15, where he spares King Agag and the best of the livestock, demonstrates his self-will. Samuel rebukes Saul, saying, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (
1 Samuel 15:23).
New Testament References:In the New Testament, self-will is addressed in the context of Christian living and the call to follow Christ. Jesus emphasizes the importance of denying oneself and submitting to God's will. In
Matthew 16:24, Jesus instructs His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."
The Apostle Paul warns against self-will in his letters. In
Romans 8:7-8, he writes, "The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God." Here, self-will is equated with living according to the flesh, which is in opposition to living by the Spirit.
Theological Implications:Self-will is seen as a manifestation of human pride and autonomy, which are in direct conflict with the humility and submission required by God. It is a barrier to spiritual growth and maturity, as it resists the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls believers to surrender their self-will and align their desires with God's purposes.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts for self-will and to seek God's guidance in all aspects of life. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers are essential practices for overcoming self-will.
James 4:7-8 offers practical advice: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."
Conclusion:While self-will is a natural human inclination, the Bible consistently calls for its surrender in favor of God's will. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome self-will and live lives that are pleasing to God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) One's own will, esp. when opposed to that of others; obstinacy.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SELF-WILLself-wil' (ratson; authades): Found once in the Old Testament (Genesis 49:6, "In their self-will they hocked an ox") in the death song of Jacob (see HOCK). The idea is found twice in the New Testament in the sense of "pleasing oneself": "not self-willed, not soon angry" (Titus 1:7); and "daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities" (2 Peter 2:10). In all these texts it stands for a false pride, for obstinacy, for "a pertinacious adherence to one's will or wish, especially in opposition to the dictates of wisdom or propriety or the wishes of others."elfare of his neighbor, just as Christ pleased not Himself (Romans 15:3); also to leaders (1 Corinthians 16:16), and to earthly rulers (Romans 13:1).
Henry E. Dosker
Greek
2588. kardia -- heart... Spelling: (kar-dee'-ah) Short Definition: the heart, inner life, intention Definition:
lit: the heart; mind, character, inner
self,
will, intention, center.
...Strong's Hebrew
7522. ratson -- goodwill, favor, acceptance, will... 5), desire (2), desired (1), desires (1), earnestly* (1), favor (17), favorable
(2), good will (1), please (1), pleased (1), pleases (3),
self-
will (1), what
...Library
The End ofSelf-Will
... THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL THE END OFSELF-WILL. 'Now the Philistines fought
against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before...
Of the Renunciation ofSelf Will
... THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE: THE FIRST BOOK CHAPTER XIV. OF
THE RENUNCIATION OFSELF WILL. From this obedience there...
Heretics are Self-Condemned Heresy isSelf-Will, Whilst Faith is...
... Chapter VI."Heretics are Self-Condemned Heresy isSelf-Will, Whilst Faith is Submission
of Our Will to the Divine Authority. The Heresy of Apelles....
To the Venerable Religious, Brother Antonio of Nizza, of the Order...
... Catherine has few superiors among religious thinkers in the power to trace
self-will to its remotest lairs, in the deeper reaches of personality....
To Brother William of England of the Hermit Brothers of St....
... penance; and that the flesh may not rebel against the reason, they have placed all
their desire rather on mortifying their body than on slaying theirself-will...
How are Your Ear Connections?
... One reason isself-will. People do not like to be told what to do.... God's government
demands complete surrender ofself-will and must of necessity do so....
The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart
... till then undoubtedly "one of the first, if not the first archangel:" "Thou saidst,
I will sit upon the side of the north." Seeself-will, the first-born of...
To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... The danger of spiritualself-will forms indeed one of those recurring themes which
pervade her letters like the motifs of Wagnerian music"ever the same, yet...
1 Cor. Iv. 17
... others, casting down their highmindedness: since the love of preeminence is in fault,
when men abuse the absence of their teacher for their ownself-will....
Being Easily Entreated
... But they must desire it enough to be willing to sacrifice for it all those things
that prevent it. Another thing that hinders isself-will....
Thesaurus
Self-will (2 Occurrences)Self-
will.
Selfwill,
Self-
will. Selfwilled . Noah Webster's Dictionary
... (WEB
KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS).
Selfwill,
Self-
will. Selfwilled . Reference Bible
Selfwill (2 Occurrences)
... self-wil' (ratson; authades): Found once in the Old Testament (Genesis 49:6, "In
theirself-will they hocked an ox") in the death song...Selfwill (2 Occurrences)....
Self-surrender
Self-surrender. Selfsurrender, Self-surrender.Selfwill . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia... Selfsurrender, Self-surrender.Selfwill . Reference Bible.
Oxen (176 Occurrences)
... come not thou into their council; Unto their assembly, my glory, be not thou united;
For in their anger they slew a man, And in theirself-will they hocked an...
Lamed (2 Occurrences)
... My glory, don't be united to their assembly; for in their anger they killed
men. In theirself-will they hamstrung cattle. (See NAS)....
Eradicated (3 Occurrences)
... Unto their assembly be not united, O mine honour; For in their anger they slew
a man, And in theirself-will eradicated a prince. (YLT)....
Digged (37 Occurrences)
... come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united:
for in their anger they slew a man, and in theirself-will they digged...
Profligacy (5 Occurrences)
... of blameless life, true to his one wife, having children who are themselves believers
and are free from every reproach of profligacy or of stubbornself-will....
Profligate (3 Occurrences)
... of blameless life, true to his one wife, having children who are themselves believers
and are free from every reproach of profligacy or of stubbornself-will....
Stubborn (40 Occurrences)
... of blameless life, true to his one wife, having children who are themselves believers
and are free from every reproach of profligacy or of stubbornself-will....
Resources
What is the god of self? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some modern forms of idolatry? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say that would apply to selfie culture? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
