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.(n.) One's own will, esp. when opposed to that of others; obstinacy.SELF-WILL

self-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

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2588.htm - 7k7522. 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 ...
/hebrew/7522.htm - 6k

The End of Self-Will
... THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL THE END OF SELF-WILL. 'Now the Philistines fought
against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of self-will.htm

Of the Renunciation of Self Will
... THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE: THE FIRST BOOK CHAPTER XIV. OF
THE RENUNCIATION OF SELF WILL. From this obedience there ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xiv of the renunciation.htm

Heretics are Self-Condemned Heresy is Self-Will, Whilst Faith is ...
... Chapter VI."Heretics are Self-Condemned Heresy is Self-Will, Whilst Faith is Submission
of Our Will to the Divine Authority. The Heresy of Apelles. ...
/.../chapter vi heretics are self-condemned heresy.htm

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. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to the venerable religious brother.htm

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 their self-will ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother william of england.htm

How are Your Ear Connections?
... One reason is self-will. People do not like to be told what to do. ... God's government
demands complete surrender of self-will and must of necessity do so. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-nine how are your.htm

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." See self-will, the first-born of ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 123 the deceitfulness of.htm

To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... The danger of spiritual self- will forms indeed one of those recurring themes which
pervade her letters like the motifs of Wagnerian music"ever the same, yet ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to monna agnese who was.htm

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 own self-will. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiv 1 cor iv.htm

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 is self-will. ...
/.../naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-one being easily entreated.htm

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
/s/self-will.htm - 8k

Selfwill (2 Occurrences)
... self-wil' (ratson; authades): Found once in the Old Testament (Genesis 49:6, "In
their self-will they hocked an ox") in the death song ...Selfwill (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/selfwill.htm - 8k

Self-surrender
Self-surrender. Selfsurrender, Self-surrender. Selfwill . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia ... Selfsurrender, Self-surrender. Selfwill . Reference Bible.
/s/self-surrender.htm - 17k

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 their self-will they hocked an ...
/o/oxen.htm - 38k

Lamed (2 Occurrences)
... My glory, don't be united to their assembly; for in their anger they killed
men. In their self-will they hamstrung cattle. (See NAS). ...
/l/lamed.htm - 7k

Eradicated (3 Occurrences)
... Unto their assembly be not united, O mine honour; For in their anger they slew
a man, And in their self-will eradicated a prince. (YLT). ...
/e/eradicated.htm - 7k

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 their self-will they digged ...
/d/digged.htm - 18k

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 stubborn self-will. ...
/p/profligacy.htm - 8k

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 stubborn self-will. ...
/p/profligate.htm - 7k

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 stubborn self-will. ...
/s/stubborn.htm - 18k

What is the god of self? | GotQuestions.org

What are some modern forms of idolatry? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say that would apply to selfie culture? | GotQuestions.org

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