The term "wilful" in the context of the Bible often refers to a deliberate and intentional choice to act in a manner that is contrary to God's commands or guidance. It is associated with a conscious decision to pursue one's own desires, often in defiance of divine authority or moral law. This concept is frequently addressed in Scripture, highlighting the spiritual and moral implications of such behavior.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, wilfulness is often depicted as a form of rebellion against God. The Israelites, for example, are frequently described as a "stiff-necked people" (Exodus 32:9), indicating their stubborn and wilful nature in resisting God's commands. This wilfulness is seen as a root cause of their repeated disobedience and idolatry, leading to various consequences, including exile and divine judgment.

Proverbs 21:29 states, "A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure." Here, the "wicked man" is characterized by a wilful determination to pursue evil, contrasting with the upright who seeks to align with God's will.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, wilfulness is addressed in the context of sin and the human heart's inclination to resist God's truth. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:21-22 , describes those who, "although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." This passage highlights the wilful rejection of God's revelation, leading to moral and spiritual decay.

Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, "If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries." This passage underscores the seriousness of wilful sin, emphasizing the consequences of knowingly and intentionally rejecting the grace offered through Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, wilfulness is seen as a manifestation of human pride and self-reliance, often leading individuals away from God's intended path. It is a condition of the heart that resists submission to God's authority and seeks autonomy apart from divine guidance. This attitude is contrary to the biblical call for humility, repentance, and obedience.

The Bible consistently calls believers to surrender their wilful tendencies and align their desires with God's will. James 4:7 exhorts, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This submission is seen as a crucial step in overcoming wilfulness and living a life that honors God.

Practical Application

In practical terms, addressing wilfulness involves cultivating a heart of humility and a willingness to seek God's guidance in all aspects of life. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers are essential practices in overcoming wilful tendencies. By aligning one's will with God's, believers can experience spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with the Creator.

Wilfulness, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of self-centeredness and the importance of living in accordance with God's will. Through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to forsake wilful ways and pursue a life of obedience and faithfulness.(n.) Alt. of Wilfulness.3900. paraptoma -- a false step, a trespass
... From parapipto; a side-slip (lapse or deviation), ie (unintentional) error or
(wilful) transgression -- fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3900.htm - 7k

The Wilful King
... Names And Titles of the Antichrist 23. The Wilful King. "And the King shall
do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/23 the wilful king.htm

Concerning Wilful Murderers Let them Remain Prostrators; but at ...
... Canon XXII. Concerning wilful murderers let them remain prostrators; but
at the end of life let them? Concerning wilful murderers ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxii concerning wilful murderers.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... following Heads. 1. IT is required of a Christian, who hath been a wilful
Sinner, that he renounce, and forsake, his Sins. II. IT ...
/.../sermon iii luke x the.htm

St. James ii. 10
... As to the first of these; I then shewed you that one who allows himself in the wilful
Neglect of any known Duty, or in the wilful Commission of any known Sin ...
/.../sermon vii st james ii.htm

How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... What do thy expressions discover but a wilful neglect of thy own salvation?
as ... But alas! the common cause is wilful negligence. Men ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter viii how to discern.htm

Hebrews x. 26, 27
... upon which Almighty God will finally pardon, accept, and justify, those professed
Christians, who have been, in any Sense, or any Degree, wilful Sinners: and ...
/.../sermon viii hebrews x 26.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... That it is required of Christians who have been wilful Sinners, sincerely to endeavour
for the future to practise the whole Will of God, any ways made known to ...
/.../sermon iv luke x the.htm

Out of the Deep of Fear and Anxiety.
... But you must claim and use it, because you are meant not merely to be God's wilful,
ignorant, selfish child, obeying Him from fear of the rod, but to be His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/iii out of the deep.htm

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... It was by his wilful rebellion against God "that sin entered into the world." "By
one man's disobedience," as the apostle observes, the many, as many as were ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/wesley gods love to.htm

Directions to Church-Wardens, &C.
... forced to do it by the Ordinary in his visitations, on his having notice of the
thing; and, it they refuse so to do, be proceeded against as wilful breakers of ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/directions to church-wardens &c.htm

Wilful (2 Occurrences)
... (n.) Alt. of Wilfulness. Multi-Version Concordance Wilful (2 Occurrences). ... Proverbs
7:11 She is clamorous and wilful; Her feet abide not in her house: (ASV). ...
/w/wilful.htm - 7k

Wiles (3 Occurrences)

/w/wiles.htm - 7k

Wilfully (2 Occurrences)

/w/wilfully.htm - 7k

Riotous (10 Occurrences)
... or insubordinate -- (YLT). Proverbs 7:11 She is clamorous and wilful; Her
feet abide not in her house: (See JPS). Proverbs 9:13 The ...
/r/riotous.htm - 9k

Murder (41 Occurrences)
...Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited
with capital punishment (Numbers 35:16, 18, 21, 31; Leviticus 24:17). ...
/m/murder.htm - 24k

Clamorous (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Clamorous (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 7:11 She is clamorous
and wilful; Her feet abide not in her house: (ASV DBY). ...
/c/clamorous.htm - 7k

Avenger (18 Occurrences)
... premeditated. The case had to be investigated by the authorities of the city,
and the wilful murderer was on no account to be spared. ...
/a/avenger.htm - 17k

Sin (782 Occurrences)
... (3.) "Sin against the Holy Ghost" (qv), or a "sin unto death" (Matthew 12:31,
32; 1 John 5:16), which amounts to a wilful rejection of grace. ...
/s/sin.htm - 82k

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)
... their iniquities. (See NAS NIV). Proverbs 7:11 She is clamorous and wilful;
Her feet abide not in her house: (See JPS NAS). Proverbs 17 ...
/r/rebellious.htm - 26k

Wilful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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