TheosGuy

The Apostle Paul warned us of a future time that would come where men would turn from sound doctrine and follow their own lustful self-will. To a large extent self-will has always been a problem for the human race. It’s a wonder why man seems to be in love with the idea of human free will, as human self-will has only caused problems for humanity. As a Christian, I only want my Lord’s will, not my will. The following is a short outline, Self-Will¹ from F.E. Marsh, on the devastation of self-will.

1. Self-will turned Paradise into a desert. It has been well said, “My will and not Thine be done, turned Paradise into a desert. Thy will and not Mine be done, turned a desert into a Paradise.” (Romans 5:1)
2. Self-will is the mother of sin. This is illustrated in Cain, when he in self-will came to God in his own way instead of God’s way, and was jealous because Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and his was rejected, which jealousy led him on to kill his brother (Jude 11).
3. Self-will is the forerunner of disaster. Lot chose the well-watered plain of Sodom, and then soon after was found in Sodom, but he lost all he had in Sodom, and only escaped with his life (Gen 13:10).
4. Self-will shuts out from blessing. Moses struck the rock twice when God told him to speak to it, and was shut out of the promised land in consequence (Num 20:11-12).
5. Self-will brings punishment. King Saul lost his kingdom and the Holy Spirit through consulting his own will in opposition to God’s word, when the latter told him to destroy all the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:23).
6. Self-will brings injury to others. Peter acted on his own authority when he cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest (Luke 22:50).
7. Self-will means loss of blessing. The prodigal son found the difference between the swine troughs and the father’s table, and between the far country and the old homestead. (Luke 15:16-17)

1. 500 Bible Readings, Marsh, F.E., (London: Marshall Brothers, 1897). Reading no. 347.

Tags: Marsh, Theology