Will

​In the course of life, I've learned that my Mind daily receives an unwelcome visitor. On some days he keeps to himself and is hardly noticeable.  On other days he's obnoxious, devious and overbearing.  Sometimes he boasts while at other times he is smooth and spellbinding. The Mind's manager, Will, knows not to underestimate his ploys.  Even still he inexplicably will entertain this unsavory fellow or give him the room with the largest view.  Until the Owner returns, he cannot throw him out for he retains his own hidden pass key. 

He goes wherever I go.  In some ways he's more persistent than a shadow.  His name is Temptation.  His goal is to pulverize my Will and yours as well.  For he also lives inside you. 

There is within us a giant urge to be good.  We want God to take pleasure in our thoughts and actions, conduct and attitude.  However, when we are not pleasing Him it is incredibly simple to manufacture excuses.  Abnegation is not easy.  But our will cannot be overcome by temptation unless we give in.  The Bible encourages us with this truth—“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). 
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If what you are doing is wrong, don’t blame God. Don’t fasten the fault on how you were raised.  Don’t hide behind circumstances or suggest that others are responsible for your behavior. Get off the sin-stained couch of rationalization and take responsibility for that which shapes your every decision—your will!  Are you having sex with someone to whom you are not married?  Are you stealing to make ends meet?  Are you cheating to get ahead?  Are you lying so others think of you more favorably?  Do you gossip because it feels good?  Do you ignore meeting with God because you are too busy? 
 
Meditation
Psalm 40:8--I delight to do Your will, my God; Your instruction lives within me.
 
King David knew what sins he was capable of committing. He wisely prayed, “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:10).  Are you weary of climbing the carnal mountain range?  Seek God’s will.  Let Him lead you to level ground.  If your will is to do His will, His will is to help you.  Perhaps the way to level ground is to start down the path of confession. 
 “O God, I’m sorry for resisting your will.  My desire is to obey You now and forever now. Lead on O Awesome Father!”  
 
Inspiration
If God has not sanctified us and made us blameless, there is only one reason why He has not—we do not want Him to.—Oswald Chambers inNow Is It Possible
 
©1999 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)