The Power and Restoration of the Human Will
Summary
### Summary
Tonight's lesson delves into the profound topic of the will of man, exploring its significance from a biblical, philosophical, and theological perspective. The will is man's power to choose between motives, which are reasons or desires that drive our actions. This power of choice is evident from the very beginning of humanity, as illustrated by Eve's decision in Genesis 3:6. Our will is influenced by our reasoning and desires, and it directs our course of action. However, our will is not determined by our motives; rather, it is self-determined. This means that while our motives can persuade us, they do not compel us to act.
The freedom of the will is a crucial aspect of human responsibility. If our will were not free, we would not be responsible for our actions, and concepts like sin, guilt, and the need for atonement would be meaningless. Our will shapes our character, and repeated actions in a given moral direction form a bend in our will, making future actions in that direction easier. This is why it is essential to guide our will with God's Word and our conscience.
Despite the freedom of our will, it has been corrupted by sin. Fallen man's will is set against God, and he cannot reverse his moral state by a single act of the will. However, fallen man can turn his mind and heart to influences that awaken opposite desires, such as the Scriptures or the testimony of believers. True freedom of the will is only restored in Christ, who renews our mind, heart, and will, empowering us to choose rightly and live a life pleasing to God.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Choice: The will is man's power to choose between motives, which are reasons or desires that drive our actions. This power is evident from the very beginning of humanity, as seen in Eve's decision in Genesis 3:6. Our will directs our course of action, and it is essential to guide it with God's Word and our conscience. [01:13]
2. Self-Determined Will: Our will is not determined by our motives; rather, it is self-determined. While our motives can persuade us, they do not compel us to act. This means we are responsible for our actions, and concepts like sin, guilt, and the need for atonement are meaningful. [07:15]
3. Character Formation: Our will shapes our character, and repeated actions in a given moral direction form a bend in our will, making future actions in that direction easier. This is why it is essential to guide our will with God's Word and our conscience. [21:48]
4. Corruption by Sin: Despite the freedom of our will, it has been corrupted by sin. Fallen man's will is set against God, and he cannot reverse his moral state by a single act of the will. However, fallen man can turn his mind and heart to influences that awaken opposite desires, such as the Scriptures or the testimony of believers. [33:56]
5. Restoration in Christ: True freedom of the will is only restored in Christ, who renews our mind, heart, and will, empowering us to choose rightly and live a life pleasing to God. This renewal allows us to live a life marked by righteousness and to strive for holiness. [49:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - The Will of Man: Power to Choose
[02:00] - Motives and Reasoning
[03:36] - Directing Our Course
[04:25] - Example from Genesis
[05:15] - Decision-Making and Conscience
[06:35] - The Role of Scripture
[07:15] - True Freedom of the Will
[10:14] - Responsibility and Sin
[12:46] - Consequences of Denying Free Will
[14:52] - Atonement and Responsibility
[16:12] - Personhood and Accountability
[18:51] - Self-Limited and Self-Conditioned Will
[21:48] - Character Formation
[24:15] - Slavery to Sin or Righteousness
[26:44] - Power of Contrary Choice
[33:56] - Corruption by Sin
[39:48] - Turning to God
[45:52] - Conscience and Freedom
[49:17] - True Freedom in Christ
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 3:6
2. Romans 6:16
3. John 8:36
### Observation Questions
1. What were the three reasons Eve decided to eat the fruit in Genesis 3:6? [04:25]
2. According to Romans 6:16, what are the two types of slavery Paul mentions, and what do they lead to? [23:47]
3. In John 8:36, what does Jesus say about the freedom He offers? [50:25]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Eve's decision in Genesis 3:6 illustrate the concept of the will being influenced by both reasoning and desires? [04:25]
2. What does Romans 6:16 suggest about the relationship between our actions and our character? How does this relate to the idea of being a "slave" to sin or righteousness? [23:47]
3. How does John 8:36 define true freedom, and how is this freedom different from the freedom of the will discussed in the sermon? [50:25]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. What were the motives behind it, and how did your reasoning and desires influence your choice? [04:25]
2. In what ways can you guide your will with God's Word and your conscience to make better decisions in your daily life? [06:35]
3. Think about a habit or behavior that has become easier for you over time. How has repeated action in a given moral direction shaped your character? [21:48]
4. Have you ever felt that your will was corrupted by sin? How did you turn your mind and heart to influences that awakened opposite desires? [33:56]
5. How has your relationship with Christ restored your freedom of the will? Can you share a specific instance where you felt empowered to choose rightly and live a life pleasing to God? [49:17]
6. Are there areas in your life where you feel enslaved to sin? How can you seek Christ's help to break free from these patterns and live in righteousness? [23:47]
7. How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others and honor God in your daily interactions? [33:17]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Choice
The will is man's power to choose between motives, which are reasons or desires that drive our actions. This power is evident from the very beginning of humanity, as seen in Eve's decision in Genesis 3:6. Our will directs our course of action, and it is essential to guide it with God's Word and our conscience. [01:13]
From the very beginning, humanity has been endowed with the power of choice. This ability to choose between different motives and desires is a fundamental aspect of our nature. Eve's decision in Genesis 3:6 exemplifies this power, as she chose to eat the forbidden fruit based on her reasoning and desires. Our will, influenced by our reasoning and desires, directs our actions and shapes our lives. It is crucial to guide our will with God's Word and our conscience to ensure that our choices align with His will.
The power of choice is not just about making decisions; it is about the direction of our lives. Every choice we make, big or small, contributes to the overall trajectory of our lives. By grounding our decisions in the teachings of the Bible and listening to our conscience, we can ensure that our choices lead us closer to God and His purposes for our lives.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. How did you involve God's Word and your conscience in that decision? How might you better align your future choices with God's will?
Day 2: Self-Determined Will
Our will is not determined by our motives; rather, it is self-determined. While our motives can persuade us, they do not compel us to act. This means we are responsible for our actions, and concepts like sin, guilt, and the need for atonement are meaningful. [07:15]
The concept of a self-determined will is foundational to understanding human responsibility. Our motives, which are influenced by our desires and reasoning, can persuade us to act in certain ways, but they do not compel us. This means that we have the ultimate authority over our actions, and we are responsible for the choices we make. This responsibility is what gives meaning to concepts like sin, guilt, and the need for atonement.
If our will were not self-determined, we would not be accountable for our actions. However, because we have the power to choose, we are responsible for the consequences of our choices. This understanding underscores the importance of making decisions that align with God's will and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives.
Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt persuaded by a strong motive but chose differently. What guided your decision, and how did it impact your sense of responsibility and accountability?
Day 3: Character Formation
Our will shapes our character, and repeated actions in a given moral direction form a bend in our will, making future actions in that direction easier. This is why it is essential to guide our will with God's Word and our conscience. [21:48]
The choices we make repeatedly shape our character. When we consistently choose actions that align with a particular moral direction, we form a bend in our will, making it easier to continue in that direction. This process of character formation highlights the importance of guiding our will with God's Word and our conscience. By doing so, we can ensure that our character is shaped in a way that reflects God's values and principles.
Character formation is not an overnight process; it is the result of countless decisions made over time. Each choice we make either strengthens or weakens our moral resolve. By grounding our decisions in the teachings of the Bible and listening to our conscience, we can develop a character that is pleasing to God and reflective of His love and righteousness.
Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."
Reflection: Consider a habit or repeated action in your life. How has it shaped your character? What steps can you take to ensure that your future actions align more closely with God's Word?
Day 4: Corruption by Sin
Despite the freedom of our will, it has been corrupted by sin. Fallen man's will is set against God, and he cannot reverse his moral state by a single act of the will. However, fallen man can turn his mind and heart to influences that awaken opposite desires, such as the Scriptures or the testimony of believers. [33:56]
The freedom of our will is a gift from God, but it has been corrupted by sin. In our fallen state, our will is naturally set against God, and we cannot change our moral condition by a single act of the will. This corruption means that our natural inclinations are often contrary to God's desires for us. However, there is hope. By turning our minds and hearts to influences that awaken opposite desires, such as the Scriptures or the testimony of believers, we can begin to align our will with God's will.
This process of turning to God requires intentionality and effort. It involves immersing ourselves in the Word of God, seeking the counsel of fellow believers, and being open to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Through these means, we can counteract the corruption of sin and move towards a life that is pleasing to God.
Romans 7:18-20 (ESV): "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel the pull of sin. What specific steps can you take to turn your mind and heart towards God's Word and the testimony of believers to counteract this influence?
Day 5: Restoration in Christ
True freedom of the will is only restored in Christ, who renews our mind, heart, and will, empowering us to choose rightly and live a life pleasing to God. This renewal allows us to live a life marked by righteousness and to strive for holiness. [49:17]
True freedom of the will is found only in Christ. Through His redemptive work, Christ renews our mind, heart, and will, empowering us to make choices that are pleasing to God. This renewal is a transformative process that enables us to live a life marked by righteousness and holiness. In Christ, we are no longer bound by the corruption of sin but are free to pursue a life that reflects God's love and grace.
This restoration is not just about making better choices; it is about a complete transformation of our being. Christ's renewal of our mind, heart, and will allows us to align our desires with God's desires and to live in a way that honors Him. By embracing this renewal, we can experience the true freedom that comes from living a life dedicated to God's purposes.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
Reflection: Reflect on the areas of your life where you have experienced Christ's renewal. How has this transformation impacted your choices and your overall direction in life? What steps can you take to continue growing in righteousness and holiness?
Quotes
1. "Will is man's power to choose between motives. Now, motives is a word that basically means reasons. If you've ever watched a crime show or a detective show and maybe a murder has happened, they'll say, what was the murderer's motive? What was his reason for committing this heinous crime, right? The reasoning of our minds. And the desires of our hearts present us with motives. We never act without a motive. We never act without a reason. We have reasons when we do anything." [01:13] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you make a choice, what are some of the things that guides your decision-making? When you exercise your will, what are some of the things that guides your decisions? Consequence is exactly right. We think, what is the effect of this? How much is it going to cost me now? Is it going to cost me later, right? Another example Pastor Casey taught on this last week, and our conscience. Our conscience is that moral judiciary of the soul Pastor talked about last week. That even if you don't have a conscience, you don't have a will." [05:15] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How about God's holy word, right? God's holy word informs our conscience after all. And should not this be part of our decision making, right? To inform our decision when we exercise our will, shouldn't we think about how does this please God? And where do we know what pleases God but the scriptures, right? Scriptures tell us his will for us, that we shouldn't lie, that we shouldn't steal, that we should forbear with one another, that we should love one another, that we should forgive one another, so scripture tells us what pleases God, and that should inform us when we exercise our wills." [06:35] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Man's will is not determined, but self-determined. Some people, for example, in the study of criminology, they'll say that man's will is determined by his upbringing, right? They'll say, you know, he had a rough life, so no wonder he resorted to a life, a life of crime, right? He was underprivileged. He didn't have a good home life, right? Does that necessitate that you're going to turn to a life of crime? No. Have not many people overcome their beginnings and actually thrived, right?" [07:59] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Your will is self-determined. It's determined by you. You make your choices. You can't blame heredity. You can't blame your human nature. You can't blame your lack of resources or even abundance of resources. How you probably know from following K-Sol, there have been people who have claimed that they had to commit a crime because they were born rich, and they were never told no, and they had affluenza, you know? Therefore, they got away with crime all their life, and so now it's embedded in their life, and it's not their fault that they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, right?" [09:35] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is encroaching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it. We're responsible for our actions, right? We're responsible for the attitudes we carry. We're responsible for the dispositions that we have and that we act upon, right? Cain couldn't say, Jealousy overcame me, made me kill Abel. God was warning him right here. If you kill Abel, it's because of your own sin. It's because of your own rebellion. Sin's crouching at the door." [10:55] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Man's will results in man's character. What is your character but the sum of all of your actions? Is it not? Character actually means, in its original etymology, the original meaning of the word, to engrave or to inscribe. It's a word that was used with metal workers who would etch into metal and make ornitations, whether it's on a sword or whether it's on a piece of a jewelry. They would use an etching tool to etch and to permanently shape that metal. Right? Your character results from your will." [22:19] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Conversely, as Christians who praise God, we've had our wills renewed in the image of God. God makes all things new. The more that you confirm yourself in righteousness, the more righteous acts that you do, guess what? The easier it is to commit future righteous acts, right? The easier it is to obey God in the future. You can become so righteous that when you sin, it's an aberration and not the norm. Amen?" [24:15] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Man's will has become corrupted by sin. We're speaking of fallen man here. Fallen man's will has become corrupted by sin. His will is set against God. So his normal course of action is rebellion, right? Sinful humanity is against God. The bend to the sinful will is so constant and settled that man cannot reverse his moral state by a single act of the will. In other words, man can't make himself love God when he is hatred towards God. Remember? Man's will makes his character, right? And a person that's been willing rebellion against God, guess what that's going to make his character? A rebel, right?" [33:56] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "True freedom of the will is only restored in Christ. Indeed, our wills, fallen humanity's will, is degraded. It is both self-limited. It is also damaged goods, so to speak, by sin. But as damaged as it is, it can be renewed. When God renews you as an individual, He renews all of you. He takes away your sin. He renews your mind. He renews your heart. He renews your will. He empowers you to choose rightly. When we are in Christ, our wills are restored to where now we have the freedom to not sin." [49:17] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?