THE SIN OF BEING SELF-WILLED

THE SIN OF BEING SELF-WILLED!

Titus 1:7

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

2 Peter 2:9-10

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished:

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

           F. B. Meyer said: “Man’s fall, whatever else it may have been, resulted in a complete change in the centre of his being. He was made in the likeness of God, and God’s nature is absolutely selfless.” Man and woman were naked in the garden without shame and the reason was that they were not “self-conscious” of their nakedness. In fact one of the first questions asked of them was “who told you that you were naked?” They were not aware that their nakedness was a problem until the fall.

           The conflict between Cain and Abel was a problem of self-centeredness. Cain, through the fall, had developed a pertinacious focus upon himself. A self-willed person is spiritually and emotionally immature. A newborn is totally focused upon himself. When he is hungry or wet he cries loudly without regard to the comfort or convenience of anyone else. Later he develops an awareness of mother and then of others. As he matures he learns to be courteous. Too many have failed to develop courtesy as a sign of maturity. They are self-willed.

           Stubbornly and arrogantly insisting on one’s own way is specifically forbidden in bishops or pastors. How can one devote his life to the service of God and others while the centre of his focus is himself? Every character flaw listed in Titus 1:7 is a result of self-will. The anger, the brawling, the drunkenness and the love of money are all a result of a wrong focus. “Self-willed” is translated from the Greek authades which means “self-pleasing, arrogant and overbearing.” The man of God can’t be guilty of this.

           Perhaps an illustration is needed to open a window to our understanding. A cold wind was howling and a chilling rain was beating down when the telephone rang in the home of a doctor. The caller said that his wife needed urgent medical attention. The doctor was understanding. "I'll be glad to come, but my car is being repaired," he said. "Could you come and get me?" There was indignation at the other end of the phone as an angry voice sputtered, "What, in this weather?"

Matt 16:24

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me , let him deny himself, [say no to his wishes and comforts] and take up his cross, and follow me.

Dear Lord, please change the focus of my heart. Help me to think first of you and then of others. AMEN