Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Your mind controls your body, and your will controls your mind. Many people think they can control their will by “willpower,” but usually they fail. (This was Paul’s experience as recorded in Rom. 7:15–21). It is only when we yield the will to God that His power can take over and give us the willpower (and the won’t power!) that we need to be victorious Christians. We surrender our wills to God through disciplined prayer. As we spend time in prayer, we surrender our will to God and pray, with the Lord, “Not my will, but Thy will be done.” We must pray about everything, and let God have His way in everything. I especially pray about those tasks that upset or worry me—and He always sees me through. To have a right relationship with God, we must start the day by yielding to Him our bodies, minds, and wills. 1
Application
- Are you willing to do God’s will, even before He is willing to reveal it to you? So if His revealed will to you is not what you wanted or hoped for, will you try to renegotiate with God, or will you respond joyfully, obediently, and immediately?
- Good is not about my pleasure. Good is about being pleasing to Him. Do you want to please those in the world more than you want to please Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, may your mercies lead me to a place of greater surrender to do Your will.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.