"The Human Will"

We are an amazing mix of knowledge, will, and emotions. The Lord knew that the unconscious mind needs supervision! The stifling power of sin is real. Your brain is so good it can handle 5-trillion chemical operations per second. Incredible!

The Apostle Paul respects our competence and says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” - Romans 13:14  We do have a choice to consider something other than self-aggrandizement. It is possible to choose something “good enough” and miss out on the best. To grow up spiritually means we must confront the living temptations of money, sex, and power.

Dallas Willard says there are three dimensions to the human will.

• The Impulsive Will.  We know it as “I want.” Remember Thomas in the Upper Room.  He could not believe the resurrection of Jesus without the tactile experience.  “I want to touch the wounds of Jesus.”
• The Reflective Will.  “I should.”  We have the option of focusing on what is acceptable versus focusing on what it means to be Christ-like.
• The Embodied Will.  “I am.”  The irony of spiritual formation is that it involves body, mind and spirit – that’s where we live!  What sustains us? Not just the faith we share in God’s grace in Jesus Christ but also behavior that is Christ-like.

Thank God for the amazing mix of knowledge, will, and emotions.

Blessings!