The Will: The mental faculty by which a person decides upon and controls his own actions or those of others. One's determination and direction of intent. That which is inwardly desired or determined. e.g. Elohim's will be done. A person's attitude, inner wish or preference.

The will is undoubtedly the most sacred and private part of a human being; the one region into which we can invite or dismiss all others in the universe. The will directs the thoughts, the words and the actions. The will is like the driver in a motor vehicle or the captain of an ocean liner. In the final analysis it is the will that decides the course a person takes and the destination at which he/she arrives. Let us examine what the Scriptures have to say about the human will.

Man is a free moral agent. He has a free will, the ability to choose good or evil. The exercise of this free choice demonstrates to Elohim and the angels the leanings of the will. Every thought, every word, every action is simply a signal to others as to which way the will is leaning, which way you want to go. Your will is the real you, the inner part of your make-up that matters most, the strategic area of decision which YaHuWaH seeks to influence for good, and the Devil seeks to influence for evil. But the Most High will never force or break your will as Satan does. Instead, with utmost respect for your personal freedom, He seeks to win over your will, to influence you towards good - but always with your consent. For in winning your will (your mature, reasoning, adult allegiance and affection) He will have won all of you. If you give Him permission, He will bless you abundantly without reducing you to a spiritual robot.

2. YaHuWaH 's Choice

Strange as it may seem, the Most High values a person's will (which is the one area of your make-up that is 100% you) far more than a person's intellect, color, physical appearance, talents or social graces: assests which people are usually born with. The will on the other hand is the real you: the cause and effect of your whole character. The will is often referred to in scripture as the 'heart.' In assessing people the Most High first looks at the heart - the will. That is why His choice of people is often bewildering. Man looks on the outward appearance; but YaHuWaH looks on the heart.

3. Our Choice

Even though the Most High has chosen us to be His followers, He does not force His will upon us. We are not turned into walking, talking toys. We still retain the freedom to choose YaHuWaH 's way or Satan's way. This freedom of choice remains with us as long as we live. It is ours. Every one must make the choice between good and evil, between YaHuWaH and Satan. There is no escaping that decision. It is mandatory; and is the first vital factor in life. Along with the people of Israel we must all choose between YaHuWaH and Satan.

No doubt some will say: 'We have chosen YaHuWaH. We have decided to put our faith in Him and to follow Him. Isn't that enough?' Perhaps it is: but to what degree of discipleship do we do this? How do we follow? With what intensity; how far and for how long and to what extent? One might say that this is the second vital factor in a believer's life. It affects his/her spiritual growth. You may be sure that the manner in which you serve the Most High will in the end determine your success or failure. Yes, it is that important.

Wholehearted Discipleship

5. YaHuWaH Understands the Believer's Heart

As mentioned previously, when the word 'heart' in Scripture it usually means the will, the mind, that inner seat of affection and preference which directs the mind, the tongue and the body. The Most High is constantly examining and evaluating our hearts, our wills our preferences. His treatment of us is influenced by what He finds. When He sees a willingness to learn and obey, He opens up the mind to understand truth and empowers the believer to obey it. When He recognizes an unwillingness to obey, He blinds the mind to that particular truth.

In short

The highest form of dedication and service is for a believer in YaHuWaH is to yield his will to the Most High. In effect this means handing over full control to the Almighty. I repeat, by doing so believers do not become machine-like robots. Instead, those who constantly yield their wills to the Most High learn the true values of life. They are, by yielding to Him, exchanging the sinful tendencies of their minds for His perfect will and guidance. What they yield to the Most High is repaid a million-fold with true blessing. This is human discipleship at its best. Note the Savior's words:

7. Benefits of Yielding to the Almighty's Will

Enormous blessings follow those who yield their wills to the Most High. Here are just three of those many benefits:

• A place in the Family of YaHuWaH

  Mark 3:35

  For whosoever shall do the will of YaHuWaH , the same is My brother, and My sister and mother.

   

• Inside information about YaHuWaH 's teachings

  John 7:17

  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of YaHuWaH, or whether I speak of Myself.

   

• Everlasting Life

  1 John 2:17

  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of YaHuWaH abideth for ever.