Willpower is useless for the Believer because our will is sinful.
1. My will is connected to my flesh.
Rom. 7:18-20 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me;”
2. Things the Holy Spirit would have me do are redirected by my flesh.
“but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not:”
3. My flesh, in turn, leads me to do that which “feels” good.
“but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
4. Even as Believers, our sin nature is still present with us.
“Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
LESSON - Jesus gave us the solution in Mt. 27:41 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” We must remain spiritually vigilant to avoid temptation that would appeal to our flesh. We also must maintain a close fellowship with God, remaining sensitive to His Holy Spirit through scripture reading and prayer. Remember that He who dwells within us is greater than our flesh, the world, or Satan. 1 Jn. 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
~Mike