Self-will, an inherent part of human nature, relentlessly seeks to place self at the center of its own universe, striving to dethrone God and deny justice and mercy to others in pursuit of its own ambitions. This dangerous and destructive sin is a major obstacle to overcoming, as it persistently refuses to acknowledge God's greater will and the remarkable benefits that come from following it. Man's stubbornness in clinging to self-will prevents lasting peace, health, and prosperity. Among the harsher characteristics of self-will are fierceness and cruelty, as seen in the violent, vengeful acts of Simeon and Levi, whose self-willed actions led to a curse and scattering among Israel. Ambition, often admired as a trait of go-getters, is another form of self-will that can lead to frustration and slavery to sin when individuals seek security and prestige through their own efforts, conforming to social status or peer groups. Presumptuousness also manifests as self-will, evident in Israel's defiant attack on the Amorites against God's command, resulting in bitter defeat, and in those who arrogantly assert their own will, dominated by self-interest and inconsiderate of others. A self-willed person is unlikely to listen to advice or act on it, committing a grave sin by refusing to learn God's truth, as seen in the proud people of Ephraim who rejected God's instruction. God does not desire self-willed individuals in His ministry; a minister must not be stubbornly insistent on his own way but must be led by and follow God's will. The opposite of self-will is submission to God's will, which requires obedience, writing God's law in our hearts, resisting satan, the father of pride, and developing true humility. Doing God's will, rather than our own, brings understanding of true doctrine and discernment of truth, re-establishing communion between man and God. God grants us freedom and power, not to act as we please, but to do as He desires, providing security in His will. Apart from His will, we remain unstable and uncertain, like undisciplined children. Ultimately, continuing in God's will offers the supreme benefit of entrance into His glorious Kingdom.

In this world, self-will and self-confidence are often celebrated as paths to success, yet they carry profound dangers. The notion of self-confidence, rooted in the self, breeds a mindset of "what's in it for me" or "I know best," leading to numerous pitfalls. It is frequently confused with true capability, causing individuals to overestimate their abilities, as seen in the Dunning-Kruger Effect where limited skills are masked by inflated self-assurance. This self-centeredness can spiral into anarchy, with every person acting solely for themselves. Moreover, self-confidence bears the bitter fruits of arrogance and hubris, creating a heavy drag on psychological well-being. The life of King Saul exemplifies the destructive nature of self-will. His reign is marked by rash, self-driven actions, ignoring God's guidance. Saul's decisions, such as making a sacrifice without waiting for Samuel, mishandling Jonathan's victory over the Philistines, sparing King Agag against explicit instructions, and consulting the witch of Endor, reflect a continual descent from divine favor. Ultimately, his self-willed path leads to anguish and suicide. In contrast, true confidence stems from faith in God, not from the self. The word confidence, derived from Latin roots meaning "with intense trust," aligns with faith, which is trust in the Lord. Jesus Christ teaches in Luke 9:23 that to follow Him, one must deny oneself, highlighting the rejection of self-will. Scriptures repeatedly warn against trusting in one's own heart, as in Proverbs 28:26, which calls such a person a fool, and urge reliance on the Lord, as in Proverbs 3:5 and Psalm 20:7. Jesus further emphasizes in Matthew 17:19-20 that even faith as small as a mustard seed can achieve the impossible, illustrating the power of godly confidence over self-reliance. The parable in Luke 14:7-11 reinforces this, showing that self-exaltation leads to humiliation, while humility before God results in true honor. Thus, the path away from self-will is one of humility and trust in the Lord, rejecting the arrogance of self-confidence for the strength found in faith.

The concept of self-will permeates our society, as exemplified by the song "My Way," chosen by John McCain for his funeral, reflecting a life of rugged individualism and pride. This song, with its lyrics of carving one's own path and never bowing to others, embodies a massive ego and narcissistic drive, thumbing its nose at tradition and convention. It speaks to a self-centered attitude, bulldozing through life without care for others, a stark contrast to the humility and piety of past generations who focused more on religious concerns at life's end. In the last days, as described in II Timothy 3:1-5, perilous times will come, marked by attitudes of self-love, pride, and a lack of self-control, among other vices. These attitudes, increasingly frequent and intense as the end approaches, reflect a growing willfulness in mankind—obstinately and perversely self-willed, stubbornly doing as one pleases regardless of consequences to self or others. Human will, contrary to God's perfect and righteous will, often leads us into trouble personally, nationally, and globally due to our selfish desires. From the beginning, as seen in Genesis 1:26-28, God created man in His image, endowing humanity with God-like traits and abilities, including dominion and the capacity to think and plan. Yet, Adam and Eve used these gifts in disobedience, and their descendants, save Jesus Christ, have followed suit, resulting in a world of chaos due to sin and self-interest. Our will, the choices and actions we take, is tilted toward evil from birth, driven by selfish desires that grow from infantile to adult forms, always pointed away from God. Scriptures like Psalm 14:1-3 and Psalm 10:3-7 reveal the corrupt nature of human will, where none does good, and the wicked boast in their heart's desire, renouncing God and believing they will not be held accountable. This perverse anti-God stance stems from a deep-seated doubt of judgment, leading people to prioritize self-pleasure over pleasing God, fixated on their own satisfaction and the way of getting rather than giving. Even after conversion, aligning our will with God's remains a struggle, as illustrated in Romans 7:14-23, where Paul describes the war within, succumbing at times to the carnal nature over the godly will. Galatians 5:16-17 and 5:24 further emphasize this conflict between flesh and Spirit, urging us to walk in the Spirit to overcome fleshly lusts and crucify our passions and desires. Romans 12:1-3 offers practical steps to align our will with God's through sacrifice, transformation by renewing the mind, and employing humility, clear-headed thinking, and faith. Sacrifice, as a living act, involves giving up worldly desires and aspirations, while transformation requires active participation in adjusting our thinking to parallel God's. Employing essential attitudes ensures we remain humble, think soberly, and measure our faith against Christ's standard, not others'. Finally, James 4:13-17 teaches that we must always consider God in our plans and actions, recognizing that failing to do known good is sin. This high standard underscores the need to submit our will to His, striving to live and think like God constantly, despite the persistent challenge of our perverse human will.