The power of will. This is another formidable weapon that God has given you in your struggle against sin. The enthusiasm of the people is one of the characteristic signs of the end times. Psalm 110:3 says, “Your people shall be willing when You gather Your army.“

I discovered something amazing in Mark 10:

“As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ‘Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’ Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’” Mark 10:17-23

It is verse 20 that struck me the most. This man did not have eternal life. He only had ‘human’ or natural life. But listen closely to what he says: “…Teacher, all these I have kept since I was a boy.” He didn’t have eternal life, yet he had conformed to holiness from a young age. He wasn’t ruined by adultery, murder, or fraud, etc. “All these I have kept since I was young,” he said. By what strength? By the power of his will.

Your will is a force of deliverance, a force of freedom. This man, with his ‘inferior’ life (compared to our superior life), was able to resist theft, control the urge for fraud and falsehood, etc., simply by the operation of his will.

The will is a potential force imparted by God within every living being. It is a force given by God to man for his freedom. It determines your habits. What you wish for is a desire, but what you will implies a decision. Your desires may change, but your decisions are effective. A decision is superior and stronger in its consequences than a mere desire.

Sometimes you say: ‘I don’t want to!’ Fine. But what is your decision? We’ve heard what you don’t want. Now, what do you want? What decision do you make based on what you don’t want?

This man came seeking eternal life. But his will kept him out of the game long before he found what he had come for! Daniel resolved in his heart (he made a decision within himself) not to defile himself. Even hungry lions could not cause him to change his decision by a fraction. He was ready to remain in captivity all his life rather than defile himself (Daniel 1:5). In Genesis 39:9, Joseph shouted to the woman who sought his ruin: “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

Dear friends, the will of man remains supreme in the battle against sin. Your desires are wishes, but your decisions are your choices. God said in Deuteronomy 30:19: “I have set before you life and death. Choose life, so that you may live.”

Your will is the expression of your choice because your will is your decision. He said, “Choose life and you will live.” This means your will is a force on this earth. Jesus said, “Let anyone who desires come.”

No demon can prevent you from coming because it is your will. He didn’t say, “Let anyone who desires pray.” Instead, He said, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).

Your will activates His will. Return to God, and He will return to you. It is your will that determines His. Therefore, if you want to be pure today, no unhealthy spirit from hell will prevail against your will. This man overcame the spirit of adultery, murder, fraud, rebellion, and honored his father and mother from a young age with a natural life. You can do even better with the eternal life received from God.

Your will determines your path. You will not conquer unless you desire to. Your will is your determination and the expression of your decision. It determines your destination. As long as you don’t choose a healthy and righteous life, you will not overcome. Your will for a holy life is crucial in your struggle against sin. Your will puts you into orbit!

It is important to understand that you have a will. It comes from God, and it is strong enough to destroy any attack set against your destiny. If Joseph’s will prevailed, you too will overcome the forces of immorality! If Daniel’s will prevailed against defilement, you will also prevail!

It is time to engage the power of your will in the battle. It is a potential force imparted by God, of which you are the custodian, for your purity, your victory, and all the conquests of life. Engage your will to establish your glorious destiny.

Decide for righteousness and justice, which are recognized by both heaven and hell. In doing so, you will stand tall and admire the victory every day of your life. Your will determines your tomorrow. Purification is a voluntary act supported by the violence of faith. I saw a great prophetic parable in Hebrews 9:16-17, which says:

“For where there is a testament, the death of the testator must be established. For a testament is in force only after men are dead; it has no power while the one who made it is still alive.”

The testament. Someone writes their will, and it cannot be executed until their death, because as long as they live, they remain the owner of all they have written. The testament, or will, is a document that becomes enforceable and operational only upon the death of the testator. How does this apply to you and me? Paul said in Colossians 3:3:

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

If you are redeemed, it means you are now a dead man. It also means your will is now in force on this earth. You have been crucified with Christ. Though you live now, you live by faith in the Son of God, who died and gave His life for you.

Because you are dead, your will is now in force. You are legally covered to desire anything that comes to mind. As long as it is your will, the path before you will be cleared. Thus, it is your desires that God awaits, for they determine your destination.

If your will is not in place in your fight against sin, you will be a victim. Without your will, all your vows are just empty desires and wishes. But once the power of your will is engaged, everything you want becomes an executable decision immediately. Daniel determined in his heart and prevailed. Joseph made a vow and also prevailed. The young man who met Jesus spoke his will and conquered. If you will, you can!

There are several strategies for rescue. You must firmly grasp them. When you say with all your heart, “No!”, it becomes the expression of your will. Please know that you have the gift of God’s will. Engage this gift now for your total freedom on this earth.

If, for example, you decide to stop beating your wife, there is no way your hand will rise against her without your consent. You had made her your punching bag because that was your will. But if you decide not to beat her anymore, Satan will give up.

If you choose total freedom from the power of immorality, your decision will be recorded and ratified in heaven, and all hell will submit to it. Why?

Because you are a “dead” testator.

This text is an excerpt from the book “WALKING IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE” written by David O. Oyedepo.

We invite you to read the following article: “THE POWER OF CHOICE.”