Chapter 76—Decision and the Will
Governing Power in Nature of Man—The will is the governing
power in the nature of man, bringing all the other faculties under its
sway. The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the deciding
power which works in the children of men unto obedience to God or
unto disobedience.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:513
(1889).
Everything Depends on Its Right Action—The tempted one
needs to understand the true force of the will. This is the govern-
ing power in the nature of man—the power of decision, of choice.
Everything depends on the right action of the will. Desires for good-
ness and purity are right, as far as they go; but if we stop here, they
avail nothing. Many will go down to ruin while hoping and desiring
to overcome their evil propensities. They do not yield the will to
God. They do not choose to serve Him.—
The Ministry of Healing,
176
(1905).
The Spring of All Actions—Your will is the spring of all your
actions. This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of
man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever
since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but
to the utter ruin and misery of man.
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But the infinite sacrifice of God in giving Jesus, His beloved Son,
to become a sacrifice for sin, enables Him to say, without violating
one principle of His government: “Yield yourself up to Me; give Me
that will; take it from the control of Satan, and I will take possession
of it; then I can work in you to will and to do of My good pleasure.”
When He gives you the mind of Christ, your will becomes as His
will, and your character is transformed to be like Christ’s character.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:515
(1889).
Man’s Will Is Aggressive—The will of man is aggressive and is
constantly striving to bend all things to its purposes. If it is enlisted
on the side of God and right, the fruits of the Spirit will appear in the
life; and God has appointed glory, honor, and peace to every man that
works good.—
The Review and Herald, August 25, 1896
. (HC 153.)
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