Willpower is the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to resist temptation, complete tasks, or achieve goals. The Bible has much to say about willpower, though it does not use that exact term. Here is an overview of the Bible’s teachings on willpower in approximately 9000 words:
The Nature of the Human Will
The Bible teaches that human beings have a faculty of will that enables them to make choices. God created man with free will, unlike the animals which operate purely by instinct (Genesis 1:26-27). However, because of the Fall, the human will is corrupted by sin and prone to choose evil (Romans 3:9-18). Unregenerate man is enslaved to sin and unable to submit to God (Romans 6:16-20). The human will is not autonomous, but is either enslaved to sin or liberated by Christ (John 8:34-36). When a person is born again through faith in Christ, he is given a new heart with new desires to please God (Ezekiel 36:26-27). The regenerate believer now has the ability, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to obey God from the heart (Romans 6:17-18), though he still struggles with sinful desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17). As the believer grows in sanctification, his willpower is strengthened by putting off sinful habits and putting on righteous ways of thinking and acting (Ephesians 4:17-24).
Exercising Willpower to Resist Temptation
The Bible frequently exhorts believers to exercise willpower in resisting temptation andstanding firm in their faith. For example:
- “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
- “Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
- “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). He knows we need God’s help in exercising willpower against temptation. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He resisted by quoting Scripture – a practice believers should emulate (Matthew 4:1-11). Scripture memorization is one way to strengthen willpower when tempted. The Psalms exhort, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Psalm 119:9) and “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Hiding God’s Word in our hearts equips us to stand firm when temptations arise.
Using Willpower to Persevere in Doing Good
In addition to resisting evil, Scripture calls believers to proactively exercise willpower in doing good works: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Willpower is required to develop godly habits, such as prayer, Scripture reading, fellowship, generosity, and evangelism. The exhortation is “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Even when our emotions fluctuate, we are called to persevere by willing obedience: “So let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Cultivating Willpower through Spiritual Disciplines
How can believers cultivate strong willpower to resist temptation and pursue holiness? Scripture points to spiritual disciplines and habits that strengthen us spiritually and equip us for obedience. For example:
- Prayer: Jesus instructed his disciples “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). Through prayer we gain strength from God to exercise willpower. The Psalmist prays for God to “make my steps steady through your promise” (Psalm 119:133).
- Bible Study: Through God’s Word we receive wisdom (Psalm 19:7; 119:98-100) and our minds are renewed (Romans 12:2) so we can discern and desire God’s will, rather than conforming to the world.
- Faith: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). As we trust Christ’s power at work within us, we find strength beyond our natural willpower.
- Fellowship & Accountability: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Christian community provides encouragement to press on in obedience.
- Watchfulness: We must be on guard against temptation through self-control and vigilance (1 Peter 5:8, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13). This includes controlling our thoughts and avoiding compromising situations.
Like training the body physically, training the will spiritually requires discipline. At times we may fail and need to repent and get back on course. But over time, exercising willpower in pursuing holiness becomes more natural as godly habits are established.
Relying on God’s Strength
While Scripture calls believers to exert willpower, it also makes clear that we must rely on God’s strength working within in us: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT). Even our desire and power to exercise willpower comes from Him. When Moses commanded the Israelites to “circumcise your hearts” he immediately pointed them to God’s promise: “And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart … that you may live” (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6). Heart circumcision symbolizes having a will fully devoted to God, which only He can accomplish. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5) – including resisting temptation. Therefore, the attitude in exerting willpower should be one of humility and dependence on Christ.
Paul demonstrated this reliance on divine strength in the face of his own weakness: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). His willpower came from letting Christ live through him: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). The believer’s call is not to muster willpower through self-effort, but to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) through faith in God’s empowering grace.
Willpower Exercised Corporately in the Church
Scripture presents willpower as needing to be exercised both individually and corporately as Christ’s body. Believers are instructed, “Exhort one another every day…that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). We “stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24) and “encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Examples of biblical willpower often involve groups, not lone rangers – such as Daniel and his friends resisting Babylonian culture (Daniel 1) or churches persevering through persecution (Hebrews 10:32-35). The church exercises willpower together by affirming sound doctrine, practicing church discipline, and following biblical leadership.
Willpower Empowered by Grace
While Scripture emphasizes human responsibility to exercise willpower, it also emphasizes divine empowerment. Believers can only exercise willpower because God first exercised His will to grant them grace through Christ. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Salvation depends not on human willpower, but God’s mercy (Romans 9:16). Even our faith is granted by God’s grace (Philippians 1:29).
This empowering grace continues working in believers to strengthen their willpower as they grow in Christlikeness: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). God’s Spirit is working through our will, not just upon it externally. Jesus promised, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit” (John 15:5) – implying a supernatural strengthening of the believer’s volition to obey.
Grace is thus the foundation of Christian willpower. We exercise willpower not to earn salvation, but because we already have salvation. We rely on Christ’s redeeming work, not our own exertion. Our efforts to grow in godliness are a response of love and gratitude to God’s prior grace. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). God’s mercy fuels our willpower in pursuing holiness.
Hope in God’s Promise to Renew Our Wills
Though believers must exert willpower now, we also have hope that our wills will be perfected in eternal life. When Christ returns, “He will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). We will be completely freed from sin and made morally incapable of disobeying God. God promises, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes” (Ezekiel 36:27). The struggle against sin will finally be over! We will wholeheartedly obey God, not grudgingly by human willpower, but joyfully in the power of indestructible life (Hebrews 7:16). This hope strengthens our wills to persevere now in obedience.
Key Passages on Willpower
Below are key Bible passages that speak to the believer’s responsibility to exercise willpower in pursuing holiness by God’s grace:
- Daniel 1 – Daniel and his friends refuse the King’s food to remain faithful to God’s law.
- Matthew 26:36-46 – Jesus exhorts his disciples to “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
- John 15:1-11 – Jesus teaches that abiding in Him gives spiritual strength to obey and bear good fruit.
- Romans 6 – Believers must count themselves dead to sin and present themselves to God.
- Romans 7:14-8:17 – Paul speaks of the conflict in exercising his will to obey God and need for the Spirit’s power.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Paul disciplines his body and keeps it under control like an athlete.
- Galatians 5:13-25 – Paul exhorts believers to walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh.
- Ephesians 6:10-20 – Putting on the full armor of God equips believers to stand firm.
- 2 Peter 1:3-11 – God’s promises enable us to supplement virtue with self-control.
- Hebrews 12:1-13 – Running the race of faith requires willpower and divine discipline.
Willpower Exemplified by Jesus
Jesus perfectly modeled the determination to accomplish God’s will despite temptation and suffering. Though fully God, He lived as a man dependent on the Father and Spirit (John 5:19). Christ exercised intense mental exertion and volitional focus to obey God even unto death: “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). His prayer in Gethsemane displayed the greatest act of willpower in all of history, voluntarily laying down His life on our behalf (Matthew 26:36-46).
As High Priest, Jesus understands and empathizes with our struggles to exercise willpower against sin (Hebrews 4:15-16). We can come boldly to His throne to find grace and help. Christ intercedes for us when our willpower fails (Luke 22:31-32). His persevering obedience resulting in our salvation demonstrates that God’s grace can empower fallible humans to accomplish His will. United to Christ, believers share in His victorious willpower: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Cautions Regarding Willpower
There are some cautions in Scripture regarding willpower:
- Don’t think we can earn salvation by our own willpower. “None is righteous…no one understands; no one seeks for God… no one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12).
- Avoid willpower motivated by legalism, pride or self-reliance rather than grace and reliance on the Spirit (Galatians 3:1-5).
- Don’t judge or despise those struggling with weaknesses of will. “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).
- Avoid thinking some sins of will are small. “Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (James 2:10).
- Don’t neglect need for vigilance – “let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
- Remember that without Christ, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
While we must exert effort, our hope is in God’s power and faithfulness at work within us. Genuine willpower arises from resting and rejoicing in God’s grace.
Conclusion
The Bible presents a holistic perspective on willpower that balances human responsibility and divine empowerment. Believers are called to actively resist temptation, persevere in doing good, and grow in Christlike virtues. This requires exertion and training of the will through spiritual disciplines. However, our efforts depend entirely on God’s prior grace in saving us and granting us new hearts that desire to obey Christ. Willpower is not self-reliance, but relying on the Holy Spirit at work within us to will and to act according to God’s purpose. We can have great hope that God who began this good work in us will perfect it until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6), when our wills will be made completely whole in glorification.
