What to do With a Weak-Will?

“For among them are those who worm their way into women’s households and capture idle women burdened down with sins, led along by a variety of passions, always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:6-7 (HCSB)

I don’t know about you, but something about the description of this woman above sobers me. I’ve known those who I might consider to be idle and those who are always following a new passion, yet not passionate about the one thing that really matters in life…following Jesus. But, the part of this verse that really stops me in my tracks is “always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”. I don’t want to be this woman! The woman who looks in the mirror of God’s word and doesn’t change a thing. The woman who doesn’t heed these words in James, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Storing up knowledge makes us spiritual hoarders rendering everything we possess worthless. The word of God is powerful and alive in us when it is applied. If you’ve attended your fair share of Bible studies, you may remember that one woman who was always asking questions, but never truly wanting to hear and apply the answers.  Her agenda was obvious, but the challenge here for me is am I doing what I am hearing and letting God mature me in the process? We come to a knowledge of the truth as we do it, pure and simple. No short cuts.

So how can we avoid being weak-willed women?  If you are not weak-willed altogether you probably have areas or an area that causes you struggle. As long as we are believers living on this earth our spirit is destined and sealed for heaven, but our flesh is ready to drag us back as close to Hell as it can. How do we press forward and ward off a weak will?

1.    Tell the truth to the Truth. First, we’ve got to call a spade a spade. Examine your life to assess where you are weak-willed. Where are you swayed by evil desires? In Ephesians 5:13 we are encouraged to bring everything into the light and that everything illuminated becomes light. Start dialoguing with God about your area of struggle in prayer. You can’t face what you don’t own. The truth will set you free.

2.    Ask God for wisdom. In James 1:5 we are encouraged, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” The NIV uses the word gullible instead of idle in 2 Timothy 3:6. Agree with God on areas of struggle in which you may be gullible and ask for wisdom believing that God is more than able and willing to help you overcome as you cooperate with what you know to be true in His word. 

3.    Apply the Word and abstain from the world. As mentioned above, we experience the power of God’s Word as we step out and apply it, by actually doing it. In the book of Ephesians the word of God is likened to a sword, which is an offensive weapon. When faced with temptation in the desert, Jesus used that same sword to fight off the enemies’ temptations.  We can arm ourselves with Scripture to help us stand firm against the temptations the enemy sends our way. As we learn the truth we’ll begin to recognize the lies, patterns and philosophies of this world. In Colossians 2:8 we are encouraged to “see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than Christ.” In addition to this, Paul admonishes us “not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed (changed from within) by the renewing of …” (Romans 12:2) our minds.  As we begin to separate truth from the lies we may need to create new boundary lines in our lives.  The Holy Spirit can help us to adapt these boundary lines to our personal needs. Maybe you need boundary lines, where others don’t to stay pure? Be willing to steer clear of your pitfalls and avoid playing around the edges.

4.    Pray keeping your eyes on the prize. Along with taking up our sword in Ephesians 6 we are also encouraged to take the helmet of salvation and to pray at all times in the Spirit. When you feel weakness coming on pray! Ask God to bring His word to mind. Have Scripture written on notecards ready to speak into your circumstances. As you pray and do your best to stand firm, keep in mind that one day we will live eternally in heaven where God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ!  We can fight the good fight now knowing that one day we’ll be in a place where there is no death, grief, sorrow, tears, or pain. Hallelujah! Our day is coming!

As we begin to walk out the process above we’ll see our strength give way to His. Blurry boundary lines will become clearer and we’ll experience the safety and joy that comes with walking in the center of Christ’s will for our lives. Our resolution to be honest with God, and seek His help will allow Him to fortify and strengthen our wills. Finally, our perseverance will pay off. James 1:4 says it this way.  “Let perseverance finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”