Just Because I Want It Doesn't Mean God Wills It
When Our Will Conflicts With God's Will
Series: The Will of God for the World
Today's Scripture
Genesis 3:1–21; Luke 22:42; Romans 5:12–19
“Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” — Luke 22:42 (KJV)
Today's truth: God giving us the freedom to choose does not mean every choice reflects His will.
Not My Will, but Yours
Yesterday, we remembered that before there was sin, there was purpose. God created humanity in His image and entrusted people with meaningful responsibility. But Genesis 3 reveals what happens when human desire takes priority over God's instruction.
Freedom does not eliminate responsibility
God gave Adam and Eve freedom within His good creation, along with a clear boundary. The serpent questioned God's words and presented disobedience as something desirable. The temptation was not merely to eat fruit; it was to place human judgment above what God had said.
We face the same question when an opportunity looks attractive, a decision feels right, or a desire becomes urgent: Does this agree with God's Word?
What God allows is not always what God approves
Adam and Eve were able to disobey, but their ability to choose did not make disobedience good. Their choice brought shame, fear, broken relationships, and death into the human story. We must not mistake an open door, a strong feeling, or an absence of immediate consequences for God's endorsement.
From Eden to Gethsemane
In Eden, humanity chose its own way. In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). His prayer shows that surrender to the Father can be costly, yet it is the way of faithful obedience.
Romans 5:12–19 contrasts Adam's disobedience with Christ's obedience. Our hope is not that we can undo sin through willpower, but that Jesus Christ has accomplished what we could not. In Him we find forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new way to live.
Today's invitation
Before making the next decision, ask not only, “What do I want?” but also, “What has God said? What honors Him? Am I willing to obey even if the answer is not what I hoped?”
Prayer begins to change when we move from “Lord, bless what I want” to “Father, help me want what You want.”
Might I Have a WORD with You
Watch Pastor Stephän Kirby's Tuesday pastoral message: Just Because I Want It Doesn't Mean God Wills It.
Read the extended pastoral teaching
God did not create humanity without purpose or without the ability to make meaningful choices. Yet the freedom to choose never made every choice wise or righteous. In Genesis 3, the serpent tempted Eve to doubt God's Word and imagine that disobedience would bring something better.
The garden reminds us that something may appear attractive and still lead us away from God's direction. When God called, “Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9), the question confronted Adam with where his choice had brought him.
Jesus gives us the greater picture. He entered Gethsemane knowing suffering lay ahead, and He surrendered to the Father: “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Where Adam disobeyed, Christ obeyed. Where sin brought condemnation and death, the grace of God in Christ opens the way to righteousness and life (Romans 5:12–19).
So today, examine your motives, seek wisdom in Scripture, and pray with an obedient heart. God does not promise that surrender will always be easy, but Jesus shows us that surrender is never meaningless.
Love U More Than U Know!
Pastor Stephän Kirby
Reflect on Today's WORD
- Where have I confused what I want with what God has directed?
- Am I treating something God has allowed as though He has approved it?
- What would surrender to God's will look like in one decision today?
Today's Action
Identify one decision before you today. Read the relevant Scripture, pray for wisdom, and take one step that reflects obedience rather than impulse.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us the ability to choose. Forgive us for placing our desires above Your Word. Teach us to recognize the difference between what You allow and what You approve. Give us wisdom to discern Your will and courage to obey. Like Jesus, help us say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” In Jesus' name, Amen.
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