Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: will
What's the difference between I cannot and I will not?
Does "having to do something" change your will to do it? If yes, how?
What role does our will play in our walk of faith?
Let me know what you think!!
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
I am working on a post on what I learning about this...yes even at age 50 I still don't have it down.
ReplyDeleteI can't or I will not....well to me that means I could but I choose not to...can't means I don't have the ability to do it
God says "I will" all through His word...to me He is letting me know how little it has to do with "my will" and how much it has to do with "his will"
Great fanning the flame...since it has been on my heart lately
That 'will' word... it always sends me right back to what God has given us... a free will. We choose. Our will is a strong thing, so often wasted on less than God's best. I WILL means a choice, a determination to do it God's way. I don't hope, think, or maybe... I WILL!
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking on this one!
Another great one, Sharon! I think if we cannot do something, we might be physically unable, spiritually unable, emotionally unable, something prevents us from doing that. If we will not do it, that is our mind/pride saying NO, you can't make me. Does that make sense? I know we definitely have to align our will with God's will if we want our lives to run more smoothly to glorify him! That's hard sometimes, though, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend Sharon!
betty
Can't is in the mind and might feel overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteWill not is a choice. sandie
Great answers this morning!
ReplyDeleteI won't try to improve on them because it has been said so well. Providentially, I went off on a (W)word study this morning for the word "refuse". I won't yak it out since it might make it to the blog on Sunday. We'll see...
Quite convicting to me when I think of some areas which I like to call it "wrestling" that might possibly and probably be better defined as refusing.
Gulp.
Pray.
Do.
Well, when speaking of God asking us to do something, the "can't' question is a bit tricky because even when we physically are unable to do something, God just loves to enable us whether we like it or not! ha ha! But as for the "will" question...that is a choice. It is whether or not we offer ourselves in complete submission to Him. Our answer should always be, "Yes, Lord, I will!!"
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you Sharon! Joan
Blessings Sharon,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, you are very sweet... but you are not short... (per post with Janis). And I came directly to comment without reading previous.
Second, today is my day of praying, praying for you and others, and repeatedly I kept praying "according to Your Will". We say these words but do we really mean it.
Third... your well thought out questions:
(1) cannot= not being able to
will not = not wanting or choosing to, in fact, as bold as it comes across, it emphatically means NO WAY and is from rebellion many times, but not always... :0)
(2) Having to do something, forces me and at times, could change my will to do it. But some times, it is necessary or bends my will just a bit, my attitude may not be as great but I try to surrender as long as, or as far as I'm able
(3)... well, this one brings conviction and many memories of this child with a stubborn will...
but it's been broken many times. It can affect our faith walk, most definitely and is a vital part to surrendering to Jesus as Lord. "not my will, but Thine..." hmmmmmmmm Just like a stubborn mule or a horse needs to be bridled or shoved, the Holy Spirit has often had to do this for me... but He has done this at times ever so gently through my life, and life's circumstances, saying, "Haven't you got this one yet?" At the time, it may have seem tough but looking back, I'd have to say... You're right. I give it to You. Your will for me, not my way, guide me..." Giving God control is better than allowing other's to control you or you controlling others... either way, our will must give way to wisdom!
Yes, another great WORD to fan the flame, and a transition from verb to noun ~ interesting.
On the mends, but did not want to fall further behind.
Love and prayers,
Peggy
Will vs. can means we're talking about obedience here and not abilities. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeletenice post thanks for sharing...God bless you loves from holland..
ReplyDeleteHad to teach this one today - as students did not follow through on an assignment. I teach them a version of Charlotte Mason''s "I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will" in the context of pledges that they make regarding our drama class. They know what they OUGHT to do - personal responsibility - but the break down is always the I WILL follow through part.
ReplyDeleteTruth is - no matter the age, this is always a struggle. I knew I OUGHT NOT to have eaten the cannoli and eclair that was offered me at our afternoon Topsty Turvy Party (instead of Halloween). However, I did not follow through on the I WILL part.
Ate the sweets - had a nasty sugar reaction that made me uncomfortable for a bit. How can I hold those kids accountable to make quality I WILL choices when I buckle under the tyranny of pastry more often than not??
You always pick the WORD - don't you, Sharon!
Joy!
Kathy