Self-will, defined as the obstinate adherence to one's own desires and inclinations, often in defiance of divine authority, is a recurring theme in the Bible. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the consequences of self-will, emphasizing the importance of submission to God's will.

Old Testament Examples:

1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3): The first instance of self-will is found in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve's decision to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, despite God's explicit command, resulted in the fall of man. Their self-will led to the introduction of sin and death into the world, as well as their expulsion from the garden. "To Adam He said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life'" (Genesis 3:17).

2. Korah's Rebellion (Numbers 16): Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, driven by self-will, challenged Moses' leadership, questioning his authority appointed by God. Their rebellion resulted in divine judgment, as the earth opened up and swallowed them and their households. "The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions" (Numbers 16:32).

3. Saul's Disobedience (1 Samuel 15): King Saul's self-will is evident when he disobeys God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions. Instead, Saul spares King Agag and the best of the livestock. As a result, God rejects Saul as king. "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king" (1 Samuel 15:23).

New Testament Teachings:

1. The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21): Jesus tells the parable of a rich man whose self-will leads him to store up earthly treasures without regard for God. His life is demanded of him that very night, illustrating the futility of self-centered plans. "But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’" (Luke 12:20).

2. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32): The younger son, driven by self-will, demands his inheritance and squanders it in reckless living. His actions lead to destitution and despair, highlighting the consequences of living apart from the father's guidance. "After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need" (Luke 15:14).

3. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): This couple's self-will is demonstrated in their deceitful attempt to withhold part of the proceeds from the sale of their property while claiming to donate the full amount. Their lie to the Holy Spirit results in immediate death. "Then Peter said to her, 'How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also'" (Acts 5:9).

Theological Insights:

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of self-will, urging believers to align their desires with God's will. Proverbs 14:12 states, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This underscores the peril of relying on human judgment over divine guidance. The call to surrender self-will is further emphasized in James 4:7 : "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

In summary, the punishment for self-will is often severe, serving as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and submission to God's authority. The biblical narrative consistently illustrates that self-will leads to spiritual and sometimes physical ruin, while submission to God brings blessing and life.Deuteronomy 21:21
And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shall you put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 29:1
He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Nave's Topical Index

To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... The danger of spiritual self- will forms indeed one of those recurring themes which ...
Her son had been beheaded in 1372, in punishment for heinous sin; and now ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to monna agnese who was.htm

Strange Fire
... strange fire.' How much so-called Christian worship glows with self-will or with ...
The swift, terrible punishment does indeed bear marks of the severity of that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/strange fire.htm

The Fall of Judah
... So then, an evil life has its roots in an alienated heart, and the source of
all sin is an obstinate self-will. ... Consider the punishment. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the fall of judah.htm

The Repentance of Believers
... inability to deliver ourselves from that guiltiness or desert of punishment whereof
we ... say nothing of our natural powers,) either the pride, self-will, love of ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 14 the repentance of.htm

Saul Rejected
... word of the Lord.' Further, it is to be remembered that the punishment was but ... away
His sanction and help in all the deeds of our self-will, however unaltered ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 17
... any excellencies of their own but from their teacher's absence, this self-will arose ...
What means, "with a rod?" With punishment, with vengeance: that is, I will ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiv 1 cor iv.htm

To Brother Matteo Di Francesco Tolomei of the Order of the ...
... in truth without any servile fear, who have annulled and killed their self-will,
and are ... for he knew his own wrong-doing, on which followed punishment; so from ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother matteo di francesco.htm

David's Deserts
... this was sin unto David; and like all sin, brought with it its own punishment. ... The
tyrannous self-will, which is too often developed by long success and command ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

The Captivity.
... the prophets, and did everything to draw on himself the punishment of Heaven. ... His
self-will met its deserts; he was taken by Nebuzaradan, the captain who had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Blessing and Cursing
... In thine own self-will, thou hast set thyself to try thy strength against God and
his ... act of ours does of itself sow the seeds of its own punishment; and that ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xi blessing and cursing.htm

What is self-actualization? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being self-conscious? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view self-esteem? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus