2 John 1:8 (ESV)
⁸ Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

Keeping watch of ourselves is a very common exhortation in scripture. This week I want to examine some fundamental areas where we should apply this prudent petition from the Word of God. Let us begin by looking at the importance of monitoring our wills.

Whose will do you follow the closest in life? The majority of people in the world put their own will before anyone else’s; but, as Christians, we should be different. Our way of life should consist of always putting the will of God first, even if it is contrary to our own. Jesus serves as our ultimate example of this.

Matthew 26:39 (ESV)
³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Jesus always put the will of God first, even if it meant dying. This was not something Jesus just decided to do in the garden of Gethsemane; it was characteristic of His entire life. He once said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34).

Are you following in the steps of Jesus? Am I? We all need to ask ourselves this question from time to time because it is easy, even for Christians, to slip into a lifestyle that consists of putting our own will first. This is why it is so important that we keep watch of our wills. It is not uncommon for people to put their will before everyone else’s, even God’s, without even knowing that they are doing so. Sometimes the last person to acknowledge selfishness is the most selfish person. Monitoring ourselves closely is a good way to overcome this problem.

Watching our wills is not the entire answer. It simply puts us into a position to do the right thing. We still must determine to do it. Consistently putting the will of God before our own takes determination. The first thing we must do is make sure that we have crucified ourselves.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
²⁰ 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.

Why did Paul subdue his own will in favor of doing the will of God. He made it seem easy, but, of course, putting someone else’s will before our own is never easy. Paul was such a good example of doing so because he had been crucified with Christ. The old man had been put to death and the new man was the one in whom Christ lived. Putting God first was the fruit of Paul being willing to crucify himself.

Are you watching your will closely, making sure it does not surge to the front of your life? Is there evidence in your daily living that you are doing what God would have you to do, rather than what you want to do? Putting God’s will over our own may be hard, but it can be done. Jesus has shown us the way. Let us say with Him, “not as I will, but as you will.”

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.