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Well A-G, about the Scriptures you presented, in each case of sin, the sinner set his will against God and in each case of obedience, the believer set will in agreement with God -- even, shucks, ESPECIALLY! ;-` in the case of Jesus, who despite admitting to his dreadful paradox of will, set his will to the cross, after setting his face like a flint toward Jerusalem for that purpose. And it was He who decided to come in to the cold, stinking world do all this from Eternity with the Father. Now THAT was WILLFULNESS!!!

I can't seem to find willfulness to be a problem any more than I find that guns are to blame, in the hands of criminals. Moses paradoxically enough, though at times setting his will wrongly, wsa singled out by God for his meekness. I imagine at least in part, this was due to having so much God-given will with which to subordinate himself to God. Such strength of will to choose identifying with slaves over the Pharaoh.

And in the New Testament, who may just be the most willful man described save for Christ Himself? I wouldn't be surprised if it were Paul, who had to be physically removed from the riot in Ephesus and who wrote of "his" gospel. ;-) (The long-lived John may be a contender for that "title" too.) Thank God for those Apostle's great, great willfulness!

I may be biased, since my name is Williams, but I don't think that's it. ;-) I'm not saying that our human will has worth of itself, of course. I'm saying it is of transcendent value, since it is from God, wonderful essense of being created in His image. Wow, I wouldn't ever will to suppress such an expression of God about Himself. That would be "lieing against the truth," to me. :-`

Please let's not allow anyone to stifle our wills, not even oneself! That's not joy. Joy is turning one's will to God in His glory! Passivity is "disgusting," but "conspiring" with God is worshipping in Spirit and in Truth.