The Oxford Languages Dictionary defines “free will” as the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate, the ability to act at one’s own discretion. Wikipedia defines free will as “the notional capacity or ability to choose between different possible courses of action unimpeded. Free will is closely linked to moral responsibility, praise, culpability, sin, and other judgments that apply only to freely chosen actions.” Another view of the question is answered differently. “It is clear why theologians are troubled by the challenge of foreknowledge and free will. Most religions insist that God has given human beings free will and thus human beings can choose right from wrong, and that (in some religions at least) wrongful acts are sinful and worthy of divine punishment, while good acts are righteous and worthy of divine reward. But many of these same religions will also insist that God is omniscient, that is, God knows everything (and thus has perfect foreknowledge). To deny either of these claims – that human beings have free will or that God is omniscient – amounts to heresy. Yet, on the face of it, each of these two claims appears to contradict the other.” (Swartz, n.d.)
When we start talking about God and his powers, we sometimes try to come up with an idea and then search for scripture to support our beliefs. If we do things correctly and research honestly, we should read the scriptures and formulate our ideas. We have to ask about the power and authority of God. There is no dispute that God is the most powerful. But theologists ask if God chose to limit his authority on Earth. The theologian could argue that God intentionally created the idea of free will in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 1:26-28 states, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion overthe fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female, He created them. Then God blessed them, and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth.” When God gave man dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, the entire Earth, and every creeping thing that creeps on the Earth, God made man responsible for what happened on Earth? We have talked about what a colossal responsibility God gave us to have dominion over everything. Is this where He intentionally self-imposed a limitation on His authority. There is absolutely no doubt that God has the power and authority, but did he create free will and just not name it at that time? Once God gave dominion and made man responsible, it became necessary for man to ask God to intervene on man’s behalf. We should pay special attention to the fact that God allows us to call upon him for help. In Psalms 89:34, God tells us that His word will not be broken nor alter what has gone out of his mouth. God goes on to say in this passage that he will never change till the end of times. In Genesis, He can no longer step into the daily affairs of man without violating his own words.
Interestingly, God is almighty, all-knowing, most powerful, and has complete authority over everything. Still, God does not choose to control our every minute and every decision. In Job, God decides to not oppress or crush his enemies. God shows His ability to exercise restraint in Isaiah 42:14. God could step in at any time and defend against the people of Babylon. But God allowed their abuse of free will and that they were harming other people. God has a lot of faith and love for us to give us the power to decide rather than a predetermined fate. The Bible teaches us that we are made in His image with qualities like love, understanding, and faith. He allows us to decide our relationships and not depend on instinct. Deuteronomy 30:19 wants us to listen to God and always choose a happy and productive life. Free will give man the opportunity to make good and Godly decisions. Unfortunately, it can be argued that man is inherently sinful, meaning people are more naturally evil than good. The devil is always working overtime to help us make bad decisions. The Bible tells us that if we want to be successful, it is left up to us in our hard work and faith. We can choose to do well, or we can choose to fail. Ecclesiastes and Proverbs describe these choices. Free will is a great and wonderful gift that allows us to love and follow God. Matthew 22:37 gives us a choice to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves. Unfortunately, many of us may choose to love one or two but never all three, as described in Mathew.
It seems ironic that many reputable scholars will argue that the words free will are not found in the Bible. The Bible Study Tool group staff tells us there are eighteen times where free will is referred to in the Bible but not mentioned by name. In John 7:17, we are told that if anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether he is speaking on his authority. As early as Genesis 2, God commanded man to make decisions based on God’s direction or that we will surely die. In the Garden of Eden, the devil was present to persuade Eve to make a wrong decision. She had the opportunity to not eat the forbidden fruit, and Adam had the opportunity to tell God the truth. But both chose to allow the devil to make the decision for them.
Free will has been a topic of debate since the beginning. Free will, a consistent issue in the Bible, also raised interest with other scholars. Aristotle said free will and moral responsibility are determined by our character. Plato’s account is that we only exercise free will by consciously choosing to be good over naturally succumbing to evil. Some modern psychologists are not sure free will exists. “So, we are left pretty much where we started. Whether or not humans have free will is a question that philosophers have debated for centuries, and they will likely continue to do so. Psychology can provide insights into how free will—or at least a belief in its existence—might work. Still, beyond that, we likely cannot verify or invalidate its existence. What is important, however, is that we treat each other (and ourselves) as self-determined beings whose thoughts and feelings are important.” (Schwartz, 2019)”Free will is the power or capacity of a human being for self-direction. The function of the will is to be inclined or disposed toward an idea or action. The concept of free will thus suggests that inclinations, dispositions, thoughts, and actions are not determined entirely by forces over which people have no independent directing influence. Free will is generally seen as necessary for moral action and responsibility and is implied by much of our everyday experience, in which we are conscious of having the power to do or forbear. However, it has often been dismissed as illusory by advocates of determinism, who hold that all occurrences, including human actions, are predetermined.” (Staff, 2023)
Free will is a gift or curse, depending on how you live your life and make your decisions. Deciding to follow God and deny the devil is truly a blessing. However, free will is a curse if a person chooses to follow the evil ways the devil provides. James 1:5 reminds us that if you lack wisdom, ask God for help, and he will give guidance generously without reproach. Even though God gave us free will to act without his involvement, he still invites us and wants us to ask for his help and involvement. First Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “No temptation that is not common to man has overtaken you. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. Still, with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” We should take time, be sure in our decisions, and practice our free will surely and adequately. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that man’s heart plans our way, but God establishes our steps.
Schwartz, S. (2019, 11 13). Psychology Today. Retrieved from Do We Have Free Will?: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/proceed-your-own-risk/201311/do-we-have-free-will
Staff. (2023). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved from Free Will: https://dictionary.apa.org/free-will
Swartz, N. (n.d.). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from Foreknowledge and Free Will: https://iep.utm.edu/foreknow/