God is in Control and Man has free will?

[KingGeorge]

Hello guys,

For a long time I've been trying to reconcile these two truths in my mind: God is in control and man has free will. I've read articles stating that our finite minds cannot understand how this is possible, yet we must accept them as twin truths. This doesn't make any sense in my logical mind! If God is in control, or in charge of my life, then what exactly IS he in control of? A large part of our lives is our interactions with others... so does this mean, for example, if I finish a job interview, and pray to get the job, that God will influence the employer to give me the job? But then is He bypassing his free will? The only way I imagine God can influence our external lives is by "prompting" people's minds with different thoughts or ideas... but this seems irrational, because no human being just listens to random thoughts that pop up in their head, they have reasons for doing the stuff that they do.... So I'm still lost. If God is "in control", how far does this "control" go? If man has free will, then God cannot be in control! Yet a part of me wants to believe that God is in control, because it is comforting, and because the Bible seems to really emphasize this point. Honestly I get so much anxiety about this. I fear that God is somehow controlling everything, including me. I have had stuff happen to me or around me after prayer, e.g. I prayed for help and these Christians saw me and talked to me the same day. I prayed for help and I see a pamphlet for a conference called "Experiencing God". I ask for Jesus to reveal himself and soon after I find a pamphlet talking about Jesus' death. I've had so many experiences which point to God, as if God has placed these things in my life, but this brings the idea into my mind that God is controlling people.... I don't understand how some Christians say "God is in control" and don't seem to be afraid that it means He is literally controlling everything...

Please enlighten me

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

For a long time I've been trying to reconcile these two truths in my mind: God is in control and man has free will.

You agree though , God IS in control, AND man has free will ?

subject to clarifying as needed "in control" and "has free will", but simply, not scholarly, no.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

If man has free will, then God cannot be in control! Yet a part of me wants to believe that God is in control, because it is comforting, and because the Bible seems to really emphasize this point.

Good. Choose to obey God, or not to obey God - your choice. One way results in more life, one way results in death. God is Sovereign and does whatever He Pleases. He Says in His Word what He does and will do. Men choose to believe Him and obey Him, or to remain in the flesh, of the world, sons of disobedience, right?

 

[solid_core]

First, define the term "free will".

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I don't understand how some Christians say "God is in control" and don't seem to be afraid that it means He is literally controlling everything...

Think of a football team.
Not as if the quarterback is literally controlling everything,
but in that all the players, if they are good players and want to continue with the team, all the players DO what the quarterback directs them to do (or what the coach says, if that applies).....

THe players do not get to call the plays.

In life, God does not let people call the plays. Jesus says "WHO is MY family"? WHoever HEARS the FATHER,
AND does what the FATHER SAYS to do. THEY are MY family. So be DOERS of HIS WORD, and not just hearers...

 

[KingGeorge]

Good. Choose to obey God, or not to obey God - your choice. One way results in more life, one way results in death. God is Sovereign and does whatever He Pleases. He Says in His Word what He does and will do. Men choose to believe Him and obey Him, or to remain in the flesh, of the world, sons of disobedience, right?

I don't understand, does obeying God mean obeying the instruction of the Bible, or am I supposed to hear from God and do what that voice tells me? The latter is kinda psychotic... I don't think anyone can really know how God speaks to them, unless they're a prophet perhaps, but I will assume you mean obeying the Word correct?

But this doesn't answer my question; if He "does what He pleases", where's the line between our free will and His sovereignty, you get that?

 

[KingGeorge]

First, define the term "free will".

The ability to decide upon something without ANY interference from outside forces, I suppose.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

First, define the term "free will".

... and what free will is not....
It is not a "will" (last will and testament) drawn up by a lawyer for $300. THAT is NOT FREE!

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I don't understand, does obeying God mean obeying the instruction of the Bible, or am I supposed to hear from God and do what that voice tells me? The latter is kinda psychotic... I don't think anyone can really know how God speaks to them, unless they're a prophet perhaps, but I will assume you mean obeying the Word correct?

But this doesn't answer my question; if He "does what He pleases", where's the line between our free will and His sovereignty, you get that?

His Sovereignty never changes.
Our will may change a lot even in one hour? We choose who to obey. WHO TO TRUST (HIM!).

 

[solid_core]

The ability to decide upon something without ANY interference from outside forces, I suppose.

In that case, there is no such thing. All our decisions are based on our experiences from the inner or outside world.

 

[ChristianGirl_96]

My view is there is no such thing as free will. We must obey the Holy Spirit.

 

[section9+1]

God is in control of the planet. You are in control of your destiny.

 

[solid_core]

God is in control of the planet. You are in control of your destiny.

The true God is much more greater than just a planetary god.

He is God of all reality.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Hello guys,

For a long time I've been trying to reconcile these two truths in my mind: God is in control and man has free will. I've read articles stating that our finite minds cannot understand how this is possible, yet we must accept them as twin truths. This doesn't make any sense in my logical mind! If God is in control, or in charge of my life, then what exactly IS he in control of? A large part of our lives is our interactions with others... so does this mean, for example, if I finish a job interview, and pray to get the job, that God will influence the employer to give me the job? But then is He bypassing his free will? The only way I imagine God can influence our external lives is by "prompting" people's minds with different thoughts or ideas... but this seems irrational, because no human being just listens to random thoughts that pop up in their head, they have reasons for doing the stuff that they do.... So I'm still lost. If God is "in control", how far does this "control" go? If man has free will, then God cannot be in control! Yet a part of me wants to believe that God is in control, because it is comforting, and because the Bible seems to really emphasize this point. Honestly I get so much anxiety about this. I fear that God is somehow controlling everything, including me. I have had stuff happen to me or around me after prayer, e.g. I prayed for help and these Christians saw me and talked to me the same day. I prayed for help and I see a pamphlet for a conference called "Experiencing God". I ask for Jesus to reveal himself and soon after I find a pamphlet talking about Jesus' death. I've had so many experiences which point to God, as if God has placed these things in my life, but this brings the idea into my mind that God is controlling people.... I don't understand how some Christians say "God is in control" and don't seem to be afraid that it means He is literally controlling everything...

Please enlighten me

Man has free will in the sense that he is totally responsible for all his actions and attitudes. He is limited by the sinful nature handed down from Adam. Man's choices are inevitably at odds with God. Whatever is not of faith is sin. Therefore all unbelievers sin continually. God is sovereign, man is responsible. Christians are also responsible to obey the leading in their spirit man. I know what you mean by struggling with logic. If we understood God's ways we would be God. We can ask God to show us His ways.

God is in control in the way that a parent watches over their child. I preferred to let the kids be themselves. But if they were at risk, I would step in. Personally, I quit worrying about all this 40 years ago. All I got was a migraine. I seem to have survived unscathed. Also, God does respond to our requests. I've had some amazing responses to simple prayers. Real prayer originates with God anyway. He puts a desire in our hearts, we speak it out and God answers.

 

[eleos1954]

Hello guys,

For a long time I've been trying to reconcile these two truths in my mind: God is in control and man has free will. I've read articles stating that our finite minds cannot understand how this is possible, yet we must accept them as twin truths. This doesn't make any sense in my logical mind! If God is in control, or in charge of my life, then what exactly IS he in control of? A large part of our lives is our interactions with others... so does this mean, for example, if I finish a job interview, and pray to get the job, that God will influence the employer to give me the job? But then is He bypassing his free will? The only way I imagine God can influence our external lives is by "prompting" people's minds with different thoughts or ideas... but this seems irrational, because no human being just listens to random thoughts that pop up in their head, they have reasons for doing the stuff that they do.... So I'm still lost. If God is "in control", how far does this "control" go? If man has free will, then God cannot be in control! Yet a part of me wants to believe that God is in control, because it is comforting, and because the Bible seems to really emphasize this point. Honestly I get so much anxiety about this. I fear that God is somehow controlling everything, including me. I have had stuff happen to me or around me after prayer, e.g. I prayed for help and these Christians saw me and talked to me the same day. I prayed for help and I see a pamphlet for a conference called "Experiencing God". I ask for Jesus to reveal himself and soon after I find a pamphlet talking about Jesus' death. I've had so many experiences which point to God, as if God has placed these things in my life, but this brings the idea into my mind that God is controlling people.... I don't understand how some Christians say "God is in control" and don't seem to be afraid that it means He is literally controlling everything...

Please enlighten me

God is concerned with sin .... anything outside of that (thinking or doing) is a NON-ISSUE.

We do ask for His guidance and blessings with other aspects of our life. We do not know the future .... only God does ... and if a specific prayer is answered... we receive it as a blessing ... if it is not answered ... (the way WE wanted something to happen) ... then we understand the Lord has a different plan (that we don't know about) ... only He does and we trust Him fully in that regard ... and we wait for Him to work through all things we experience (good and/or not good) and He is always with us ... through both good times and bad times.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

My view is there is no such thing as free will. We must obey the Holy Spirit.

Joyfully, willingly, or grudgingly ?

 

[KingGeorge]

God is concerned with sin .... anything outside of that (thinking or doing) is a NON-ISSUE.

We do ask for His guidance and blessings with other aspects of our life. We do not know the future .... only God does ... and if a specific prayer is answered... we receive it as a blessing ... if it is not answered ... (the way WE wanted something to happen) ... then we understand the Lord has a different plan (that we don't know about) ... only He does and we trust Him fully in that regard ... and we wait for Him to work through all things we experience (good and/or not good) and He is always with us ... through both good times and bad times.

I'm new to faith, and my mind is very scientific, so I always ask the question "how". In this case, what do you mean by His guidance? Is he guiding us with his Spirit, through our emotions? Or is it through our experiences? If I apply for a job, and pray for it, and I get the job, was that God's doing?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I don't understand, does obeying God mean obeying the instruction of the Bible, or am I supposed to hear from God and do what that voice tells me? The latter is kinda psychotic... I don't think anyone can really know how God speaks to them, unless they're a prophet perhaps, but I will assume you mean obeying the Word correct?

But this doesn't answer my question; if He "does what He pleases", where's the line between our free will and His sovereignty, you get that?

As Jesus says, we HEAR JESUS' VOICE (in spirit, not in emotions). And we follow Jesus - another voice we will not follow. Jesus is always perfectly in harmony with all of God's Word (Scripture). Reading His Word frequently is a delight, and a light to our life.

 

[eleos1954]

I'm new to faith, and my mind is very scientific, so I always ask the question "how". In this case, what do you mean by His guidance? Is he guiding us with his Spirit, through our emotions? Or is it through our experiences? If I apply for a job, and pray for it, and I get the job, was that God's doing?

We accept through everything that God is with us. Every day is a new day and He is always with us. Regardless what we experience ... He is with us.

He is guiding us not to sin ... anything non-sinful is a blessing. How the Lord directs our paths is up to Him (only He knows the future) and we are not privy to knowing the future .... whatever path we go down or are on .. we are to turn away from sin ... and our paths will be many throughout our lifetime.

Your example .... you needed a job ... got one .... thankful to the Lord ..... after some time you are not content in your job ... perhaps being mistreated ... perhaps just want something different ..... you go to the Lord in prayer and you wait on the Lord ... how long? ... until you make a decision to leave or stay .... What does God want you to do????

The point is .... understanding He is always with us ... the path He wants us to stay on is a non-sinful one .... what we choose job-wise, family-wise, friend-wise, recreational-wise etc, it is about how we think and act regardless of our circumstances ... our life is a continuous path and He wants to help us live it without sin and that is His direction for us.

 

[com7fy8]

if He "does what He pleases", where's the line between our free will and His sovereignty, you get that?

yes

I hope you feed through Genesis 37-50.

And then, if you wish, we can talk about how this scripture can apply to your questions here.