Biblical reference to free will?

Question

Where does it say anything about free will in the Bible? I mean the actual words "free will". I don't see it anywhere.

Answer 1

Lev 22:18 Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering;

Answer 2

The concept that is more important than the terminology. "Freewill" does occur in some translations as an above poster has said, but its meaning there is not what you are talking about.

There are many examples where the idea that God values our free will is illustrated. Some are the fact that he put the forbidden tree in Eden, so that people could choose to disobey him. Even though he knew they would make the wrong choice and cause him much pain he still gave them that choice. Then there are numerous passages where he asks people to make a choice, which implies that they have free will.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live

Joshua 24:14 "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him."

See also Ezekiel 18 in which God reasons with people, trying to convince them to repent and live
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eze%2018&version=31

Answer 3

John 3:19 ish (the last verse of the section)
"This is the verdict light has come into the world but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil, whoever 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[h]

Jesus gives a complete reasoning system WHY people reject the gospel. If there was no free will there would be no reason for Jesus to explain why people reject the gospel.

Answer 4

First of all, it's fairly logical that it would make no sense for God to give commandments to humans if they had no choice in following them or not. One could not sin, because sin implies a choice to obey. If one has no choice but to violate a command, then logic says they can not be held accountable for the sin. But that is just logic... you obviously want more then that.

The reality is that the fact that God has given us all 'free will' is interwoven throughout the Bible. I absolutely HATE quoting Bible verses but what choice do I have when I have a doubting Thomas on my hands? So I'll do a bit of that here - just to give you a heads up now.

I'm sure that everyone already knows the story of Adam and Eve without opening a Bible. Were they not given a choice? God could've made every single tree in the Garden of Eden 'good' ... but he chose to put one 'bad' tree in there too.

Here are few other words from the Bible on 'free will' though....

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

“Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.” (Proverbs 3:31)

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17) - By the way, if we had no choice, then just 'knowing to do good' would result in 'doing good', wouldn't it??

Answer 5

To find to the actual words go to Leviticus 22:18, Ezra 7:16, and Psalms 119:108.

But to understand the princple go to Joshua 24:15 were we learn that need choose today who we will serve God or Evil.

(LOOK UP VERSES KING JAMES VERSION)

Answer 6

Deuteronomy 30:19,20 is the best illustration I can find although the principles are found throughout the Bible.

Answer 7

Actually the bible is quite clear that 'free will' has nothing to do with what happens to our souls (if you believe in such a thing). Nothing ANYONE can do will get them into heaven if HE has decided that they will not go to heaven. Just look at this passage:

"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. .... For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction." -- Romans 9:11-22

It's pretty clear from this that God has decided that some people are simply going to go to hell because he says so and there isn't a damn thing that anyone can do about it.

Answer 8

Here is a perfect example of biblical free will: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/O.J._Simpson_%281986%29.jpg

Answer 9

"Freewill" is the illusion of choice. We ARE biological robots created by circumstance. If I can decide then who taught me to decide? Someone of my choosing? "Freewill" does not magically spring forth once you learn societal norms. Any animal will adapt to its society. It's called genetic programming.

Answer 10

how about this verse, "choose today whom you will serve".