Christian: How does God's control over everything work together with human free will?

Question

I was reading an article and it said that God is in control of everything that happens to you (good or bad).

(Hypothetical Question) How does God control a situation where a big, strong guy is right next to me (who hates me) an if he wanted, could just hit me across the face and beat my ***?

AT THE END IT SAYS "BEAT MY A-S-S"

Answer 1

Father God is only involved with those who believe in Jesus, His son and those who keep His commandments. Satan is in control of all the others.

Answer 2

Whatever you read it wasn't the bible. The Bible is the only book which has been given to us by God and so we should look there for the answers to such questions. At this present time God is not in control of earths affairs. 1john 5:19 says...'We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one'. Also when Jesus was on the earth he was tempted by the devil to disobey God. One thing he offered Jesus was 'all the kingdoms of the world' if Jesus would fall down to his knees and worship Satan.(Matthew4) Satan couldn't have offered these if he didn't have control over them. This wont always be the case though. In Matthew 6:10 Jesus when teaching his disciples the way to pray said ' Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth'. God's kingdom isn't here at present is it? So this must be a future time that we pray for. When God's kingdom is extended to the earth all the pain, suffering and troubles we have will be gone forever and that includes the threat of being punched in the face

Answer 3

God has got control over everything, but he lets us get on with it because we wanted free will, now God can and will just watch us mess up everything we do when something goes wrong the first thing most people do is blame God, or say how can there be a God we need to accept we are the cause for the things that go wrong so live with it

Answer 4

This is a good question, one that I really have to think about to try and give a response to. The thing that comes to my mind is of two lines laid out side by side each other on a dry-erase board. One is human free will/timeline, the other is God's control of things/his timeline. On the one hand, yes, we do have free will, each person does have control of his choices and is to be held responsible for the ultimate choice of whether or not s/he will accept Christ Jesus as Lord. On the other hand, there's God's timeline. That timeline features such dramatic world changing events as, the creation of the world, the sending of his son to die for us, and the end of the world (or the judgement). Though the Bible may not explicitly (that is, it may not come out and say it in plain terms) that God is in control, it does say implicitly that God is in control, otherwise, John wouldn't have been able to write the book of revelation about the end of all times and the judgement to come. God gave man free will to choose right or wrong as he sees it, and so, as far as I read, and have been taught. God is still in control and is able to step in when he sees fit, but mankind is in a system where there are consequences to every action, that's not to say that God doesn't act in the present time, or that we are locked into a closed system, but that that God has allowed us the free will to make choices that will either help or hurt us, and if God chooses to intervene, then that's what happens. I hope that I was able to help you out, if not, I am more than willing to do more research for you.

Answer 5

God is TECHNICALLY in control of everything. God gave us what is known as free will. I think more than controlling someones sudden moves he knew from the creation of man who would be born, what each person would choose and what each action would cause as a reaction . He had it all viewed from the beginning of time and He knew what we would choose, He knew what we would do in each situation but he doesnt take control of our decisions.
This is a good debate when it comes to who will go to Heaven and Hell eternally. If God knows a person will not accept him and go to Heaven why doesnt he change it? If he loves us all so much then why cant He make everyone accept him and be with Him eternally. Isnt that essentially like he is somehow rejecting some of us and electing others of us to be with him thus showing more favoritism towards some people and rejecting others.
Its a question that is difficult to answer but I dont think God intervenes in our decisions. there is a presense of Good and evil around you and you have to ultimately choose .

Answer 6

Men are moved by one of two forces: God or Satan. That's just the way it is whether you belive me or not.

So if a Christian is sitting next to a big strong guy who hates him, he may just walk away from the situation. If God wanted him to sit next to the hating man, then God would either keep the man from hurting the Christian or it would not happen.

A friend of mine was confronted by a very drunk man who wanted to hit him. The drunk pulled up his fist and threw the punch at my friend. But he didn't hit him. His fist froze in mid-air while my friend prayed for the drunk. The guy stared at his own unmoveable fist and collapsed.

I have had many experiences like this as well. All it takes is walking close to Jesus. God will protect his children. And he is merciful to those who don't know him.

Jesus would walk through crowds of people without anyone seeing him. God can do anything.

Answer 7

What you read was wrong, God created us, but we are in control of our own lives, we choose to serve him he doesn't make us, he just for warns of the end time, and lets us decide which life style we want to live, once we die, then is when our sins are revealed, our own memory's stored in our minds will judge us according to the laws of God. God will not say or do anything, everything he wants us to know, is in the Bible. We have a choice. Who ever wrote the article, did not read the book called the Bible, they are going on head knowledge, not book knowledge, that is why so many people are confused, they speak, think they know, and people take it as the Gospel, and WA laaa,,, you got a Major problem, sometimes its so bad, no one can convince them, there wrong. Lie is a lie, truth is the truth, God is control only if you let him, he don't go where he is not welcome, haven't you noticed he did not appear on your door step, he has to be invited first.

Answer 8

God gave every one free will. Without free will their is no choice to love. He is controlling that you get the free will. We also have karma. (reactions to our actions) So if someone hits you it is because of some karma you did. Most likely your previous life. One has to understand karma and reincarnation to understand the unlimited love and mercy of God. He can change ones karma and He does intervene when the person calls on Him if He desires. He may or may not comply depending on what He thinks the person may need to learn or maybe there is something good behind the situation, though aparently bad. He really knows what He is doing. But We have to know about karma to get the big pickture. otherwise you are shooting in the dark. Go to harekrishnatemple.co For details.Read Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada-tells all.

Answer 9

Kinda like being a parent of a child who is allowed to make choices, both good and bad so that the child learns from them. The parent had the power to take over the child's actions, but out of love allowed the child to make his own choices. So, just because the parent did not use all of the control that the parent had, doesn't do away with the fact that the total control existed. God is Sovereign and is ultimately in control over everyone and everything, but because He loves us, allows free will.

Answer 10

The Bible does not say God is in CONTROL of everything, rather that He knows everything. He knew when He created the world that man would fall from grace and sin. That is freewill. Sin saddened Him so much he sent his only son to die a horrible painful long death in your place. While here with us Jesus teaches that if a man should smite you (hit you in the face or beat your backside) that you should turn your other cheek so he may hit it also.
We are to pray for those who wrong us, and forgive them as we would have our Father in Heaven forgive us.
I would love to invite you to our church which I am sure is not even close to you, but there are several good ones in most cities and towns. I suggest you find one and attend a service and talk to the pastor afterword's. I am sure the pastor can explain better than I have.
Good luck and God bless...

Answer 11

God already set physical laws to govern everything on earth, solar system and the whole universe. He let these things run through its own. Technicaly, He is God of both good and evil (like death, famine and tragedies. Because He allows things to happen. But He truly intervenes in both world and personal affairs when He wills it.
Yesterday alone I was insulted by a stranger. God did not provoke the person, but He allows it to happen.