God Controls Hearts and Thoughts as He Says in His Word

It is against his nature to do so. He created us with a free will to choose to praise him, or choose not to praise him.

 

but just how do you define the term/concept of "free will?"

And I do hold that the Lord does NOT send all the thoughts to us, that He formed all our thoughts etc, as that would make us robots and Him the master BUT

Do hold that whatever thoughts we have, God did either directly send them to us, or else He permitted them to come unto us!

Up to us to accept the "God" thoughts, and let those others pass on by and not 'stick" to us!

 

Yes, what is the most famous verse in all scripture?

Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus came for the express purpose of dying for our sins.

It is one thing to say God controls events, and quite another to say God controls our thoughts. It is scriptural that God does control some events.

An example is that the Jews tried several times to kill Jesus.

Jn 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

The religious leaders especially wanted to kill Jesus well before he was actually crucified. But this was not God's plan. Jesus had to die on the Passover. So, in this case Jesus himself thwarted the Jews attempt to kill him.

But that is the point. God would not have allowed the idea to kill Jesus in the minds of men before the appointed time. This shows the intent to kill Jesus arose from their own hearts and minds.

If God is controlling every single event, then why did Jesus say he "overcame" the world?

Jn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

If every event is controlled and determined by God, then who did Jesus overcome? His Father?

If God controls everything that Satan does, then why are we at war against the powers of darkness? Satan is merely following God's determined will and is actually a servant of God if your view is correct.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; )

The scriptures descibe Christians as soldiers who are at war. Who are we fighting against if God is controlling everything? Wouldn't we be fighting against God himself? If Satan and the powers of darkness are simply fulfilling God's dictates, then when we fight against Satan wouldn't we be fighting against God?

It is nonsensical to believe God is warring against himself. Therefore, Satan and sinners must have true freedom.

 

That is the Lie that both Satan and Adam bought into, that they were able to operate and function fully automous, apart from God and His Will...

How did that get them?

Just saying there by definition ONLY God can be the only truely "Free Willed" Being to exist, or else he cannot be in the Biblical sense really God!

 

I agree with most of what you say. Let's look at this verse in context of what other Scripture says, especially the Gospel of John.

Two chapters earlier, John introduces the book by saying:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
--Christ is the Word, God, the second person of the triune Godhead. There can be no question about this.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
--This is the incarnation. God was made flesh. God, the Word. He became flesh and dwelt among us. I believe that John now describes what he saw on the Mount--the transfiguration--Christ: full of grace and glory.

Now back to John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
--Christ did not become "the only begotten Son," until after he came to earth. The word "begotten" refers to "unique" and he is unique because of his virgin birth, the way that he came into this world. He would have never been called "begotten" had he not come into this world as flesh.

So it was God himself that came to earth. Once on earth he was the Son submitting himself to the Father. How can we dissect the trinity?

 

Then you believe it was God's will that Adam and Eve sinned?

This is not complicated, either Adam and Eve did what they wanted to do when they sinned, or else they did what God wanted them to do.

Which is it?

And why do you believe only God can have free will? Do the scriptures tell you that? I can give you scripture that says man has his own free will.

Lev 1:1 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

Here God himself said man has HIS OWN VOLUNTARY WILL. You do understand what the word "own" means don't you? Do you understand what the word "voluntary" means?

Now, I have just shown you from scripture where God himself said man has his own voluntary (free) will.

Now, you show me where the scriptures say man does not have his own voluntary will.

 

Did God control your thoughts when you typed them, or was it the devil?
Just wondering because you do believe it is one of the two?

Or did you type them of your own free will? Did you choose out of your own free will to make this post?

 

DHK, I know we don't always perfectly agree, but I agree with you 100% here. Jesus is God!

Jn 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

I have spent some time with JWs before, I know all their arguments.

 

Now, who is the one who can't answer the post??

What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Do you realize how many posts in this and other threads have gone unanswered by you?

 

Satan And Adam/Eve had what you term "free will" once they chose to sin and rebel against God, nature became corrupt and sinful, since than, all humans born under "bondage of the Will" not "free willed" as originally at creation of man!

 

Do you doubt the Bible that says BOTH God and satan can send thoughts your way?

And I chose to post what was sent in, for God does allow /permit me "limited free will"

 

Well...

I am most definitely NOT a JW.....

 

See my post replies...

Please answer these if you can...

What is your ultimate basis/source of salvation, uourself or God?

Do you have "real free will" or just a "type" Of it?

can God overule as he desires his creation?

Is it wrong for God to assert His soverignity at the time/place that He so sees fit to?

 

I expect I will be waiting a long time for his response.

 

Not lack of respect, just busy in/out of the house!

which posting # please!

 

and far as I knowm did answer those specificaly directed to me, which one didn't I?

 

I showed you a verse where God himself says men have their "own voluntary will" (Lev 1:3).

I asked you to show me any verse that says man does not have his own voluntary will.