Free Will Origin of Sin

Well said, sir.

" For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." ( Romans 7:15-20 )

" Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." ( 1 John 3:9 )

 

"The question arises, “If we died to sin’s dominion, why do we still struggle with sin in our daily lives?” When Paul wrote, “We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” he was referring, not to the activity of committing sins, but to continuing to live under the dominion of sin. The word live means to continue in or abide in. It connotes a settled course of life. To use Paul’s words from Romans 8:7, “The sinful mind [one under sin’s dominion] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” But the believer who has died to sin’s reign and dominion delights in God’s law. The believer approves of it as holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12), even though he or she may struggle to obey it.

We must distinguish between the activity of sin, which is true in all believers, and the dominion of sin, which is true of all unbelievers. Sinclair Ferguson has written, “Sin is not primarily an activity of man’s will so much as a captivity which man suffers, as an alien power grips his soul. It is an axiom for John Owen that while the presence of sin can never be abolished in this life, nor the influence of sin altered (its tendency is always the same), its dominion can, indeed, must be destroyed if a man is to be a Christian.

Therefore a believer cannot continue in sin. We no longer live in the realm of sin, under its reign and practical dominion. We have, to use Paul’s words, died to sin. We indeed do sin and even our best deeds are stained with sin, but our attitude toward it is essentially different from that of an unbeliever. We succumb to temptations, either from our own evil desires (James 1:13), or from the world or the Devil (Ephesians 2:1-3). " - Sinclair Ferguson

thought this might be helpful to the discussion.

 

And IMHO, free will, has absolutely nothing to do with, the new man.

Only the will of God.

 

Unfortunately, until we shed the old man into the dust from whence we were made, the flesh will always impinge upon our ability to please God in any natural way. A wretched existence to be sure, yet life in the Spirit can be so sweet! Personally, I find it a daily battle to align my will to that of my Maker.

 

Before the fall man had real free will, after the fall, not so much!

 

He had no sin nature before the fall, but Now he and us all have one!

 

for clarification purposes, what is your definition of free will? you've used different words like; choice, will etc

 

We are free to choose in the area that the sin nature still allows for us, but we no longer have all freedom to choice!

 

There are soe things that our sin natures restrict us from choosing, such as salvation!

 

"The religion known as Thelema was founded in 1904 by the English poet and mystic Aleister Crowley (1875 – 1947), who is regarded as its prophet. Those who follow the path of Thelema are called Thelemites. Thelema emphasizes individualism, and the uniqueness of each person’s Will. "

Thelema

"According to Thelemic doctrine, the expression of Divine Law in the Æon of Horus is “Do what thou wilt”."

Free will...what every man screams loudest about.


IoDebar, you do know what John 1:13 is saying, don't you?