free will
What does the Bible say about free will? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
10 passages · most helpful first
9The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
19I call heaven and earth as witnesses this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your offspring may live, 20and so that you may love the Lord your God, and obey his voice, and cling to him, (for he is your life and the length of your days) and so that you may live in the land, about which the Lord swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that he would give it to them.”
12Yet whoever did accept him, those who believed in his name, he gave them the power to become the sons of God. 13These are born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
17If anyone has chosen to do his will, then he will realize, about the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I am speaking from myself.
15But if it seems evil to you that you would serve the Lord, a choice is given to you. Choose today what pleases you, and whom you ought to serve above all else, either the gods that your fathers served in Mesopotamia, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
13Temptation should not take hold of you, except what is human. For God is faithful, and he will not permit you to be tempted beyond your ability. Instead, he will effect his Providence, even during temptation, so that you may be able to bear it.
20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone will hear my voice and will open the door to me, I will enter to him, and I will dine with him, and he with me.
9For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and if you believe in your heart that God has raised him up from the dead, you shall be saved. 10For with the heart, we believe unto justice; but with the mouth, confession is unto salvation.
16And he instructed him, saying: “From every tree of Paradise, you shall eat. 17But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat. For in whatever day you will eat from it, you will die a death.”
16So then, I say: Walk in the spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. And since these are against one another, you may not do whatever you want.