Bible Verses About Free Will
Free will is a concept that is often discussed and debated within the realm of religion and philosophy. It refers to the ability of individuals to make choices and decisions without any external influence or coercion. In the Bible, there are numerous verses that touch upon the topic of free will, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility and the freedom to choose. These verses provide insight into the biblical perspective on free will and its implications for believers.
Here are 50 Bible verses about free will:
1. Joshua 24:15 – “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
2. Deuteronomy 30:19 – “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
3. Romans 6:16 – “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
4. Galatians 5:13 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
5. Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
6. John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
7. James 1:13-14 – “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
8. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
9. Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
10. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
11. Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
12. Proverbs 1:29 – “Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.”
13. Romans 14:12 – “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
14. 2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
15. James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
16. Romans 2:6-8 – “God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”
17. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
18. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
19. Isaiah 1:19 – “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.”
20. Proverbs 16:33 – “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.”
21. 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
22. Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
23. 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
24. Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
25. 1 Corinthians 6:12 – “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.”
26. Romans 6:12 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”
27. Galatians 6:7-8 – “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
28. Proverbs 3:7 – “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”
29. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
30. Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
31. Proverbs 16:25 – “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
32. Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
33. John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
34. Proverbs 28:26 – “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
35. Romans 2:4 – “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
36. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 – “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
37. Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
38. John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.”
39. Proverbs 10:29 – “The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.”
40. John 6:37 – “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”
41. Proverbs 16:2 – “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”
42. Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
43. Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
44. Matthew 16:24-25 – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.'”
45. Proverbs 15:3 – “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
46. John 3:18 – “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
47. Proverbs 21:2 – “A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.”
48. Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
49. Proverbs 22:6 – “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
50. John 8:36 – “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
In conclusion, the Bible emphasizes the concept of free will and the significance of personal choices. It highlights the responsibility of individuals to make decisions that align with God’s will and to resist the temptations of sin. The verses mentioned above provide guidance and encouragement for believers to exercise their free will in a manner that honors God and leads to a life of righteousness.