Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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Genez

Junior Member
Oct 12, 2017
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Can see there have been some replies i will attend too but just wondering if others are finding it a nightmare loading and staying connected to CC at times too?

When loading i get a site error msg near 50% of the time, which often happens on a different forum/thread load too. I clear the cache before reloading the site, so it isn't old page problems etc. Stability is reduced on quite a few sites over the past few months, including major ones like Amazon and Asda UK. It suggests to me there's a systemic issue, interested in finding out how widespread it is.

Edit: When i say systemic i mean network issue, don't think it's CC.

CC has been terrible lately.

One person told me that he is considering not coming here any more.
It is getting ridiculous.

Makes me feel that my donations have been in vain.
 

Genez

Junior Member
Oct 12, 2017
4,824
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always a pleasure you seem to have a good spirit in the lord and very pleasant to discuss with I appreciate the time

“It's so hard for many to understand that the notion we have free will is based on lies, which have a dark purpose. We certainly have will and choice, which are huge components of our lives but it's rare for us to be able to take successful, unilateral action, unless what we want to do is inconsequential to others.”

“We certainly have will and choice,”

ok. Is someone else controlling our Will and choices or are we ?

thats sort of what I’m wanting to get at “ how “ is our Will not free ?

We have to will to have Him have his will done through us.

That requires learning and gaining lots of sound doctrine.
Why?
Because we will not know when His will is being desired, owing to the fact that His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)


Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
Philippians 2:12-13

One reason for our fear and trembling is because God does not fear what we fear!
We are to be learning His ways as to walk as He walks!
 
Sep 2, 2020
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We have to will to have Him have his will done through us.

That requires learning and gaining lots of sound doctrine.
Why?
Because we will not know when His will is being desired, owing to the fact that His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)


Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
Philippians 2:12-13

One reason for our fear and trembling is because God does not fear what we fear!
We are to be learning His ways as to walk as He walks!
“We are to be learning His ways as to walk as He walks”

Amen and in that mind , is our security in him. And the effectual power of the gospel
 
Sep 29, 2024
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always a pleasure you seem to have a good spirit in the lord and very pleasant to discuss with I appreciate the time

“It's so hard for many to understand that the notion we have free will is based on lies, which have a dark purpose. We certainly have will and choice, which are huge components of our lives but it's rare for us to be able to take successful, unilateral action, unless what we want to do is inconsequential to others.”

“We certainly have will and choice,”

ok. Is someone else controlling our Will and choices or are we ?

thats sort of what I’m wanting to get at “ how “ is our Will not free ?
Sorry for the late reply friend, not just the site issues, sorting out mega installations on two rigs as well. Have explained in several comments i don't think our will is controlled at all, we certainly have both choice and will and can exercise both. Free will is near impossible tho as there are 8/9 billion wills of other people to contend with, which means we can only exercise our will unilaterally on occasion.

Free will is the ability to exercise/execute our will and choices unilaterally, which we can only do occasionally. I do think we are less regimented/have more leeway than angels, different tasks/strokes for different folks. However, they are more powerful than us and clearly have will/make choices too.

Anyway, hope all's good with you and what i've said makes sense.
 
Sep 29, 2024
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“Do enjoy our chats Pilgrimshope, i'm one of those who thinks if we genuinely had free will, humanity would have snuffed it during its infancy.”

After just the tenth generation of mankind’s existance

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:5-7 ‭KJV‬‬

You believe if they had free Will , something like that would have happened probably once they were exposed to good and evil ?
That made me laugh friend, the Lord was entitled to get a little irate at all our shenanigans but i was thinking more we'd have driven ourselves to extinction in our early days, if we had free will. Only the LORD has the moral chops to cope with FREE will, as i said in my comment above, even the angels don't have free will.
 
Sep 29, 2024
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When you consider free will, you must also consider man's ability.
Adam had the ability to obey or to not obey. We basically lost this ability in the fall.
After the fall God tells us:

Gen 6:5
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Now there is no way possible to please God unless the HS restores the ability that was lost. If you think that man has this ability then you do not understand just how depraved man actually is.

So yes, you can freely choose to post on this site, but you cannot put your trust in God without the HS doing a work in you.
Forgot to reply to this yesterday BillyBob, it's such a great comment which i really agree with. I do wonder if Adam and Eve might still be resurrected, hopefully we'll refrain from lynching them if they are.
Bit busy with stuff i need to sort out at the moment but so happy i'm visiting the site again. There are quite a few really lovely people here and you're one of them for sure. Hope i might be back later on, depends on how these installations go. :eek:
 

NightTwister

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2023
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Colorado, USA
If we did not have free will then how did anyone sin.

Lucifer was created perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him but if he did not have free will then how was iniquity found in him when he was created perfect in his ways.

Adam and Eve were created in the image of God an innocent nature in flesh with no sin on their record so if they did not have free will how did they sin.

Jas 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

If Adam and Eve did not have free will that would mean that God wanted them to fall which goes against His nature of being good and wanting us to be good.

God does not want us to sin so He is not going to cause us to sin.

If we did not have free will then God's kingdom is not true love but robotic love and God is not evil to condemn people that do not have a choice but to not accept the truth because they do not have free will.

If God did choose in the beginning who will be saved without their choice then what is the purpose of the earth.

God could of made them to be with Him and cut out the earth and the result would be the same for they do not choose their salvation.

The Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world for God calls things that have not happened yet as though they already happened.

The saints are predestined to salvation means that God had the plan to give mankind salvation from the foundation of the earth and this salvation is to whoever wants it.

1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

God wants all people to be saved so we have free will to choose salvation or reject it.
Your God is too small.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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That made me laugh friend, the Lord was entitled to get a little irate at all our shenanigans but i was thinking more we'd have driven ourselves to extinction in our early days, if we had free will. Only the LORD has the moral chops to cope with FREE will, as i said in my comment above, even the angels don't have free will.
“, the Lord was entitled to get a little irate at all our shenanigans but i was thinking more we'd have driven ourselves to extinction in our early days, if we had free will”

so he was upset with what we did and decided to destroy everyone ? Or was it his Will ?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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Have the administrators ever explained what the problem is?
not that I’m aware of. I figure it’s beyond my capacity to understand anyways lol when people say stuff like “ server “ I think tennis. Or “app” I think job application …. I don’t understand hardly any of the terminology regarding computers and cyber so I would t understand anyways
 

Lamar

Well-known member
May 21, 2023
1,357
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Many have probably realised i don't think we can exercise free will, even think it's impossible for us to. Won't explain why i think it's an impossiblility for us yet, think it's useful for some to express why they think it exists first.

I have no doubt we have and can make choices throughout life, however, think our options are far more restricted than most realise. What do you think?
Are you pushing the old unlimited choice vs. limited choice contention?
 
Oct 19, 2024
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not that I’m aware of. I figure it’s beyond my capacity to understand anyways lol when people say stuff like “ server “ I think tennis. Or “app” I think job application …. I don’t understand hardly any of the terminology regarding computers and cyber so I would t understand anyways
LOL! Me too. I would just like to be reassured that it is not beyond the administrator's capacity to fix.
If we need the charismatics to pray for healing CC, then let us know!
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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LOL! Me too. I would just like to be reassured that it is not beyond the administrator's capacity to fix.
If we need the charismatics to pray for healing CC, then let us know!
one , point twenty one jiggawats of prayer should do the trick
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
16,036
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Sorry for the late reply friend, not just the site issues, sorting out mega installations on two rigs as well. Have explained in several comments i don't think our will is controlled at all, we certainly have both choice and will and can exercise both. Free will is near impossible tho as there are 8/9 billion wills of other people to contend with, which means we can only exercise our will unilaterally on occasion.

Free will is the ability to exercise/execute our will and choices unilaterally, which we can only do occasionally. I do think we are less regimented/have more leeway than angels, different tasks/strokes for different folks. However, they are more powerful than us and clearly have will/make choices too.

Anyway, hope all's good with you and what i've said makes sense.
“Have explained in several comments i don't think our will is controlled at all, we certainly have both choice and will and can exercise both. “

yeah I agree with what’s above here .^^

“i don't think our will is controlled at all, “

the problem is I’m not understanding how it’s not free if it’s under our own control . Speaking as a Christian of course

other people have thier own will that they also control correct ?

If someone chooses to do something that affects me are they doing it of themselves and thier own will ?

“Free will is the ability to exercise/execute our will and choices unilaterally,”

“Have explained in several comments i don't think our will is controlled at all, we certainly have both choice and will and can exercise both. “

ok so ?

You believe we have a Will and the ability to choose , and can exercise both our Will and choices …… yeah I think we agree much more than I had thought before

God bless thanks for being patient
 
Oct 19, 2024
5,725
1,160
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USA-TX
“Have explained in several comments i don't think our will is controlled at all, we certainly have both choice and will and can exercise both. “

yeah I agree with what’s above here .^^

“i don't think our will is controlled at all, “

the problem is I’m not understanding how it’s not free if it’s under our own control . Speaking as a Christian of course

other people have thier own will that they also control correct ?

If someone chooses to do something that affects me are they doing it of themselves and thier own will ?

“Free will is the ability to exercise/execute our will and choices unilaterally,”

“Have explained in several comments i don't think our will is controlled at all, we certainly have both choice and will and can exercise both. “

ok so ?

You believe we have a Will and the ability to choose , and can exercise both our Will and choices …… yeah I think we agree much more than I had thought before

God bless thanks for being patient
Human volition is limited, and regarding salvation it is limited to cooperating with God's moral will--or not,
which in the NT is revealed as accepting Christ and cooperating with His HS.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
16,036
6,439
113
Human volition is limited, and regarding salvation it is limited to cooperating with God's moral will--or not,
which in the NT is revealed as accepting Christ and cooperating with His HS.
“cooperating with God's moral will--or not,”

yeah that’s always been the situation since they partook of good and evil knowledge.

Even since cain the first born man “ if you do good you will be accepted but I’d you do not do good sin is waiting to have you , but you must overcome it “

In that comment you replied to is sort of the latter point of something I was trying to work through in conversation and thought to understand another persons view of “ free Will “.

man was made free but we become bond servants to either good or evil based on what we partake of in this world . If we live sinful lives lord and more we’re going to reap that if we turn from those things and walk the other way with and towards the good in our heart then we’ll be made free again.

I was really just trying to find out what tbier definition of “ Will “ was , and how it was free or not .

man definetely become servants to sin in our lives and need to be set free . I was really just trying to get to that part of how and why man became corrupted in the area of our Will and motivations .

How we became like this inside which is the source of our bondage outwardly in our actions

I believe the condition of our Will is based on the condition of our hearts and minds which the gospel can heal taking us from this place

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬


to this place which the gospel accomplishes if we’re willing to listen to the lords word within it

“But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: ( John 8:31-32) that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (that’s what Jesus was saying )

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ( this is why we need to listen to Jesus word )

and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:20-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This new man is not the same as the old man he’s no longer in n a snare and trap of the devil by his Will, but accepting the truth has brought his mind to repentance

“in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that last part there shows us that sinners are captives of satans will, and need to acknowledge the gospel in order to recover themselves out of his deadly trap tbat all began with a lie and then more lies and more lies and so the truth becomes the way we are redeemed and then more truth and more truth ….

and so from one glory to the next and from faith upon faith we are constantly being renewed more and more in our minds and hearts through belief that wickedness can’t abide there anymore in our minds and hearts where our Will and choices are determined
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
16,036
6,439
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Human volition is limited, and regarding salvation it is limited to cooperating with God's moral will--or not,
which in the NT is revealed as accepting Christ and cooperating with His HS.
“revealed as accepting Christ and cooperating with His HS.”

amen

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:23-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:22-24, 26‬ ‭KJV‬‬