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=> Email to Ray => Topic started by: Craig on September 17, 2006, 10:54:05 PM

Title: Free Will
Post by: Craig on September 17, 2006, 10:54:05 PM
    Hi Ray,

    I don't want to sound blasphemous but if we have absolutley no free will, no control of ourselves, can we feel guilty or sorry for our sins

    Dear Christopher:


    One would think that when I say we have no "FREE"  will that I said we have no will at all, or that we can't make choices, or that we can't think, or that we don't have a brain,  or that we can't process information, or that we cannot learn, or that we don't even have a mind. I never said any such thing, and neither has the Bible.

    Go back to Part A and reread carefully the definition of "free will" or "free choice." Of course we have a WILL; of course we can and should feel guilty for our sins; of course we have emotions; of course we have a mind and a brain; of course we can think and plan and study and learn, etc., etc., etc., etc. But we do not have "FREE" UNCAUSED wills and choices.

    God be with you,

    Ray


Title: Re: Free Will
Post by: Craig on September 17, 2006, 10:54:27 PM
thanks,
btw does God speak to us?  If he does, how can we recognise him?
 

Dear Christopher:
God speaks to us through His Spirit in us.
He speaks to us through His Word.
He speaks to us through circumstances.
He speaks to us through miracles.
He speaks to us through answered prayer.
He speaks to us through inspiration.
 
But He does not speak to us in an audible voice.
God be with you,
Ray
Title: Re: Free Will
Post by: Craig on September 17, 2006, 10:58:53 PM
Thank you for the response Ray!  I struggle a lot with lust, and I believe it has some connection with perhaps demonic obsession.  The frustrating thing is that at times in my life it almost gets out of control.  Not to a point I would physically harm someone.  I would end myself if I ever thought it came to that, but at times lust has gotten to a point where it could have had financial impact to me and damage my reputation severely.  I am very blessed in my life, and I HATE this part of myself, but it seems I am powerless when it hits me full force.  I take chances, and at those times it is almost as if I am on autopilot.

I would do anything for God to cut this foul part of myself out of me and truly change me.  I know I can’t change myself. I accept that only God can.  Is it my destiny to experience this pain?  Could it be that God’s plan for me is to have me lose this battle against lust.  Lust has destroyed many people’s lives.  I am certainly not more deserving than any other victim for it to do the same for me.  I understand that sometimes a person is sacrificed to save others from following the same path.

I accept God.  I believe in God.  I have faith that God’s Will shall be done with me.  I just wish I knew what it was.

During prayer one time, I had a conversation of sorts with God. I believe it was real.  The message was basically that God had a plan for me, but in order to get there I would “stand alone in the face of evil.”  I didn’t think we ever stand alone.  God is always with us.  Could this lust be the evil I am struggling with?  Does standing alone mean that no human can help me with this?  I just don’t know.

Ray, I am a pretty normal average guy.  I have been blessed with a good life yet I am in my own personal hell constantly.  I would drive across the world if I knew of someone that could help me with this.  You might respond saying that I do not trust God.  I REALLY try to, but I am so beaten down that it is hard.

I could say one thing for sure.  If it wasn’t for my amazing Wife (who helps me with my struggles) and my two incredible sons, I would not be here at all.  This is something I would never have even thought of 10 years ago.  I had a great childhood, I have seen psychologists, and psychiatrists you name it.  At best I have had temporary relief from depression, anxiety and compulsions.  Nothing works.  What is the point?  I chase after God feverishly.  It is my life’s passion.  I want to be what God wants me to be.  (or maybe I don’t?)

This whole thing about my will and God’s will confuses the heck out of me.  If I try to be good, is that me exerting my will and not accepting God’s will?  If I surrender and accept my plight for what it is, (controlled by lust)  am I allowing God’s will to be done, or am I giving into sin?  It seems like some giant catch 22 to me.  I get so angry with myself, God everything.  Free will.  (I have read your writings)  If it is a myth, then technically nothing I do matters.  What choices do I have at all?  Why live life? I can’t even make a free will choice to go to McDonalds VS Burger King.

Ever seen the movie Scanners?  That is what my head feels like right now.  Like it is just going to explode from information overload.

You are free to post this if you want.  I know others struggle with lust, and maybe it will help others.  Just please keep my name absent from the post.  I feel like I am a walking paradox.  I do what I don’t want to do and I do not do what I want to do.  (I know that is somewhere in the Bible too.  A similar statement)  Where is the light at the end of this long tunnel?  I am a person that is willing to just turn myself over to God.  Take me!  Shape me into whatever pleases you.  I cry from the bottom of my soul for God to take away this burden.  I am nothing like Christ.  I can’t carry it.

God Bless.

Christopher


Dear Christopher:

Sometimes I seriously wonder if there are more than a dozen people on this entire planet who understand the Scriptural Truth regarding man's will. You erroneously state:

" Free will.  (I have read your writings)  If it is a myth, then technically nothing I do matters.  What choices do I have at all?  Why live life? I can’t even make a free will choice to go to McDonalds VS Burger King."

And for this you hate God?  Listen:  WHAT DOES IT MATTER whether you have "free" will to choose between McDonalds VS. Burger King? The fact of the matter is YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE AND YOU CAN AND DO MAKE IT!

Has God ever FORCED you AGAINST YOUR WILL to go to Mc Donalds when deep in your heart you did not want to go to McDonalds, but rather to Burger King, but God wouldn't LET YOU?  You are talk total nonsense.

I thank God continually that I do not have a "free" renegade will that is based on NOTHING.  I thank God that He is in total control of His entire creation, and that He has seen fit to let me have a part in it.

You will stop being dominated and reigned over by lust when it is God's time for you to do so, and not a minute sooner.  And the fact that God is keeping you waiting is for a purpose that you do not necessarily need to be fully informed of at the moment.  I do not knolw what God has in store for my life, day by day and hour by hour.  I no longer am dominated by any of my personal lusts of the flesh, but I do have MANY trials and tribulations daily. Most of you would not want to change places with me, I assure you!  But I know that my trials are for a purpose, and so I accept them and try to be content in any and all situations.

Overcoming your flesh and overcoming the WORLD, Christop;her, is not a walk in the park.  I gave a lecture in Nashville about 15 months ago in which I asked the question:  "How Hard is Getting Saved?"  It is the hardest thing any human being will ever endure. Look how much contenders for the Olympics give up and overcome just to compete in a game. We are talking about INHERITING THE KINGDOM OF GOD, for crying out loud. Do not become discouraged. You will be "GOD'S workimanship [achievement]"  (Eph. 2:8-10), not your own achievement. Keep praying and obeying until God gives you the victory.

God be with you,

Ray