What does the Bible say about fate/destiny?

TL;DR:

The concepts of fate or destiny are not biblical. God is sovereign and in control; however, the Bible reveals our active participation in the outcome of our lives, revealing that choices matter and have lasting impact on our lives.

what does the bible say?

Fate is the development of events beyond human control, as determined by a supernatural power. Destiny refers to the events that necessarily happen to a specific person or thing in the future. Fate and destiny are not biblical ideas because the Bible's description of future events is much more complicated than either of these. The Bible teaches that God is sovereign and in control, but it also teaches that He grants humans meaningful free will, as seen in Adam and Eve's choice in the garden of Eden. Our ability to choose does not alter God's overarching plan; instead, He uses our decisions to fulfill His purposes. Unlike fate or destiny, which suggests a predetermined outcome beyond our influence, the Bible emphasizes personal responsibility and the consequences of our choices. God has a calling on each person's life, but we have the freedom to follow or reject it, which distinguishes His plan from fatalistic concepts. Ultimately, the Bible encourages active participation in life, highlighting that our choices matter and have lasting impacts.

from the old testament

In the beginning Adam and Eve were given the choice of obeying God in the garden of Eden: they could choose whether or not to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:16–17). Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and eat the fruit of the tree (Genesis 3). This demonstrates a major part of human free will: our ability to choose to obey or disobey God.
The Bible upholds the sovereignty of God. Ultimately, He is in control (Daniel 4:35). Our choices will not alter His overarching plan for the world; His will is accomplished (Isaiah 46:9–10). Yet at the same time, the Bible teaches that we have genuinely meaningful free will (Joshua 24:15).
Our free will does not contradict God's sovereignty. God is outside of time, therefore His foreknowledge is perfect. Because of His omniscience, He is able to say, "The former things I declared of old; they went out from my mouth, and I announced them; then suddenly I did them, and they came to pass," (Isaiah 48:3) and, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose" (Isaiah 46:10). Since creation, God has had a plan for the earth, and because of His foreknowledge He knows which choices we will make before we make them. He is able to use our choices and work with or inspire them to accomplish His purposes.
God does have a calling on our lives. God anointed David to be king thirty years before he was crowned. God says of the prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). But like Jonah, we are free to choose to disobey God and not walk in our calling, to our own undoing. God’s call on our lives is not fate or destiny because we can choose to follow or not.
Rather than a fatalistic and resigned approach to life, the Bible encourages active participation and emphasizes responsibility for our actions (Deuteronomy 30:19; Ezekiel 18:20; Proverbs 14:12).
The Bible teaches that good choices will naturally have good results, but bad choices will naturally have bad ramifications: "Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail" but "He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend" (Proverbs 22:8, 11).

from the new testament

Whereas the concepts of fate and destiny often point to a predetermined outcome over which there is little to no personal influence, the Bible talks of the natural law of reaping and sowing (Galatians 6:7–8).
There are some guaranteed outcomes to our choices, specifically, our choice whether or not to have faith in Jesus Christ. If we choose to trust Him as our Lord and have a relationship with Him, we are promised eternal life. God knows what we will choose beforehand, yet that does not negate our responsibility to respond to Him. God promises that "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. . . . For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame'" (Romans 10:9–11).
Although it is true that God is sovereign, it is also true that humans are responsible for their actions and are held accountable by God for them (Romans 14:12; Galatians 6:4–5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; James 4:17).
God is not manipulating us or our choices. We choose things, good or bad, fully out of our own volition: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:13–14).

implications for today

We have free will to obey or disobey God. We also have free will in other areas of our lives. We are free to choose where to live, where to work, whether or not to go to school, whom to befriend, whether or not to marry, and so much more. These choices affect our lives long-term to various degrees. In contrast to the concepts of fate or destiny, our lives will not go a certain direction void of our participation. Because our choices have life-affecting consequences, free will comes with responsibility. People are free to choose how they will walk through this life, and they are responsible for the outcome of their choices.

As confusing as it may sound, God is sovereign and He has given humans the ability to choose—His will is accomplished yet this is not the same thing as fate or destiny. The concepts of fate and destiny often speak to some impersonal force orchestrating the events of the world. But God is personally involved in the universe, desiring relationship with humanity, whom He created in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), and giving us what is good (Romans 8:28), what brings joy (Psalm 16:11), and fullness of life (John 10:10). God promises that His plans are for our good. We will never be disappointed in the outcome when we follow the Lord's will for our lives (John 17:20–26; 1 Peter 1:3–12).

understand

Fate and destiny are not biblical principles. Instead, God is in control and humans have free will. Our choices matter and influence our lives, unlike the concepts of fate or destiny which imply no personal input.
God has a plan for each person, but we are free to choose to follow or reject it.
The Bible emphasizes that our actions have consequences, following the principle of reaping what we sow, rather than a predetermined outcome.

reflect

How does understanding that our choices matter and have consequences affect how you make decisions in your daily life? How does knowing that God is in control challenge or motivate you in your choices?
In what areas of your life have you seen the impact of your choices, both good and bad, and how has that shaped your view of free will and responsibility?
How do you balance the belief in God's sovereignty with the freedom to make your own choices? How does this influence your faith and actions?

engage

Believing in fate or destiny can lead to a passive approach to life, where individuals may feel powerless to change their circumstances or influence outcomes. It may diminish the sense of personal responsibility and the importance of making thoughtful decisions, potentially fostering a fatalistic attitude. At the same time, some people find comfort knowing that no matter what they do, fate will play out. This only reflects one part of what is true, however. God is in control of all things, but we are also responsible for our actions and choices. He promises to bring good out of everything that happens for those who trust in Him, and His sovereignty gives us hope and confidence in His goodness, encouraging us to pursue what He has for us.
How can the principle of reaping and sowing be applied to understanding personal responsibility in decision-making, and how is this different than karma?
How does the Bible's depiction God’s sovereignty and human free? Though for us these two realities can seem to be at odds, the Bible clearly presents both as fact. How can understanding that God is sovereign and that humans have meaningful choice influence our approach to life's uncertainties?