Does Humanity truly have free will?

TL;DR:

Human beings have a will, but we cannot say it is truly free. Our wills are limited by our human limitations, sinful influences, and our sinful nature; however, we are still able to make decisions and are responsible for the consequences of those decisions.

what does the bible say?

Human beings unquestionably have a will, as we make decisions all the time. When the word "free" is added, however, it carries the idea of making a decision/taking an action with no outside influence or control. The Bible presents only God as absolutely sovereign and free from outside influence or control. Nothing can happen if God does not allow it. So, no, the human will is not technically free. Further, our will is impacted by our sin nature, sinful influences, and our own limitations as humans. Do human beings have a will? Yes. Are human beings truly and fully responsible for their actions? Yes. Do human beings have the ability to make decisions completely free from all outside influences? No.

from the old testament

In the Garden of Eden, the ability to make decisions is evident when God gives Adam and Eve a choice: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’” (Genesis 2:16–17).
In Genesis 3:6, Eve and Adam exercised their decision-making by choosing to eat the forbidden fruit, despite God's warning. From that moment on, sin entered the world and impacted humanity along with their exercise of their wills. By nature and by choice, all of humanity is born a sinner.
Deuteronomy 30:19 emphasizes the ability and responsibility for humans to choose between life and death, blessings and curses.
In Joshua 24:15, Joshua presents the people with a decision to choose whom they will serve.
Our wills are also restricted by our own limitations. There are simply many things we are not capable of doing. Isaiah 45:5–6 and Psalm 100:3 affirm that God alone is God, and we are not. We cannot choose to flap our arms and fly, for example. So, there are clearly multiple factors which prevent our wills from being completely free.

from the new testament

The Bible teaches that we are all infected with sin; we all possess a sinful nature (Romans 3:23; 5:12). Sin prevents us from making truly free decisions. Sin plagues us to the very depth of our beings.
The lack of a truly free will does not lessen our responsibility for our own actions. We have the responsibility to choose rightly and wisely. In regards to our relationship with God and the salvation He offers, the Bible calls us to believe and change our minds (Matthew 3:2; Acts 3:19; 1 John 3:23). Every invitation to believe is a call to choose. An invitation to believe assumes the ability to choose to believe. We are without excuse (Romans 1:20–21) if we choose not to believe. We face consequences if we choose to take wrong actions (Galatians 6:7).

implications for today

If our wills are not fully free, and we are limited by our sinful nature and human limitations, this reality points to our deep dependence on God. Rather than attempting to navigate life based solely on our imperfect understanding, we must humbly recognize our need for His wisdom and seek His truth to guide our decisions. Since our choices are influenced by various factors beyond our control, it becomes all the more essential to lean on God’s Word and truth, His Holy Spirit living within believers and reminding us of the truth, and His sovereign knowledge of what is best for us. In practice, this means intentionally seeking His Word and spending time in prayer, allowing His truth to shape our decisions and actions, so we may walk in His will and avoid the pitfalls of relying on our own limited perspective. Dependence on God isn't a sign of weakness, but a recognition of His strength and the wisdom He offers to help us live rightly and fully in accordance with His plans. We are responsible for our decisions and the consequences that come with them, but thankfully, God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). We need to abide in Him and allow His truth and goodness to shape and guide us.

understand

Our decisions are influenced by sin, human limitations, and external factors, meaning our will isn't truly free.
We must rely on God's wisdom and guidance, as our limited will necessitates seeking His truth in decision-making.
Despite these limitations, we are fully accountable for our choices and their consequences.

reflect

How do you see the influence of your sinful nature and limitations affecting the decisions you make each day?
In what areas of your life do you feel the need to rely more on God's wisdom, rather than your own understanding?
How can acknowledging your dependence on God change the way you approach difficult decisions, knowing that your will is impacted by many things?

engage

How does the concept of limited free will impact our understanding of personal responsibility?
What are some wise, biblical practices to follow in making difficult decisions, knowing that we may make decisions, but they are impacted by many things?
How does the concept of limited human free will compare with the idea of God's sovereign control, and how does this understanding affect our view of God's involvement in our daily decisions?