God has given each of us the incredible gift of free will. Throughout the Bible, we find verses that remind us of this power to choose, guiding us in making righteous decisions. Let’s look at some powerful scriptures that shed light on man’s will and how it aligns with God’s perfect plan.
Bible Verses About Man’s Will
Proverbs 16:9 – Man’s plans are always subject to God’s will
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Jeremiah 10:23 – The limitations of man’s willpower
“Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”
James 4:13-15 – Acknowledging God’s will against man’s desires
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
Romans 8:28 – God’s purpose transcends man’s will
“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.”
Philippians 2:13 – God works within us, aligning our will with His
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Proverbs 19:21 – God’s plans overrule man’s intentions
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
John 6:38 – Jesus exemplifies submission to God’s will
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
Daniel 4:35 – God’s sovereignty over human will
“All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’”
Matthew 6:10 – The Lord’s Prayer for God’s will to be done
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Psalm 37:4 – Aligning man’s desires with God’s will
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trusting God more than our understanding
“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.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s will and thoughts are higher than ours
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Ephesians 1:11 – Predestination in accordance with God’s will
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Thankfulness aligns us with God’s will
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 4:2 – Living for God’s will, not human desires
“As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”
Micah 6:8 – God’s will of justice, mercy, and humility for man
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Matthew 26:39 – Jesus’s submission to God’s will in Gethsemane
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”
Romans 12:2 – Renewed mind helps discern God’s will
“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.”
Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s plans for man are for hope and a future
“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.”
Job 42:2 – God’s will is irresistible
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Matthew 7:21 – True discipleship is doing God’s will
“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.”
1 John 2:17 – Doing God’s will provides eternal life
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
John 4:34 – Fulfillment comes from doing God’s will
“‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’”
Hebrews 10:36 – Perseverance to carry out God’s will
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Psalm 40:8 – Delighting in God’s will is our calling
“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
Matthew 12:50 – The family of God does His will
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
James 1:22 – Faith is validated by actions according to God’s will
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – Sanctification is part of God’s will
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.”
Titus 2:11-12 – God’s grace guides us to live according to His will
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 – Equipped to do God’s will
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Corinthians 1:1 – Paul’s calling was by God’s will
“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes.”
Luke 22:42 – Surrendering our will to God’s plan
“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’”
Psalm 143:10 – Learning to do God’s will is a prayer
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Colossians 1:9 – Praying for knowledge of God’s will
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”
Ephesians 5:17 – Understanding God’s will is essential
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Acts 21:14 – Accepting God’s will, even when it’s difficult
“When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’”
Romans 15:32 – Finding joy in God’s will
“So that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed.”
Galatians 1:4 – Jesus gave Himself according to God’s will
“Who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
1 Timothy 2:3-4 – God’s will for universal salvation
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
2 Peter 3:9 – God’s will for repentance
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Also Read: 40 Important Bible Verses About Orderliness
What Does the Bible Say About Man’s Will?
When we explore what the Bible says about man’s will, we find a profound interplay between human agency and divine sovereignty. The Scriptures illustrate that, while we possess the freedom to make choices, our will operates within the broader framework of God’s ultimate plan.
First, let’s consider the concept of free will. Throughout the Bible, we see that we are given the ability to choose our actions. For example, in Deuteronomy, Moses presents life and death, blessings and curses, urging us to choose life so that we and our descendants may live. This freedom to choose suggests that our decisions play a critical role in our relationship with God and our journey through life.
Yet, our will is never entirely independent of God. Proverbs frequently reminds us that while we may devise plans in our hearts, it is God who directs our steps. This suggests that our choices are meaningful and significant, but they unfold within the sovereign will of God.
The New Testament further underscores this interplay with examples from the early Church. In Acts, for instance, Peter speaks about God’s foreknowledge and predetermined plan even as human actions unfold in real-time. This duality highlights how our free will coexists with God’s overarching purpose.
Paul’s letters offer additional clarity. In his letter to the Romans, he discusses the human struggle with sin and the liberation that comes through Jesus Christ. Here, we see that our will is often in conflict with sinful desires (the flesh), but through Christ, we gain the strength to choose righteousness. This dynamic reveals the transforming power of God’s will in our lives and how it intersects with our own choices.
Moreover, the concept of submitting our will to God’s will is pivotal. Jesus Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane, models the ultimate submission when he prays, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” This act of yielding encapsulates the essence of our spiritual journey: to align our wills with God’s divine will.
In essence, the Bible paints a picture of man’s will as real and impactful, yet constantly under the purview of God’s eternal plan. Our choices matter and have significant consequences, but they are harmonized within God’s sovereign will, ensuring that His redemptive purpose is ultimately fulfilled. As we navigate our lives, we are reminded to seek God’s wisdom and guidance, striving to align our will with His, thus finding our true purpose and fulfillment in His greater story.