Divine Sovereignty Over the Human Will

Both the scriptural evidence and proper theological reflection demonstrate that God is sovereign over His creation in general. But there is a commonly held view that God has limited His sovereignty when it comes to human choices. This popular view is due more to human philosophy than to God’s revelation, for the Bible clearly declares God’s sovereignty over the human will.

God’s sovereignty in the will of the lost is demonstrated in Scripture. God is presented as sovereign in judging the wicked by hardening their will against His Word in Romans 9:17-18, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” God is presented as sovereign in the saving His elect from their lost condition by the intervention of His Word in Acts 9:1-6,

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

God’s sovereignty in the will of believers is also demonstrated in Scripture. God is presented as sovereign over our hearts’ desires in Psa 37:4, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” God is specifically presented as sovereign over our desire to do His will in Phil 2:12-13,

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure.

God is in control. There is no corner of the universe–even within the human heart–outside of God’s control.