Free Will, Dependence, and God’s Help
18 October 2025*This article is part of “Dialogues,” where real questions from people are answered by AI and then reviewed by theologians for clarity, accuracy, and faithfulness to Christian teaching.
Question
“What does the Bible teach about free will and the way we should live our lives? How are we to understand the balance between relying on ourselves and depending on God, and in what ways does God offer His help—both in everyday life and in times of great difficulty?”
Answer
The Bible affirms both the reality of human free will and the necessity of depending on God. Human beings are given responsibility to choose how they live, but Scripture consistently warns against living in self-reliance apart from God. At the same time, God does not leave His people to struggle alone—He promises His help, guidance, and strength in daily life and in times of crisis.
Free Will and Human Responsibility
From the beginning, God created people with the ability to choose. In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses declares: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Human freedom is real, and our choices carry eternal significance.
The New Testament echoes this, showing that we are accountable for our actions. Galatians 6:7 warns: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Our free will allows us to make decisions, but those decisions bear consequences.
The Call to Depend on God
While we are free, Scripture teaches that true life and wisdom come not from relying solely on ourselves but from trusting in God. Proverbs 3:5–6 says: “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.”
Self-reliance without God often leads to pride and futility. Jesus told His disciples in John 15:5: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” This does not mean we are incapable of action, but that apart from God, our efforts lack lasting fruit and eternal significance.
God’s Daily Help
God promises to be present in the ordinary struggles of life. Psalm 46:1 declares: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” His Spirit provides wisdom, strength, and comfort to those who rely on Him. Philippians 4:13 reminds believers: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
This does not eliminate human effort—rather, it transforms it. We still work, plan, and act, but in dependence on God’s wisdom and strength rather than our own limited understanding.
God’s Help in Times of Great Need
The Bible also shows God’s special intervention in moments of crisis. When Israel was trapped at the Red Sea, God parted the waters (Exodus 14). When Paul was imprisoned, God opened doors for the gospel (Philippians 1:12–14). Jesus Himself comforted His disciples, saying in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In such times, God not only strengthens but also faithfully limits the weight of trials. As 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” This means that no matter how heavy the burden seems, God promises that there will always be a path of endurance and deliverance.
The key is to remain steadfast in trusting Him. Deliverance may not come instantly, but God’s timing and help are certain. Through faith and perseverance, His people discover that trials are not meant to crush them but to draw them deeper into His strength and care.
The Balance: Human Choice and Divine Help
The Christian life is not a choice between self-reliance and dependence on God but a call to freely choose dependence. God created us with free will so that our trust in Him would be genuine. As Augustine famously prayed, “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Reflection Questions
- In what areas of my life do I rely more on myself than on God?
- How have I experienced God’s help—both in daily routines and in times of crisis?
- How can I exercise my free will in a way that expresses trust in God’s wisdom rather than my own?
Conclusion
The Bible teaches that human beings are free to choose, yet that freedom is best used when surrendered to God. We are called not to self-sufficiency but to trust in Him, acknowledging that our strength alone is limited. God provides daily guidance through His Spirit and often gives extraordinary help in moments of need. In both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances, His presence is our true source of life and strength.