Gods will vs mans free will

Only an android until God, who likes some more than others, steps in and turns on a switch so you are no longer an android.

God is not free to change, God does not need to repent.

The very first mention of the word repent is God repenting that he had made man on the earth.

Genesis 6:6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

God created man but gave man free will. Yet God wants man to give us our free will and live according to Gods will.
This intersection of free will and "discerning" Gods will, can be quite challenging.

Here is an example. I'm 51 currently out of work. I've been praying for God to guide me through this difficult time. To be honest, I DONT want to go back to corporate work, but the reality of finances and such might dictate i do so versus starting a new business on my own.
I've been praying and asking God to open doors and opportunities which requires faith. At the same time, God isn't a genie, so a job or new business isn't going to come unless I apply, network, etc. I must DO or ACT upon my own free will and or thoughts to make it happen. While there may be some Christians are many who might say patiently wait upon the Lord.

Another example, prior to be going back to church, I was listening to David Goggins (Navy seal, motivational speaker) and purchased his two audio books. Listening to his message of self-empowerment allowed me to lose 20+ pounds through dedicated working out and a strict diet. The mindset of "you are on your own" and you can do it was empowering. However, does this conflict with biblical principals as well? For the bible says "I am made perfect in your weakness." My point is we have the ability through our own free will do certain things, we can choose what car we buy, what foods we eat, surely, I don't need Gods discernment on everything, etc right?

I don't know if others feel this, but when I feel vulnerable (and humble) when I pray to God several times a day.
But when I feel like it's not my time (God doesn't or hasn't answer my prayer) then I say OK, and I'm going to make something happen if you get my point. Please correct me if I'm not thinking about this right.

Is "free will" mentioned in the Bible? I can't think of a spot and so I think the question is faulty at the very beginning.

Now you could say it's "my" will verses "God's" will. But then how do you know for sure it's not God's will?

Think about the people in the Bible. Were they just sitting around doing nothing and waiting for God to bless them? I can't think of any. "Be still and know that I am God" is a popular one used to wait patiently and do nothing. Be still. I mean being patient is a virtue, but who could be still? David wrote it and he was a warrior that killed giants, punched out bears, and was king of a nation. So surely it doesn't mean do nothing.

Your actually stopping yourself from being successful... bc you say I really hate the corporate world but I need to make money. So God says "is this what you want?" And you say the same. So God says "it doesn't sound like you want it." And so it continues...

Perhaps your belief about wealth is the problem. Does it have to be miserable to work? Are there jobs I could enjoy more and make money?

Let's say you won the lottery.....wahoo! But then you remember I didn't even buy a ticket. So you think of ways you won. My spouse could have bought it, my parent, etc. But your brain wouldn't accept that as a reality bc it doesn't make sense to you.

I've never heard a donkey talk, seen an ear form that was cut off, watched someone dead come to life, etc. All of that is impossible without God. Yet... there's that little exception in my belief. "Without God"

You could gain wealth in other ways, but it's your belief that is holding you back.

"You listen to my voice in the morning lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. "

So are we all robots ? No choice

That means I can't choose to repent and I can't choose to love.

Free will does not exist. Man does not have free will, God does not have free will.
God is not free to Lie, God is not free to change, God does not need to repent.
Men make choices, but their self=will is bound, not free.

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● Gen 6:6 . . It repented The Lord that he had made man on the earth,
and it grieved him at his heart.

The Hebrew word translated "repenteth" in that verse is somewhat
ambiguous. It can indicate a change of mind as well as regret, sorrow, or
pity. When applied to God, I seriously don't think it pertains to His realizing
He's made a mistake that needs correcting.

Seeing as how the supreme being is capable of foreseeing the ramifications
of His actions, then I must assume He already knew ahead of time that the
day would come when humanity would cause Him sadness-- not only the
antediluvians, but also the Jews (Isa 63:10) and the Christians (Eph 4:30)

In other words: were the parameters of His creation of Man a mistake, the
supreme being would've done it differently.
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Thank you for the thoughtful response. You are right, I don't really WANT to go back to corporate work. But the realities of financial burdens are such that I have been looking to get back in the same field. I thought that perhaps there would be another way, and if I prayed to our Lord diligently, he would perhaps open new doors and avenues for me. Perhaps I don't have enough faith (patience) as it's been 9 months since I've been working and I'm draining our savings to almost nothing. My wife is anxious and angry. I was a SVP at an investment firm and now I'm looking into driving for Uber for Doordash to make some cash. God has humbled me and that's OK. Our children don't understand but it's affecting them too. I still have much to be thankful for. I just want to DO SOMETHING.... action on my part, in addition to my prayers and supplications.

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I can't recall whether my childhood catechism classes discussed repentance.
But I do remember them emphasizing contrition; which Webster's defines as
feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable
behavior and/or actions, etc.

Now the interesting thing is: God's paternal offspring is incapable of sin.

● 1John 3:9 . . No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed
abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

So then, if a chip off the olde block cannot sin, then the neither can the
block. That being the case, then I seriously doubt the Bible would contain
bona fides examples of God feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for
improper or objectionable behavior and/or actions, etc.
_

The corporate world kills the soul. Although sometimes you have people there that make it worthwhile. Still at the end of the day you feel like a number.

Maybe you can find a work from home job in your field? Could you teach it online? Not sure the field. Finances, Fitness (you mentioned losing 20 pounds) tend to make money. You could try a temp agency to just get something or find something you enjoy. Whatever you know how to do you can sell. Cleaning, mowing, plumbing, dog sit, babysit.

But think of yourself like a brand. What direction do you want to go? Write it down and do things similar to your goal for money.
On one hand you have this proverb.
"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty".
Make the goals achievable.

On the other hand.
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."
Obviously talking about the kingdom of heaven. But it's the same idea with yourself. If you hate what you do and are forced to do it at least 8 hours a day. You are a kingdom divided against yourself.

When I was in a similar position I went through a temp agency and continued applying to my dream jobs. I stayed for a couple of months and was at peace with being there. My friend there taught me how to crochet and I remember crocheting on my break and thinking this isn't so bad. I kinda like it here. Literally that week I got an interview for my dream job and didn't even want to do it bc I thought I wouldn't get it. And bc I was already happy. I did get it.

Personally I think just being at peace let my prayers go through quickly. It's hard to do when you need money right now though. So for me I needed another job to be at peace.

Free will does not exist. Man does not have free will, God does not have free will.
God is not free to Lie, God is not free to change, God does not need to repent.
Men make choices, but their self=will is bound, not free.

I would posit that God's will is perfectly free since it's free from sin, corruption, darkness and evil which is why He is also free to think, speak and act only in accordance with his holy, righteous and good nature. This is why God cannot sin; conversely, unregenerate man cannot not sin since his will is not free from corruption, evil, sin, etc.

1John 3:9 . . No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he
cannot sin, because he is born of God.

FAQ: Is that verse talking about born-again Christians?

REPLY: Jesus is described as God's begotten son, which is translated from a
Greek word that pertains to one's natural child as opposed to an adopted child
and/or a foster child. For example Luke 7:12, Luke 8:42, and Luke 9:38.

Jesus is also described as God's "only" begotten son, meaning of course that
he is God's sole paternal descendant (John 1:14, John 3:16, John 3:18,
1John 4:9)

Born-again Christians aren't related to the Father as direct descendants. Instead;
they are God's handiwork (2Cor 5:17, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:24, Col 3:9-10) and brought
into His family circle by means of adoption (Rom 8:15-16, Gal 4:4-6, Eph 1:4-5)

That being the case, then it's to be expected that born-again Christians would
not be 100% sinless.

● 1John 1:8 . . If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth
is not in us.

* Self deception can be defined as delusional, i.e. a persistent false psychotic belief
regarding one's self that is maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary.
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Is "free will" mentioned in the Bible? . "