Biblical explanation of God's sovereignty and man's freedom
God's Sovereignty
The Bible clearly teaches that God controls even the smallest events.
Proverbs 16:33:
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Absolutely everything happens according to His will.
Ephesians 1:11:
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.
Man's Responsibility and Will
The Bible also teaches that man is a responsible being, having his own will to make decisions. This is just as obvious as the sovereignty of God. The whole Bible assumes that man is responsible for his actions. For example, Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden because of their sin (Genesis 3).
Of course, man does not have absolutely complete freedom to do whatever he wants. Only God has that kind of freedom. But man has freedom to make decisions. He is not a puppet or a machine. He is made in the image of God, and part of that image includes the ability to make decisions.
When man sins, God is not manipulating his thoughts and emotions to cause him to sin.
James 1:13-14:
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Man has absolute freedom.
Man is free to make decisions.
Man is responsible for his own decisions and actions.
God's is sovereign and He governs everything.
Sometimes God causes man to sin.
