Chosen and Predestined in Christ

 

Are We Called to Cope or Conquer?

 

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

 

Practical Wisdom for Marriage and Family (Part 2)

 

Calvinist Proof-Texts Answered: How Does the Lord Direct a Man's Steps?

 

Calvinist Proof-Texts Answered 

“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

How Does the Lord Direct a Man's Steps?

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.” (Proverbs 21:29)

Commentary: Proverbs 16:9 serves as another text by Calvinists to support their claim that men do not possess free-will, therefore, every event and every act of men has been foreordained by God. Yet, it is another case of Calvinists failing to actually read the passage as well as allowing Scripture to interpret itself. The text says that a man’s heart, not some uncontrollable divine influence, deviseth his way. Hence, the text itself repudiates the Calvinist claim that men lack free-will. Moreover, the Lord directing a man’s steps does not equate to divine puppetry. Prov. 3:5-6 states that this directing is related to God’s guiding and leading in cooperation with men. Such guidance is only for those who are upright. A person can devise plans but he will have no success apart from receiving God’s guidance and direction. Hence, Prov. 16:9 would be better translated as “.... but it is the Lord who guides their steps” (Easy-to-Read Version) or “.... but it is the Lord who leads them in the right way” (Easy English Bible).

 

Practical Wisdom for Marriage and Family (Part 1)

 

We Have Wisdom in Christ

 

Marriage is a Covenant

 

Calvinist Proof-Texts Answered: Are All Gambling Results Ordained of God?

 

Calvinist Proof-Texts Answered

“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” (Prov. 16:33)

 

Are All Gambling Results Ordained of God?

“Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.” (1 Sam. 14:41-42)

 

“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:24-26)

 

Commentary: In Scripture, when lots were cast BEFORE THE LORD it was their method of receiving guidance from Him to help them decide correctly (Lev. 16:8; Josh. 18:6-10). As seen in the 1 Sam. 14 and Acts 1, this type of lot casting was done with prayer. It is this manner of casting lots that is being spoken of in Prov. 16:33. The passage is not speaking about God determining the outcome of every gambling endeavor. Joel 3:3 says, “And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink” (see also Obad. 10-12). God is not a party to child prostitution; therefore, He does not determine the outcome of those who gamble for them (Matt. 18:5, 6, 10, 14).

Separation from the Destructive Power of Sin and Satan

 

Husband, Love Like Jesus

 

Redeemed from Sin, Sickness and Satan in Christ

 

The Role of the Wife