How many times have you heard someone say, “God is in control?” While this statement might bring temporary relief, in the long-term it promotes passivity and apathy, and it distances us from God. So…. is God really in control? What does the Word tell us? Tune in to this episode as Caroline and Colby debunk this overused and unbiblical phrase, “God is in control.”

Bible Verses:

Mark 6:5-6 “And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.”

Psalm 22:28 “For the kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations. “

Psalm 103:19 “The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.”

Psalm 115:16 “The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind.”

Psalm 78:41 “Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”

2 Peter 3:9 “God not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Topics Discussed:

Sovereign vs. Controlling

• Definition of sovereign – “1. Paramount; supreme. 2. Having supreme rank or power. 3. Independent: a sovereign state. 4. Excellent.” What that means is that God has the highest rank.
• The word “sovereign” is not used in the King James Version of the Bible. It is used 303 times in the Old Testament of the New International Version, but it is always used in association with the word “LORD” and is the equivalent of the King James Version’s “LORD God.” Not a single one of those times is the word “sovereign” used in the manner that it has come to be used in religion in our day and time.
• Religion has resulted in the invention of a new meaning for the word “sovereign,” which basically means God controls everything.
• If you define the word “sovereign” as God being Lord over all, then you are absolutely correct.
• God is sovereign, but He is not controlling

Why People Cling to “Sovereign Control” Theology

• Removes personal responsibility and decision making
• If sickness and poverty are from God then why resist them, why desire change and improvement
• Woman with blood issue – why leave home and find Jesus if God is in control?

 Dangers of the “God is in Control” Theology

• Distances you from God
• Promotes passivity/apathy
• Promotes a victim mindset
• Accusatory
• Hypocritical – If he is in control and therefore sends sickness and causes natural disasters, then why would anyone pray? Why would anyone go to the doctor when they were sick? Why would anyone ever evacuate when a hurricane came?
• If we believe that God wills everything, good or bad, to happen to us, it gives us some temporary relief from confusion and condemnation, but in the long-term, it slanders God, hinders our trust in God, and leads to passiveness.
• The belief that God controls everything that happens to us is one of the devil’s biggest inroads into our lives.

God’s Will Does Not Automatically Happen

• God’s will is that none perish, but people are in hell
• God’s will was that all of Israel enter the promised land, but only two entered
• Psalm 78:41 – they limited the Holy One of Israel
• Unbelief limited Jesus’ miracles

Free Will

• God gives us free will to make our own choices and decisions.
• Lucifer was an angel, but he chose to reject God and he was thrown out of heaven. He became satan.
• Adam and Judas walked with God and Jesus but were free to reject them.
• Every person on Earth has the same opportunity to either love God or reject Him. God does not control that.

God is in Charge

• God is not in control, but He is in charge.
• A parent or king gives instructions and boundaries, then rewards and disciplines
• God is in charge, he’s given me free will, power, and authority
• God’s will is that you would choose life and blessing, but He has given us the freedom to make our own choices.

Powerful Quotes:

“There is not one verse in Scripture that says God is in control.” – Caroline Harries

“How can anyone have a relationship with a God that is controlling and wills bad things to happen?” – Caroline

“If you say that God is in control, you’re calling God a murderer, a rapist and a thief.” – Colby Harries

“You will never be able to live in freedom and all God has for you if you continue to declare out and live like God is in control.” – Caroline

“God is a loving Father, and He has given you freedom in the relationship to make your own decisions and make your own choices.” – Caroline

“Instead of saying God is in control, it would be more accurate to say that God is in charge.” – Colby

“God has laid out His will in His Word.” – Caroline

“God is not a controlling God, but He is a loving Father who has good plans for every single one of us.” – Caroline

Resources:

The Truth About Job Episode 184

Sovereignty of God teaching by Andrew Wommack

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