The Sovereignty of God, the Human Will, and Spiritual Discernment

[Posted October 9, 2026]

Introduction

One of the greatest questions we can consider in Scripture is this:

How much of our existence, our thoughts, our will, and our spiritual understanding is truly of ourselves, and how much is of God?

The Scriptures present man as a real creature with a mind, a heart, and a will. We think, desire, choose and act. Yet Scripture also teaches that none of these things exist independently of our Creator.

God is the Potter, and we are the clay…

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8

The purpose of this study is to consider how God’s sovereignty extends even into our existence, our will, our understanding, and our spiritual life.

1. Without God, We Could Not Exist

Before considering the human mind or human will, we must first recognize that our very existence depends upon God.

Paul declares:

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28

Everything begins with the Creator.

We did not create ourselves. We did not determine when we would exist, where we would be born, what physical body we would possess, or the circumstances into which we would enter this world.

Our existence is received. This is why Scripture repeatedly directs glory away from the creature and toward the Creator…

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.” Romans 11:36

Everything is of Him, through Him, and ultimately to Him.

2. God Knew Us Before Our Physical Existence

Psalm 139 gives us a remarkable picture of God’s knowledge of us before our physical development was complete:

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16

God’s knowledge of us did not begin when we became conscious of ourselves.

Scripture also speaks of God’s purpose concerning His people as existing before the foundation of the world:

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…” Ephesians 1:4

Paul says God’s grace and purpose were given:

“Before the world began.” 2 Timothy 1:9

This gives us a profound perspective:

Our physical existence is not the beginning of God’s purpose concerning us. God’s purpose precedes our awareness of ourselves.

3. The Human Will Exists Under God’s Sovereignty

Human beings possess a will.

We make choices. We desire things. We deliberate. We act. However, Scripture does not present man’s will as an independent power existing outside of God’s sovereignty.

Paul writes:

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

Notice that Paul includes both: to will and to do.

God’s working therefore reaches even into the willing and doing of His people.

This does not mean that our choices are unreal. We genuinely experience ourselves choosing.

Rather, it means that our will is not an autonomous power independent of the One who created us.

A useful distinction is: We have a will to choose, but our will never operates outside the sovereignty of God.

4. Human Choice and God’s Predetermined Purpose

Scripture can speak of man’s decisions while simultaneously declaring God’s sovereignty over the ultimate outcome.

Proverbs says:

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

Man devises his way.
God directs his steps.<

Likewise:

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” Proverbs 19:21

This gives us an important distinction.

The human being genuinely chooses, but the creature’s choice cannot overthrow the Creator’s purpose. God’s sovereignty does not disappear simply because man exercises a will. The ultimate outcome remains in God’s hands.

5. Giving an Account to God

Rather than saying that Scripture teaches that man is “accountable”… it is important to use the language Scripture itself gives us.

Paul says:

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

Notice that Scripture says “give account.” To give an account means to answer, explain, or report concerning what one has done. This gives us an important distinction:

God gives life → man lives and acts → God calls man to give an account.

Man does not have to be the ultimate author of his existence in order to give an account of the life he has been given.

The creature stands before the Creator.

Jesus likewise says:

“For every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Matthew 12:36

And Hebrews says:

“…all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13

The emphasis is again on giving an account.

This fits the Potter and clay analogy. The clay does not have to be the ultimate author of its existence in order to be brought before the Potter and have its works revealed.

God remains the sovereign Creator, while the creature ultimately stands before Him and gives an account of the life God has given him.

6. The Natural Mind and the Spiritual Mind

This brings us to the human mind…

Our five senses provide information from the physical world, but the mind can operate internally as well. We can remember, reason, imagine, contemplate, and even carry on an internal conversation without receiving new information from the outside world.

This demonstrates that human thought is not simply identical to the five physical senses. Scripture goes further.

Paul distinguishes between the natural man and the things of the Spirit:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God… because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

There is therefore a difference between natural understanding and spiritual understanding.

A person may possess tremendous intellectual ability and still not understand the things of God. Spiritual understanding must come from God.

7. Spiritual Understanding Is Given by God

Paul says:

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”1 Corinthians 2:12

Notice the progression…

We received…
→ the Spirit which is of God
→ that we might know.

Spiritual knowledge is therefore not presented as something the natural mind can simply manufacture.

Jesus said:

“Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God…” Mark 4:11

Jesus also said:

No one, can come unto me, except, the Father who sent me, draw him,—and, I, will raise him up, in the last day. John 6:44

Spiritual discernment is therefore a gift of God. It is not merely the result of human intelligence.

8. The Carnal Mind and Spiritual Life

Romans 8 gives us one of the clearest contrasts in Scripture:

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

Here we find the spiritual meaning behind the biblical contrast between life and death.

The carnal mind is associated with death.

The spiritual mind is associated with life and peace.

Paul continues:

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God.” Romans 8:7

Therefore, when Scripture speaks of choosing life, the matter is deeper than merely choosing physical existence.

There is a spiritual distinction:

Carnal mind → death
Spiritual mind → life and peace

The natural mind cannot transform itself into the spiritual mind simply through human effort. God must work within the person to that end.

9. “Choose Life”

Deuteronomy 30:19 “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.”

The command to choose remains real.
God’s sovereignty remains real as well.

This is not a contradiction. Scripture can command man to choose while simultaneously teaching that God is the One who works in man “both to will and to do.”

Thus…

Man chooses.

But…

God remains sovereign over the man who chooses. The creature’s will never becomes greater than the Creator’s authority.

10. The Potter and the Clay

Perhaps nowhere is God’s sovereignty expressed more forcefully than in Romans 9.

Paul asks:

“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?” Romans 9:20a

Then he gives the analogy:

“Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?” Romans 9:20b

And:

“Hath not the potter power over the clay…” Rom 9:21

This establishes a fundamental truth:

The created being does not stand over the Creator as His judge.

The Potter has authority over the clay.
The creature exists because the Creator gave it existence.
The creature’s understanding is dependent upon the Creator.
The creature’s will operates within the Creator’s sovereignty.
The creature ultimately answers to the Creator.

11. God Gives Spiritual Discernment to His People

Scripture speaks of God’s people as those whom He calls and gives understanding.

Paul writes:

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…” Romans 8:29

And:

“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called…” Romans 8:30

Jesus likewise spoke of knowledge of the kingdom being given to His disciples. This means that spiritual discernment should never become a source of human pride.

If we understand something spiritually, we cannot ultimately boast. Instead, we should give God the glory…

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

If it were received, then the glory belongs to the Giver.

12. The Elect Do Not Create Their Own Spiritual Understanding

This brings the entire study together.

If God is the Creator…
If God knew us before our physical existence…
If God purposed His people before the foundation of the world…
If God works in us both to will and to do…
If spiritual understanding is given by God’s Spirit…

Then we cannot ultimately claim that our spiritual understanding originated independently from ourselves.

The natural mind does not produce spiritual truth.

God reveals it.

The natural man does not create spiritual discernment.

God gives it.

The creature does not establish God’s purpose.

God establishes His purpose.

13. A Proper Response: Humility

The proper response to God’s sovereignty is not pride, but humility.

Paul asks:

“What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

The answer is essentially:

Nothing.

Our existence was received.
Our abilities were received.
Our understanding was received.
Our spiritual knowledge is received.
Our salvation is received.

Therefore:

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory…” Psalm 115:1

Conclusion

The biblical picture presented in this study is one of complete dependence upon God.

We are not self-created beings.
We do not exist independently of our Creator.
We possess a will, but that will does not operate outside God’s sovereignty.
We think, reason, remember, and choose, but even our ability to do these things comes from the One who created us.
Also, when it comes to spiritual understanding, Scripture teaches that the natural mind cannot simply manufacture the things of God.

Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and God must give the understanding.

Therefore:

God is the Potter.
We are the clay.
God is the Creator.
We are the created.
God is the giver of life.
God is the giver of spiritual understanding.
God’s purpose stands.

The creature ultimately cannot say to the Creator:

“Why hast thou made me thus?” Romans 9:20

Instead, the proper response is humility, faith, and worship.

For?

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:36

[Author Mark Deschamps may be contacted at mrd1241@aol.com for questions or comments]