The 3 Irrefutable Biblical Facts

Last Update: 2024, February 21

If you’re a new Christian entering the arena of the freewill debate as a layman, you can easily be overwhelmed by all the deep philosophical thoughts and arguments launched against Reformed Soteriology. But at the end of the day, these three biblical facts can’t be refuted by human wisdom (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, 3:20). You’ll do well if you stick to these three and go not beyond the Scripture (1 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Kings 22:14)! Always bring back to these three (cf. Proverbs 28:26; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Being a layman myself with no higher education (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31), I have learned to trust in the simplicity of God’s unchanging words (cf. Colossians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 6:20-21). His word is truly an anchor for the mind (cf. Psalms 119:97-104). These three points, or facts, entered my mind after years of online discussions and theological reflections. They haven’t failed me yet.

1. People follow the dictates of their heart (cf. Proverbs 4:23; Jeremiah 16:12, 18:12; James 1:14)

2. God can turn the heart one way or another (cf. Proverbs 21:1; Psalms 105:14,25)

3. His turning is always effectual (cf. Proverbs 19:21; 1 Kings 22:21-22; 2 Corinthians 8:16-17; Revelation 17:17)

These three points can be expanded into many deep theological posts. To demonstrate, let’s focus on the first point. Here are the things you can learn:

• https://soteriology.substack.com/p/examining-jeremiah-179

• https://soteriology.substack.com/p/depravity-in-a-nutshell-evil-heart

• https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/freewill_chantry.html

It will be noted that our Master taught that the human will is not free from the other faculties of the heart. Far from the will reigning over a man, the will is determined by the man’s own character. It is not raised to a position of dominance over the entire man. —Walter J. Chantry

Non-Calvinists might say: “People can do otherwise. The freedom of contrary choice.” But notice what’s being left out: the heart. People can do otherwise—whatever their heart dictates!

I’ll come back to this post to update with more info linking to other posts in the future. For now, keep these three facts in mind, and always stay within the boundary of Scripture. Your mind will not be safe following the wisdom of this world. Always use biblical analogies, metaphors and parables given to us in Scripture, like how it’s done here: Who Has Made You To Differ? Men have a habit of coming up with their own (unbiblical) analogies and syllogisms to explain away biblical truth. Don’t fall for it. If we want to talk about choices and wills, we must look at these biblical characters: Pharaoh, Amaziah, Absalom, Rehoboam and Abimelech to name a few (there are a lot more!).

One final piece of advice: Your goal isn’t to make all these make sense for others. You’re not out to win arguments or debates. Life can be stressful if these are your goals. Your goal is to preach the word of God and show others what Scripture says after having rightly divided them. God will make sense it for them, and only God can. So take 2 Timothy 2:7, James 1:5, and 2 Timothy 2:24-26 to heart!

Don’t try to be complicated. Be simple because God’s word is simple to understand for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

God Has Power Over the Heart

“It belongs only to God to alter men's hearts.” —John Calvin

People follow the dictates of their heart. What we say or do all come from the heart. Our choices and actions are not neutral, detached from the heart. This is the question everyone must be asking, “Is the heart free from God’s sovereign rule?” And the biblical answer is: No. The heart is free to do as it desires, but God has sovereign rule over that desire. Here is a list I have compiled, in no specific order. God is able to…

• Inclining the Heart

  • 1 Kings 8:58 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Psalms 119:36 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Psalms 141:3-4 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Proverbs 2:2

• Hardening the Heart

  • Exodus 4:21 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Deuteronomy 2:30 (KJV, NKJV, ESV)

  • Joshua 11:20 (KJV, NKJV, ESV)

  • Isaiah 63:17 (KJV, NKJV, ESV)

  • Romans 9:18 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

• Directing the Heart

  • 1 Chronicles 29:18 (ESV, BSB, MEV)

  • Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:5 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

• Turning the Heart

  • 1 Kings 18:37 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Ezra 6:22 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Psalms 105:25 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Proverbs 21:1 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

• Stirring the Heart

  • 1 Samuel 26:19 (KJV, NKJV, ESV)

  • Ezra 1:1 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Haggai 1:14 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

• Putting into the Heart

  • Exodus 31:6 (KJV, NKJV, LSB)

  • Exodus 35:34 (KJV, NKJV, LSB)

  • Deuteronomy 2:25 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Deuteronomy 11:25 (NKJV, LSB)

  • 2 Chronicles 9:23 (KJV, NKJV, LSB)

  • Ezra 7:27-28 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Nehemiah 2:12 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Nehemiah 7:5 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Psalms 4:7 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Jeremiah 31:31-34 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Jeremiah 32:39-40 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • 2 Corinthians 8:16-17 (KJV, NKJV, ESV, LSB)

  • Revelation 17:17 (KJV, NKJV, ESV)

• Circumcising the Heart

  • Deuteronomy 30:6

• Giving a New Heart

  • Deuteronomy 29:2-4

  • Jeremiah 24:7

  • Ezekiel 36:26

• Working in the Heart

  • Ephesians 1:11

  • Philippians 1:3-6

  • Philippians 2:12-13

  • Hebrews 13:20-21