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Passage |
Area of Control (NASB) |
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Proverbs 16:9 |
God Ultimately Controls.
The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. |
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Proverbs 20:24 |
Our Steps Are Determined.
Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? |
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Psalm 127:1 |
Lord Must Helps Us Work.
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. |
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Psalm 127:3 |
Children Come From Him.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. |
Most of us would not have much trouble with these verses. We understand that God is actively involved in our lives, controlling the events around us, and influencing our hearts by His Holy Spirit.
Problem of Sin. Yet, scripture also teaches that on occasion, God is directly and absolutely in control of our decisions and the events surrounding us. The Lord moved Joseph's brothers and Pharaoh to accomplish His purposes.
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Passage |
Area of Control (NASB) |
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Genesis 37:28; 45:5; 50:20 |
He Used Evil To Save Egypt.
Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they . . . sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.
God sent me before you to preserve life.
And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. |
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Exodus 4:21; 8:15; 9:12 |
Lord Hardened Pharaoh's Heart.
And the LORD said to Moses, " . . . I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them . . .
And the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart . . . |
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2 Kings 22:21-22 |
Lord Uses An Evil Spirit To Inflict Ahab.
And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said this while another said that. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' |
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Job 1:8 |
God Motivated Satan To Inflict Righteous Job.
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. |
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