Timothy Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U. S. Army

Humans do have free will, and thus are morally accountable for their actions. At the same time, God's sovereignty assures that those actions, when taken in conjunction with events beyond human control, will ultimately "work together" (Romans 8:28) to accomplish His will (and, specifically, do so for the eternal -- if not immediately temporal -- benefit of His followers).

September 20 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How does Jeremiah 10:23 challenge our culture's idea of self-reliance and independence?

Jeremiah 10:23 challenges the culture of self-reliance by stating that "The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps," emphasising that a person's life path is not under their own control. 

The simple truth is this: "It does not belong to man... even to direct his step." (Jeremiah 10:23) Yes, we were not created to govern ourselves. In fact, we were no more made to rule over our fellow humans than we were created to live under water or in outer space!

God knew that the human family could never be successful in regulating itself without his rulership. In a vain attempt to be independent of God's rule, humans have set up different political, economic, and religious systems. These differences have brought people into constant conflict with one another, resulting in violence, war, and death. "Man has dominated man to his injury." (Ecclesiastes 8:9)

The tragic, long-term consequences of independence from God have once and for all demonstrated that human rulership can never succeed. God's rulership is the only way to achieve happiness, unity, health, and a fulfilling life. 

We have only to look around us to see that this assessment is correct. Most of the problems afflicting the world are direct results of people's not following the counsel of God's Word. The long, troubled history of humanity has demonstrated that humans cannot consistently make moral decisions on their own. God is infinitely wiser than we are. Why not accept what he says, instead of relying on our own wisdom?​—Proverbs 28:26; Jeremiah 17:9.

Historian William H. McNeill notes: "The human adventure on the face of this planet has been an almost uninterrupted series of crises and disruptions of society's established order."

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says the following:

It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps; as not in natural and civil things, much less in religious ones; a good man is one that "walks", which supposes life and strength, without which there can be no walking; and a progression, a going on in a way; which ways are Christ, and his ordinances the path of doctrine and of duty; yet it is not even in this good man "to direct" and order "his steps" of himself; it is the Lord that must do it, and does; he can take no step aright without him; he is guided by him and his Spirit, both in the path of truth and of obedience; and hence it is that the saints persevere unto the end; see Psalm 37:23.

6 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report