True Freedom: Beyond Environment and Natural Influences

In our lives, we are influenced by various factors, including our upbringing, environment, and the people around us. A young college student majoring in psychology recently posed a question about whether we are merely products of our environment, as suggested by radical behaviorists like B.F. Skinner. Skinner argued that human behavior is determined by environmental reinforcements, leaving no room for free will. To address this, we must first understand what behaviorists mean by "free will." They define it in purely naturalistic terms, excluding any supernatural elements such as God, the human soul, or spiritual influences. According to them, human choices are always driven by natural causes, and the strongest natural influence dictates our actions.

From a biblical perspective, I agree that humans, in their natural state, are unable to choose against their strongest natural influences. However, this is not because the supernatural doesn't exist, but because sin and Satan bind us to worldly desires. The Bible describes the unbeliever as a "natural man," unable to perceive spiritual truths that could liberate them. Without the supernatural, behaviorists are correct in their assessment. However, the Bible reveals that God's existence and divine nature are evident in creation, leaving humanity without excuse for denying Him.

Romans 1:18-21 and 32 affirm that God's attributes are visible in the natural world, and His moral will is inscribed on human hearts. People inherently know right from wrong but often suppress this knowledge. Therefore, to refute behaviorists, one must demonstrate the existence of God and the deeper reality of human nature transformed by the Holy Spirit. True freedom, as defined in Christianity, is the ability to be influenced by truth, leading to choices that glorify God and bring lasting joy. This freedom is granted through spiritual rebirth by the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our environment and natural influences shape our choices, but the Bible teaches that sin and Satan also play a role in binding us to worldly desires. True freedom comes from spiritual rebirth, allowing us to perceive and choose God's truth. [05:13]
• 2. The behaviorist view excludes the supernatural, focusing solely on natural causes. However, the Bible reveals that God's existence and attributes are evident in creation, leaving humanity without excuse for denying Him. [06:35]
• 3. Romans 1:18-21 and 32 highlight that God's moral will is inscribed on human hearts, and people inherently know right from wrong. Suppressing this knowledge leads to justifying sinful behavior. [08:03]
• 4. To challenge behaviorists, one must demonstrate the existence of God and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which grants true freedom and the ability to choose truth over worldly influences. [09:07]
• 5. Christian freedom is defined as the capacity to be swayed by truth, leading to choices that glorify God and bring lasting joy. This freedom is only possible through spiritual rebirth by the Holy Spirit. [09:51]
  ** [09:51]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:14] - Influence of Environment
• [00:29] - Question from a College Student
• [00:44] - Skinner's View on Free Will
• [01:00] - Defining Free Will
• [01:36] - Naturalistic Perspective
• [02:00] - Behaviorists' Naturalism
• [02:36] - Exclusion of the Supernatural
• [03:15] - Natural Causes of Choices
• [03:57] - Agreement with Behaviorists
• [04:35] - Biblical Perspective on Bondage
• [05:13] - Spiritual Perception and Freedom
• [06:13] - Evidence of God's Existence
• [07:09] - Suppression of Truth
• [08:46] - Refuting Behaviorists
• [09:51] - Christian Freedom Defined
• [10:20] - Conclusion and Further Resources

1. According to Romans 1:18-21, how does Paul describe the visibility of God's attributes in the natural world? What does this imply about humanity's responsibility to acknowledge God? [06:35]
2. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, what does Paul mean by referring to the unbeliever as a "natural man"? How does this relate to their ability to perceive spiritual truths? [05:13]
3. How does the sermon describe the behaviorist view of free will, and what are the natural causes that influence human choices according to this perspective? [03:15]
4. What role do sin and Satan play in binding humans to worldly desires, as discussed in the sermon? [04:53]

1. How does the sermon suggest that the existence of God and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit challenge the behaviorist view of free will? [09:07]
2. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between spiritual rebirth and true freedom? How does this contrast with the behaviorist perspective? [09:51]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that people suppress the knowledge of God's moral will, as described in Romans 1:32? What are the consequences of this suppression? [08:03]
4. How does the sermon define Christian freedom, and what role does truth play in this definition? [09:51]

1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel bound by natural influences or worldly desires? How might spiritual rebirth offer a path to true freedom in these areas? [05:13]
2. Consider the evidence of God's existence and attributes in the natural world. How can you become more aware of these signs in your daily life, and how might this awareness influence your choices? [06:35]
3. Think about a time when you suppressed the knowledge of right and wrong. What led to that decision, and how can you work towards aligning your actions with God's moral will in the future? [08:03]
4. How can you actively seek the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in your life to experience true freedom and make choices that glorify God? [09:07]
5. Identify a specific truth from the Bible that you struggle to accept or live by. What steps can you take to embrace this truth and allow it to guide your decisions? [09:51]
6. Reflect on your current environment and influences. Are there changes you can make to surround yourself with influences that encourage spiritual growth and alignment with God's truth? [03:15]
7. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with the same issues of spiritual perception and freedom? What role can you play in helping them experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? [05:13]