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Does God do Satan’s work in removing our free choice?
Romans 9
10And not only so, but(S) also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of(T) him who calls— 12she was told,(U) "[b]The older will serve the younger." 13As it is written,(V) "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
14What shall we say then?(W) Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15For he says to Moses,(X) "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh,(Y) "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
[SIZE=2]The above indicates that we have no free choice in how we behave. Pharaoh’s free will was manipulated by God. His free choice was taken from him.
If the wills of those who sin are hardened by God, does this mean that God is doing the work of Satan or is God just creating more evil as required? Forcing people to do evil. Does He force some to take the evil path? If so, how can we condemn the sinners who have been made to sin by God? Was pharaoh innocent yet punished by God?
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