Just How Freeing is Free Will (in the hands of sinners)
In the 21st century, humanity is bombarded with decisions. With so many booming businesses, options on everyday and luxury items are unlimited! Anything from clothing to food to jewelry to electronics etc. Shopping sprees can be exhilarating. Don’t have time to hit the mall? That’s ok, you can find your product you can dream up thanks to online stores. You would think with all these inventions and innovative ideas to make our lives more productive we would have less problems. Unfortunately new problems have arrived. Pollution is a big one. Environmental advocates constantly raise awareness. A lesser known problem is something known as decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is a cognitive state in which a person hits their limits with decision making. Every decision, no matter how small uses brainpower. According to Psychology Today, people make about 35,000 conscious decision daily! These choices (especially ones involving technology) drain our ability to be present in the moment and reflect on our values. There are so many paths we can take in our day to day life. It is important to ensure we choose ones we are proud of. Humanity is special because each person is created in the image of God. As new options of abortion become more conveniently accessible, we must consider the cost. How can we profit if we attempt to play God?
Being presented with so many options does not guarantee smooth sailing. The Apostle Paul reflects on the concept of free will and choice in Romans chapter 7. The idea of free will not feeling so freeing has been contemplated centuries ago. Paul exclaims in frustration his inner battle with sin. “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it” (Romans 7:18-20 NIV). He is describing the battle between his spirit and his flesh. His spirit shook hands in agreement with the Holy Spirit. Paul desires to follow God’s goodness because he knows it to be true. Nevertheless, his flesh pulls him away from his ultimate wish to follow the Lord. In this light, free will feels burdensome. God’s law exposes the sin of the human heart. It is the law which condemns us. When we compare what we are doing to what God desires for us to do, we identify infectious sin.
Part of the excitement of free will is an illusion. It is fun to fantasize about all the world has to offer until we realize it rips us away from God’s goodness. For instance, new medical advances allow for safe and convenient abortion options (such as abortion pills). Advanced technology does not always leave room for people to critically think of the full consequences of their actions or consideration of other options. An abortion procedure can be handled in less than an hour with modern medical technology or pills. There is little time allotted to question the ethics of the procedure.
Free will is a beautiful gift paired with obedience and the absence of negative influence. The National Library of Medicine reported a study in 2025 on the correlation between relief and abortion. “Among women with a history of abortion (n=409), negative emotions were reported more intensely than relief. Relief was the predominant emotion only among the 29.8% of women whose abortions were freely wanted and consistent with their own values and preferences.” In this instance, some of these women experienced pressure to abort. The conclusion in the article is as follows: “Relief is only common after freely wanted abortions. Most abortions are inconsistent or contrary to women's own values. In these cases, strong negative emotions are far more dominant than relief.” Free will without peer pressure leads to positive outcomes. Even when abortion aligned with a women’s values only 29.8% experienced relief: not an overwhelming percentage. Free will alongside disobedience to one’s intuition and morality leads to pain. In a study examining whether abortion reduces mental health risks, here is what was found… “There was consistent evidence to show that abortion was not associated with a reduction in rates of mental health problems (p>0.75). Abortion was associated with small to moderate increases in risks of anxiety (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 0.97−1.70; p<0.08), alcohol misuse (AOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.05−5.21; p<0.05), illicit drug use/misuse (AOR 3.91, 95% CI 1.13−13.55; p<0.05), and suicidal behaviour (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.12−2.54; p<0.01).” Attempting to eliminate one “problem” (pregnancy) often leads to many others. It is vital for women to search their hearts to recognize what drives their decision making.
Consider how empowering it is to say no. Do not be a slave to your own desires. Fast paced society contributes to individualism, immediate “relief” and/or “results”. If we are not careful, pride or insecurity can seep in. The narrative in our minds that tells us free will is about convenience or pleasure. God blessed us with free will to serve Him and not follow Him blindly like robots. Opting out of harmful activities is true freedom. Parting from behaviors which cause self destruction and harm others. When seeking the kingdom of God, it is important to ask Him for strength and wisdom.
Citations:
“Decision-Making: Facing the Challenge of Making 35,000 a Day.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 16 July 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sustainable-life-satisfaction/201907/decision-making-facing-the-challenge-making-35000-day.
Reardon, David. “Is relief the most common reaction to abortion? Self-assessed intensity of emotions attributed to abortion in a national sample of women aged 41 to 45.” F1000Research vol. 14 240. 3 Apr. 2025, doi:10.12688/f1000research.162063.2
Does Abortion Reduce the Mental Health Risks of Unwanted or Unintended Pregnancy? A Re-Appraisal of the Evidence - David M Fergusson, L John Horwood, Joseph M Boden, 2013, 3 Apr. 2013, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0004867413484597.
