Free will?

I find human behavior fascinating, my own included e.g. "...why did I do THAT?!"

In light of this I found the following video thought provoking.

This demonstrates that even though we have a "free will" -- i.e. everyone in this experment made their own "free" choice to stand - our wills are heavily (if not completely) influenced by our need for acceptance/approval/love -- or at least what we BELIEVE we must do, to acquire or achieve these.

When our identity is strongly anchored in Christ - he loves me no matter what I go through or what others think, do or say - we are not as easily swayed. In fact, if our identity/sense of who we are is soundly rooted/grounded in him, I would suggest we will be swayed very little if at all. (This is likely why dictatorships do not like "religious" beliefs and most aggressively try to oppress and outlaw Christianity and other faiths. People who look to a higher source for their identity are not as easily influenced by a dictators threats because we are more influenced by God).

How much of your behavior is dictated by what OTHERS think, do or say? e.g. When the polls go contrary to your views, does that affect you and make you reconsider your position. If not, you either are very principled with clear, strong convictions or you have a strong personality and are more a leader than a follower. If you are anchored in Christ this will instill in you a strength you did not have before to do what you are convinced (believe) is right in the face of opposition. The expression "having a backbone" comes to mind. This is the essence of leadership; courage in the face of great opposition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8BkzvP19v4

Influencing our choices?

In light of the above video, if you have ever wondered whether news is controlled... in some way or another...just a little bit...maybe not a lot...etc, the below video might be a clue.

Also notice the topic of these reports in the below second video. Does it sound like someone might be concerned about the economy? This raises the thorny questions of WHO is concerned and how exactly are they influencing these reports.

This of course also raises the question of what else are we being told (or not told) to get us to act one way verses another. Hmmm, free will indeed. Just some food for thought.

Note also these are not from national news sources  i.e. the "control" goes all the way down to the local level and not just at the national level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM8L7bdwVaA

But wait! It's all probably just a coincidence, right?!

For a discussion on how our "wanter" is broken and not our "chooser" click here.