When we look at the account of Pharaoh in Exodus, the question arises: did God cause Pharaoh to sin by hardening his heart? The Bible does indeed mention that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but it also tells us that Pharaoh hardened his own heart 5 times before this.
This interplay between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility invites us to explore the broader biblical truth: God does not cause anyone to sin, but He allows individuals to choose their path, and He may confirm them in the direction they have chosen, whether for righteousness or for judgment.
Pharaoh’s Choice and God’s Confirmation
The story of Pharaoh begins with his own choice to oppose God’s command to let the Israelites go. Early in the narrative, it is clear that Pharaoh, of his own will, rejected Moses’ warnings and hardened his heart.
For example, in Exodus 8:15 (NLT), after the plague of frogs, we read, “But when Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he became stubborn; he refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had predicted.” Again, in Exodus 8:32 (NLT), after the plague of flies, Pharaoh “again became stubborn and refused to let the people go.”
It wasn’t until Exodus 9:12 (NLT) that the text shifts to state that “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” The sequence of events shows that Pharaoh had already hardened his heart several times before God stepped in to confirm Pharaoh in his decision.
This is an important distinction: God did not initially cause Pharaoh to sin. Pharaoh had already chosen to rebel against God’s command, and in response, God, in His sovereignty, confirmed Pharaoh’s choice to oppose Him.
This brings us to an essential biblical principle: God honors the free will of human beings, but He may also give individuals over to the consequences of their decisions. Romans 1:24 (NLT) says, “So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.” When people persistently reject God, He allows them to walk down the path they have chosen, even though that path leads to destruction.
We Are Accountable for Our Choices
The Bible consistently teaches that every person is responsible for their own actions and decisions. God does not tempt anyone to sin, nor does He cause sin. James 1:13-14 (NLT) makes this clear: “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else.
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” The source of sin is our own hearts and desires, not God. In the case of Pharaoh, while God hardened his heart later in the story, Pharaoh had already set his course by choosing disobedience.
This same dynamic plays out throughout Scripture, where individuals bear the responsibility for their actions, and God, in His sovereignty, sometimes confirms their choices.
Other Biblical Examples of Personal Responsibility
We see this principle in other parts of the Bible, where people choose to disobey God first, and God later allows them to face the consequences of their actions.
- King Saul’s Rebellion:
King Saul is another example of someone who chose to disobey God before God allowed him to experience the full weight of his decisions. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul grew impatient while waiting for Samuel to offer a sacrifice. In direct disobedience to God’s command, Saul offered the sacrifice himself, trying to control the situation out of fear.
As a result, Samuel told him, “How foolish! You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end” (1 Samuel 13:13-14, NLT). Saul’s decision to disobey God was rooted in his fear and impatience, and though God had chosen him to be king, Saul’s continued disobedience led to God rejecting him as king.
Later, Saul continued down the path of disobedience, refusing to fully obey God’s command to destroy the Amalekites, which led to his downfall. Saul’s choices led to his downfall, not because God made him sin, but because Saul continually chose disobedience. - Judas’ Betrayal:
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, also illustrates this principle. Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, and yet Judas had every opportunity to make a different choice. His decision to betray Jesus was his own, as he allowed greed and Satan’s influence to guide him.
In John 13:2 (NLT), we read, “It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.” But Judas still bore the responsibility for his actions. Jesus Himself said, “The Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him” (Matthew 26:24, NLT).
Though Judas’ betrayal was part of the fulfillment of Scripture, he was still accountable for his actions. Judas chose to follow the path of betrayal, and God did not cause him to sin. He acted on his own sinful desires and became responsible for the outcome.
Facing Accountability Before God
Ultimately, the Bible teaches that each of us will stand before God and give an account for our lives. Romans 14:12 (NLT) says, “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.” This means that we cannot blame others or our circumstances for our choices. Even when people wrong us or when circumstances seem unfair, we are responsible for how we respond.
Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount provides a powerful reminder of this truth. In Matthew 5:44-45 (NLT), Jesus commands us to “love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” Our responsibility is to reflect God’s character, regardless of how others treat us.
Even if someone wrongs us, that is between them and God. We are responsible for our reaction. We cannot stand before God and blame someone else for our disobedience. Our choices, our hearts, and our responses are what we will answer for, not the sins of others.
Conclusion
God does not cause anyone to sin, including Pharaoh. Instead, people choose to sin by following their own desires, and God, in His sovereignty, may allow them to walk the path they have chosen. Pharaoh is an example of someone who repeatedly hardened his own heart before God confirmed him in his rebellion.
The Bible clearly teaches that we are accountable for our own decisions, and we cannot shift blame to others or our circumstances. As Romans 2:6 (NLT) says, “He will judge everyone according to what they have done.” We must choose to follow God’s way, knowing that we alone are responsible for our actions before Him.