What does the Bible teach about the concept of free will?

While many argue for the existence of free will, biblical doctrine indicates that natural man is bound to sin due to total depravity. As illustrated in scriptures such as John 3:19, people prefer darkness over light, demonstrating that apart from God's effective grace, our choices remain aligned with sinful nature. The notion of true free will exists only in Christ, who is free from sin and enables believers to choose Him. Understanding this helps us recognize our need for God’s sovereign work in salvation and daily living.