Life is a series of choices. Inevitably, in our daily lives, we make decisions, some small and seemingly insignificant, others life-changing and having eternal implications. From the beginning, in creation, God gave man free will; the ability to choose. As we read in Genesis 2:16-17, He blessed man in Eden and allowed him to eat of all the fruits except one, with clear consequences of disobeying that. In addition, Deuteronomy 30:15-20 shows that He gave man the freedom to choose either obedience with its accompanying blessings or disobedience, with the entwined curses.
Free will is a gift given to humanity. Unlike other creatures, we can think, reason, and make choices with greater complexity. However, this comes with responsibilities and consequences. In this complex life, many times we find ourselves trapped in dilemmas, when the right path is unclear and not as straightforward. When the weight of our decisions feels overwhelming, the first question we should ask ourselves is: What is the inspiration behind my choices?
"in our daily lives, we make decisions, some small and seemingly insignificant, others life-changing and having eternal implications."
In the first chapter of the book of the prophet Daniel, he and his three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—were taken into Babylonian captivity. They were offered the king’s rich food and wine which would have defiled them, as it had been offered to idols. Choosing obedience over comfort, he requested to the chief of eunuchs in charge of them that he not defile himself with the food. Agreeing to the request would endanger the life of the chief of the eunuchs, because they could appear unhealthy compared to their peers when appearing before the king. However, God honored their faith, and favored them, and when the request was again made to the steward in charge of them, he agreed to test them 10 days with vegetables and water as they had requested, after which they appeared healthier than others who ate the king’s food (Daniel 1:5-16).
Likewise, in the fourth chapter of the book of Esther, Esther faced a life-threatening dilemma. Hamman, the king’s highest officer issued a decree to destroy all Jews throughout the kingdom, simply because Mordecai refused to bow to him. This put Esther in a terrifying position: to stay silent and safe while her people were being targeted for destruction, or to speak up and risk her own life by approaching the king uninvited. After prayer and fasting for three days, she chose courage. “If I perish, I perish,” she said and went to meet the king (Esther 4:16). Her bold, faith-filled decision led to the deliverance of the Jewish people.
We are also often trapped in difficult situations. However, when the inspiration behind our choices is rooted in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit, we can honor God through our decisions, even amid uncertainty. In Galatians chapter 5, we are reminded that the flesh and the Spirit are in constant opposition, making it impossible for a decision to be led by both (Galatians 5:17). Thus, discerning the inspiration behind our choices is key to following God’s will.
The right decision is not always easy to make. Throughout the Bible, Jesus calls us to enter the narrow gate: “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV). The flesh, the devil, and the world pull us to take the easy and broad road which requires no sacrifice or discipline and is sugar-coated with immediate, temporary pleasures. On the other hand, God calls us to choose His way; though narrow and arduous, it leads to abundant life.
To align our choices with God’s will, we must seek His guidance and wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our understanding, that we should acknowledge Him in our ways, and then He will make straight our paths. When we depend fully on God and acknowledge Him in our decisions, He directs our path. Seeking God’s wisdom through prayer and His word also helps us make choices that bring Him honour. James 1:5 calls us to ask God for wisdom if we lack it, assured that it will be given.
God, in His love, has given us free will. He calls us to exercise it by seeking His wisdom and making Spirit-led decisions. This is a calling to always align our hearts with God’s will in our decisions through prayer, Scriptures, and listening to the Holy Spirit. No matter how challenging the right path may seem, God is faithful to those who trust Him to lead them. May we always choose the narrow road, believing that God walks with us and directs our steps.
"when the inspiration behind our choices is rooted in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit, we can honor God through our decisions, even amid uncertainty...Seeking God’s wisdom through prayer and His word ... helps us make choices that bring Him honour."
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of free will, the ability to choose that You lovingly gave us. Grant us the wisdom to always seek Your guidance in every decision we make. Help us to walk by the Spirit and deny the pull of our fleshly desires. Strengthen us to choose wisely, even in difficulties, and remind us that Your ways lead to life. May our choices always draw us closer to Your purpose. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
