“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19
Choice is one thing God does not do for man. He has given man power over his own will, which makes every one of us a product of our choice directly or indirectly. Directly because of our conscious action based on the knowledge available to us and our inner desires; indirectly because of some steps we take that lead us to an undesired destination. For instance, we fail when we choose not to plan ahead. Failure is an undesired destination for everyone.
We are privileged to have a God who never wanted us to make the wrong choice but will not impose His will over us.
“And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man.”
Gen. 6:3a
The best God will do is to give you counsel. We choose who we marry, where we go, how we spend our money and time. All we do is a product of our choice. Therefore, the devil cannot operate without man’s approval. If we don’t yield to his invitation, he cannot force himself over us.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”
James 1:14
To choose is to take out of two or more available options and our choice is expressed by the actions we take. Jesus chose to die for mankind; He was not forced or compelled.
“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
John 10:17-18
Like Jesus, we should choose to obey God. It pays to obey God than to obey our lustful desires.
Esau chose to part with his birthright. Jacob never forced him. Your choice reveals your values and priorities in life.
“Lest there be any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” Heb. 12:16
Today, we choose to feed our belly at the expense of our integrity and relationship with God. Shifting blame to the devil is an act of self-deception. We should accept responsibility for all our predicaments, whether good or bad. A rapist will shift blame to the devil, the thief will shift blame to the devil, liars will shift blame to the devil. Must every blame go to the devil? The devil will only operate from the place given to him.
“Neither give place to the devil.” Eph. 4:27
The devil’s work from Adam till now is to entice us to make the wrong choice. People choose wrongly when they take all that “glitters as gold.” That was the problem of Eve. Each time you consider the outward appearance of a thing more than the inner value, you are likely to make the wrong choice.
We also make wrong choices when we want to please men at the expense of God and our personal persuasion. Martha was a victim of trying to do everything at the expense of her relationship with the Lord. (Luke 10: )
You can make the wrong choice when you want to pursue worldly things at the expense of God’s instruction. Jesus said:
“Remember Lot’s wife.” Luke 17:32
Choices are like seed sown; the consequences are the fruits. Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt because of her action. She lost her relevance because of a wrong choice. We all are a product of our choices.
We can also make the wrong choice if we allow our present pressure to determine our action. Pressures are not meant to be permanent.
Abraham made the wrong choice of marrying Hagar because of the pressure of barrenness in old age. Why did God not stop him? Because man has the power to choose. He gave birth to Ishmael, who became a snare to Abraham’s generation. Most marital problems are a product of choosing out of pressure. Decision taken under duress is always wrong and disastrous. Never compromise eternal things for temporal things.
All we have and all we are is a product of the choice we have made with or without the grace of God. The disciples followed Jesus by choice and reaped the reward.
The woman with the issue of blood chose to touch Jesus despite the crowd. Your choice reveals your faith. Your choice reveals your passion; it shows how wise you are. God always desires we make the right choice. The right choice guarantees God’s security and provision.
Have you made the wrong choice before realizing it? I have good news for you. Our God is a God of the second chance. If you will sincerely turn back to Him. The prodigal son retraced his steps back when he realized his folly. It is wisdom on your side to realize your folly and make restitution. God’s mercy triumphs over judgment.
My prayer for you is that you will not make the wrong choice in life, whether in marriage, in business, in ministry, in your academics, or in relationships. That the Lord Himself will inspire your choice. He says in His word:
“Choose ye this day whom you will serve.”
Joshua 24:15
The greatest decision is to choose to follow Christ and sit at His footstool like Mary. Your future depends on today’s choice. Let your choice be based on His word and you will be glad you did.
0 Comments