The Power of Choice — God’s Gift of Freedom
Key Verse:
“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 (KJV)
Every single day, you make dozens of decisions—from what you’ll eat, to how you’ll respond to someone, to what you’ll believe about yourself and God. Most seem small, but every choice points your life in a certain direction.
When God created humanity, He gave us something priceless—the freedom to choose. In Eden, Adam and Eve could eat from every tree except one. That boundary wasn’t control—it was love. God didn’t want mechanical obedience but genuine devotion. Real love always requires real choice.
Ellen G. White wrote, “Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise.” (Steps to Christ, p. 47.) That means you are free to choose your actions, but not the results that come with them. Each decision plants a seed that will one day bear fruit.
Paul wrote, “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). The thoughts you entertain, the words you speak, the media you consume—all are seeds. The harvest will show up in your character.
Look at Daniel. As a teenager, far from home in Babylon, he “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). That decision to honor God in something as simple as food built a habit of faithfulness. Later, when threatened with death for worshiping God, Daniel stood firm. Big faith grows from small, daily choices.
Now think of Lot. When given a chance to choose where to live, he “beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered” (Genesis 13:10). He picked the land near Sodom, not realizing how that decision would lead to disaster. One choice for convenience cost him nearly everything.
Joshua understood that every person eventually stands at a crossroads: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). There’s no neutral ground in the great conflict between good and evil. Failing to decide for God is, in reality, deciding against Him.
We live in a world filled with distractions—music, social media, trends—that make sin look normal and obedience outdated. The popular slogan “follow your heart” sounds good, but the Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). Feelings change. God’s Word doesn’t.
That’s why our choices must be rooted in Scripture. Before you decide, ask: Will this bring me closer to Christ or pull me away?
Ellen White wrote, “We need to understand that our own choice decides our destiny, and God is the only one who can give us power to choose the right.” (Messages to Young People, p. 151.) We can’t even make right choices consistently without divine help. But when you surrender your will to God, He strengthens it.
Philippians 2:13 promises, “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” That means if you truly want to follow Jesus, He’ll give you not only the desire but also the power to do it.
So how can you make better choices each day?
Pray before deciding. Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).
Search the Word. Let Scripture define right and wrong (Psalm 119:105).
Seek godly counsel. Surround yourself with people who love truth (Proverbs 11:14).
Listen to conviction. The Holy Spirit still speaks—don’t ignore His voice (John 16:13).
Act in faith. Once you know what’s right, do it—don’t wait for feelings to agree (Joshua 24:15).
The beauty of choice is that every day brings new opportunity. Even if you’ve made wrong decisions in the past, today you can start again. God’s grace turns failure into testimony.
The power of choice is the power to change. You’re one decision away from a completely different future. Choose Christ—choose life.
Prayer Thought:
“Lord, teach me to use my freedom for good. Strengthen my will to follow You, and help me make choices that build a character fit for heaven.”
- Written by Ptr. Jorge Alvarado
