The Bible has a lot to say about the choices we make in life and how our choices affect our relationship with God and others. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that deal with the topic of choices:
Deuteronomy 30:19 – Choosing Between Life and Death
In Deuteronomy, Moses challenges the Israelites to “choose life” by loving and obeying God: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” Our choices have real consequences, and choosing to follow God’s ways leads to life and blessing.
Joshua 24:15 – Choosing Whom You Will Serve
When Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land, he exhorted them: “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua emphasized the importance of making a firm commitment to serve God in a pagan culture.
Proverbs 1:29-30 – Rejecting Wisdom’s Call
“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord…they would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof.” This passage warns how choosing to reject wisdom and godly counsel leads to calamity.
Isaiah 56:4 – Choosing What Pleases God
God promises blessing to those who choose to do what pleases Him: “For thus says the Lord: ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters.'”
Matthew 7:13-14 – Choosing the Narrow Way
Jesus said: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” While the easy, broad path leads to destruction, Jesus compels us to choose the narrow, more difficult way that leads to life.
Luke 10:41-42 – Choosing the Better Part
When Jesus visited Martha and Mary, Martha was distracted with serving while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Sitting and learning from Jesus is the most important choice.
Galatians 5:13 – Choosing to Serve
Paul wrote: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” With our freedom in Christ, we are called to choose loving service over selfish indulgence.
James 4:17 – Choosing What is Right
James warns believers: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” When we know what is right and fail to do it, we are choosing to sin before God.
1 Peter 1:13-19 – Choosing Holiness
Peter exhorts Christians: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” Out of reverence for Christ’s sacrifice, we should choose to pursue holiness.
Overall, the consistent message of Scripture is that our choices have real spiritual consequences. Choosing to love and obey God leads to life and blessing, while rejecting wisdom and righteous living leads to destruction. As believers, we are called to choose God’s way in every decision we make.
More Examples of Choices in the Bible
Here are some more examples of biblical passages dealing with choices and decision-making:
- The choice of Ruth to cling to Naomi and the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-17)
- The choice of Esther to risk her life and speak to the king (Esther 4:14)
- The rich young ruler’s choice to not give up his wealth to follow Jesus (Luke 18:18-23)
- Ananias and Sapphira’s choice to lie to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11)
- The Macedonians’ choice to generously give to help others (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
- Moses’ choice to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy Egypt’s pleasures (Hebrews 11:25)
Choosing God’s Way or Our Own
A key theme in Scripture regarding choices is whether we will choose to walk in God’s ways and wisdom or follow our own path. Here are some verses contrasting these two options:
Choosing our own way:
- “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
- “You have not walked in my ways, but have done what is right in your own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)
- “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Choosing God’s way:
- “Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:27)
- “And if you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1:19)
- “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
Joshua 24:15 again sums up this contrast: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Will we choose our own path or God’s commands and wisdom?
How Our Choices Affect Others
The Bible also contains many examples and teachings about how our choices impact others for good or bad. Our choices are not isolated; they inevitably affect other people. Some principles on this topic:
- Sinful choices like sexual immorality or coveting affect more than just ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:18, 10:6)
- Husbands and wives are called to selflessly choose to serve each other (Ephesians 5:21-33)
- We will give an account to God for choices that cause others to stumble (Romans 14:12-13)
- Love should guide all our choices toward what is best for others (1 Corinthians 13:5)
- Parents’ choices impact children for generations (Exodus 34:7)
Because we live in relationship with others, we must consider how our choices—good or bad—ripple outward and affect those around us. Our choices either lead people toward godliness or stumble them toward sin.
Choosing God in Our Relationships and Plans
Two important areas where we must choose wisely according to God’s will are relationships/marriage and making plans. The Bible gives much guidance in these matters:
Choosing relationships and marriage:
- Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- Seek first God’s kingdom in finding a spouse (Matthew 6:33)
- Choose a spouse who fears God (Proverbs 31:30)
- Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace together (2 Timothy 2:22)
Choosing God’s will in planning:
- Pray for God’s will before planning anything (James 4:13-15)
- Choose humility and allow plans to change (Proverbs 16:9)
- Seek God’s kingdom and righteousness in plans (Matthew 6:33)
- Submit plans to the Lord to succeed (Proverbs 16:3)
In all our important life decisions, God calls us to seek His wisdom and submit our desires to His sovereign will rather than simply chase our own dreams and passions.
Choosing Between Flesh and Spirit
One of the main inner conflicts we face as believers is the battle between the flesh and the Spirit. Our sinful flesh pulls us toward selfishness and worldliness, while the Holy Spirit guides us into righteousness. Paul describes this conflict in Galatians 5:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16-17)
Paul further contrasts the “works of the flesh” like sexual immorality and drunkenness with the “fruit of the Spirit” like love and self-control (Galatians 5:19-23). Each day we must choose whether we will gratify our sinful flesh or submit to the Holy Spirit and produce godly fruit.
Choosing Obedience Over Sacrifice
One of the remarkable rebukes Jesus gives is when He quotes Hosea 6:6: “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Matthew 9:13). God desires obedience motivated by love much more than empty religious ritual and sacrifice. This theme is repeated in 1 Samuel 15:22: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” While sacrifice is important, our choices to know God and obey Him out of love are far more vital.
Choosing Today Whom We Will Serve
One final exhortation on choosing is the urgency of choosing God’s way today, before it is too late. Isaiah 1:18-20 describes the fork in the road where we stand:
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
The road forks before us. Will we choose the way of obedience that leads to blessing? Or will we rebel and choose our own path of destruction? The time to decide is now, today. Joshua 24:15 urges: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” There are only two roads before us, and postponing the decision is itself a choice of the path of rebellion.
As believers seeking to walk in God’s will, we must keep choosing His way every time we come to crossroad or face a decision. Choosing God’s wise way leads to life, while our own foolish ways lead only to death. By depending daily on the Holy Spirit to guide our choices, we can reflect God’s love to others and experience the satisfaction of a life well lived according to our Creator’s wise design.