Choices Dramatically Impact Our Lives

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction:

Culture Loves Choices. God Loves Truth.

We can be so grateful that our God makes it clear that some choices are wrong and harmful and some are right and helpful. 

His commands protect our hearts and souls.

1. The following passages offer Biblical insights on choice:

Bad choices are often based on occult, worldly, or selfish desires.

Joshua 24:15: “If you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” NLT   

Bad choices often seem right because they are self-serving.

Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” NIV  

Bad choices are often based on jealousy and personal attempts to promote ourselves at another person's expense as Cain did to Abel.

Genesis 4:6-7: “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” ESV  

Bad choices are part of our fallen human nature that opposes God. Wise choices are part of our renewal in Christ and our understanding that all of His commands are loving, purposeful, and helpful.

John 14:21: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” ESV

copyright 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2026