The Power and Impact of Our Choices

9/27/2025

Today we reflect on one of the most profound realities of our human existence – our choices. As heirs of God’s kingdom, spiritual beings dwelling in human bodies, we are granted the sacred gift of free will. Through the simple yet complex act of choosing, we shape not only our lives but also the eternal trajectory of our souls.

The Bible is clear: choices matter. Our decisions, both big and small, carry weight and consequences that ripple through our present and forever. Our choices direct our actions, thoughts, attitudes, and words. In a very real sense, our choices define us.

The Bible speaks clearly about choices. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua states confidently, “But 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.”  This is more than a moment in history – it is a daily call for every believer to make deliberate spiritual decisions.

God tells us in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.” The choices we make determine whether we walk paths of blessing or brokenness. God honors freedom but calls us to choose wisely.

Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us the way to true wisdom in decision-making: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Trusting God opens the door for divine guidance in our choices.

Every choice plants a seed, and as a spiritual being, we must be mindful of what kind of fruit we nurture in our lives. Galatians 6:7 states, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked. You reap what you sow.”  Choices bring consequences, shaping character and our path. The choice to forgive can heal wounds and unleash peace, while holding onto bitterness imprisons the soul. The choice to serve others reflects Christ’s love, while selfishness fuels discord.

Wise souls have shared their truth with us. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die.” Our choices continually carve out our character. Mother Teresa reminded us, “We may never know what results come from our actions, but if we do nothing, there will be no result.” Each choice, however small, even making no choice, participates in God’s greater tapestry.

Our choices are a complex interplay between rational analysis, emotional responses, cognitive biases, and social influences. Decision-making is not purely logical; it often relies on mental shortcuts, and is influenced by subconscious processes, emotions, and cultural context.

Psychologists tell us we have two cognitive systems for making decisions. System 1is fast, intuitive, and emotional, and we use it frequently for simple decisions. System 2 is slow, analytical, and rational, and we use it for complex and critical decisions. Our challenge is to differentiate the simple from the complex issues.

Psychologist Herbert Simon has suggested that we “satisfice,” or choose options that are good enough, because we lack cognitive resources, information, and time to choose properly. Many of us go through life satisficing our decisions, choosing an option that is ‘good enough’ rather than always striving for the perfect or optimal outcome. It involves setting a minimum acceptable standard and stopping the search for alternatives once we meet that threshold. Satisficing saves time, but it can sometimes lead to less-than-ideal outcomes or missed opportunities for improvement.

Another barrier to sound choices is cognitive bias. We have looked at these before; they are mental errors, sometimes habitual ways of looking at things that compel us to make a particular choice and skew our decision-making abilities.

The question to ask ourselves is, “As a child of God how can I tell if I am being influenced by cognitive biases?”  As spiritually minded people, recognizing cognitive biases involves effort, it requires intentional self-examination, humility, and openness to correction from God, Scripture, and a trusted community.

We might suffer from a cognitive bias if we only notice or value information that aligns with our current beliefs or preferences and easily dismiss or rationalize ideas that conflict with those beliefs. This would be the Confirmation Bias.

We might have a cognitive bias if we double down on positions when challenged, rather than prayerfully consider new evidence or perspectives. This is the Backfire Effect. Or if we rely on first impressions, vivid anecdotes, or familiar Scriptures, even when situations might call for deeper or broader discernment. This would be because of the Anchoring Bias or Availability Bias.

We all fall into these cognitive biases and if we are not careful and willing to “know ourselves,” as Socrates taught, we can be making unproductive choices and not even realize it. The solution is to seek input from diverse, faithful voices, study the Bible deeply, listen to others’ honest perspectives, and ask trusted mentors to challenge personal assumptions. We can draw upon God by engaging in regular prayer for wisdom, humility, and a willingness to recognize God’s correction. Ephesians 1:17 tells us, “Keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

We can also practice self-reflection, asking, “Am I passing over uncomfortable passages or insights? Do I distort Scripture to fit what’s familiar or easy?” Let us remember Jesus’ teaching to remove ‘the log’ from our own eye before correcting another, highlighting the value of humility in confronting bias.

Our minds are not always clear; temptation and biases cloud judgment. But through faith, we can seek God’s wisdom, as suggested by James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God… and it shall be given him.” Prayer, scripture, and wise counsel illuminate our path amid uncertainty.

To conclude, our ability to choose reflects a profound responsibility and sacred gift. Let us choose Life, let us choose truth, and above all – let us choose Love. If our choices are not grounded in love, love for all involved, even the opposition, the adversary, then we are not walking in the Light of God. Our choices define our character, shape our futures, and resonate deeply with both the spiritual and human dimensions of our lives.

In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate… narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” It is my prayer that we choose, daily and deliberately, to follow Christ and His ways. Let us seek His guidance sincerely, trusting Him to direct our feet. Through Spirit our choices embrace conscious deliberate decision-making rooted in integrity, self-awareness, and trust in divine guidance. Every choice echoes beyond the moment and contributes to our unfolding story and spiritual journey.