The choices we make today affect what will happen tomorrow. This is critical information for living a successful life, but many people don’t put much thought into just how much of a difference the decisions they make right now will make on their future. Sometimes the impact of a decision we make doesn’t become apparent for months, or even years. When we think we won’t see immediate results, it’s easy to dismiss the importance of choosing wisely; however, the Bible provides us with truth and clarity on the topic.

God gives us a freewill choice in every area of our lives. He’ll never force the issue, but living life without His guidance and protection is never a good idea. In the Old Testament, Joshua wisely chose the type of lifestyle he wanted. “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, AMPC). This choice is just as relevant today as it was then.

A commitment to serve God profoundly impacts everything in our lives, on every level. How we handle our finances, choose a spouse, raise our children, and interact with others, are all influenced by whether or not we put God first in our lives. It goes well with us when we seek Him, because He wants only good for us. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). On the other hand, when we fight against God and go our own way, we suffer the negative results of our own actions. “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’” (Romans 2:5, 6, NKJV).

We’ve all seen or heard stories about people making a personal decision to join a gang, be part of a robbery crew, or abuse drugs or alcohol. The results of those actions may not manifest themselves immediately but continuing down those paths has consequences. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14, 15). This isn’t God’s will for anyone, but He allows us to decide for ourselves.

Good or bad, choices made in secret are bound to be discovered. God knows us inside and out, and there’s no fooling Him. “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:10, NKJV). When we ask God to open our minds to the truth when reading the Scriptures, the right choices for us will become plainly obvious. No matter who we are or what our circumstances may be, He is waiting for us to decide for ourselves.