So many people misunderstand the phrase “God’s plan.” I hear it all the time, especially when bad things happen—people saying, “It must be God’s will,” or “I’m not sure what God’s plan is.” But here’s the truth: while the Bible and other spiritual teachings talk about predestination in certain aspects, not everything in life is predestined. Why? Because God has given human beings free will.

Free will is a test—a lifelong test. Every day, you are faced with choices, and those choices define the path you walk. You will battle between spirit and flesh daily, and you will have to decide, over and over again, whether you will choose good. But here’s what people forget: free will is not just a privilege—it’s a responsibility. It is not a license to do whatever you want without thought or consequence.

Free Will: A Path to Destruction or Blessing

Your choices don’t just affect you—they affect everyone around you. And some choices lead to blessings, while others lead to destruction.

Let’s look at murder as an example. If a person chooses to take another person’s life, that’s not God’s will—that’s them making a free-will decision to do evil. They are walking in the flesh, not the spirit. That act of destruction was a human choice, not a divine plan.

Or take something more gradual, like smoking and lung cancer. Say someone was warned countless times to quit, yet they chose to continue smoking. If they later develop cancer as a direct result of that choice, was that God’s will? No. That was a consequence of free will.

But free will doesn’t just apply to personal choices—it affects entire societies.

Take plastic pollution as an example. Over 100 years ago, when plastic was first being developed, let’s say there were early warnings that it could be harmful. But instead of prioritizing the well-being of the planet and future generations, corporations chose to ignore those warnings for the sake of profit. And now, we are dealing with the effects—polluted oceans, toxic chemicals in our bodies, environmental destruction. That, too, is a free-will choice—a choice made by people who valued short-term gain over long-term consequences.

Or consider how we treat the Earth in general. We have the choice to care for our environment—to recycle, to reduce waste, to protect natural resources. But when people prioritize convenience and greed over the well-being of the planet, they are making destructive free-will choices that harm not just themselves, but future generations.

How Free Will Shapes Culture and Society

Another example—one that younger people might relate to—is music and entertainment.

Say an artist chooses to create music that glorifies violence, crime, or destruction. That artist is using their free will to put that energy into the world. And while not everyone will be influenced by it, some people—especially those who are struggling, lost, or lack strong spiritual discernment—will absorb those messages. Some will be influenced to live out the destructive lifestyles they hear about.

But that same artist also has the free-will choice to create music that uplifts, inspires, and speaks life into people. Just like with any choice, what you put into the world has real consequences—whether for good or for harm.

Choosing Spirit Over Flesh Aligns with God’s Plan

God’s plan for you is a plan of fruitfulness, positivity, and love. But walking in that plan requires work. You have to actively choose the spirit over the flesh, every single day. God placed the ball in your court—it’s up to you to trust in Him and make choices that align with His will.

“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 10:23).

The path of the flesh is often the easier road. It offers instant gratification—but at what cost? Choosing the spirit means choosing patience, discipline, and wisdom. It requires sacrifice, effort, and faith. But the rewards are lasting, and the steps are established by God.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

God’s Plan vs. Human Will

At the end of the day, God’s plan is for good—but humans must choose to walk in it. Suffering, sickness, and destruction are not from God. They are the result of human choices, a consequence of free will being used for harm rather than good.

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you” (Deuteronomy 30:15-16).

God’s will is clear: to love, to build, to heal, to grow. But He will not force you to choose His way. That decision is yours.

So choose wisely.

xo Jessica