God’s Operating System: How Our Choices Judge Our Lives

Many people think of God’s judgment as something that happens only at the end of life. But Scripture reveals something far more immediate and personal: God’s judgment is happening every day—through the choices we make.

Here’s a powerful and perhaps surprising truth: we judge ourselves worthy or unworthy of God’s blessings based on whether we believe in Jesus and His finished work on the cross—or reject it. This is our gift and the responsibility of free will.

God’s Creation Has Divine Order

God created the world with a specific, divine order. It is not random or chaotic. His principles for living are laid out clearly in the Bible- not to limit us, but to show us how to thrive. The world only functions one way: God’s way.

Trying to live outside His design is like grabbing a chainsaw by the blade instead of the handle- not only is it ineffective, it’s destructive. When we ignore God’s order, we risk spiritual, relational, financial, and even physical harm.

But God didn’t leave us without help. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, so that we could be made righteous (a fancy word for perfect in the eyes of God). When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are hidden in Him- and seen as perfect by God the Father. Not because of our righteousness, but because of Christ’s.

When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are marked in an invisible, supernatural way. Our eternal destination becomes heaven. But that’s just the beginning. We still live in a world filled with sin, and we’re exposed to its effects every day. Problems are part of life, but we’re not without a solution. The choice is ours.

Faith Is More Than Belief, It’s Alignment

To fully experience the blessings of salvation, we must freely choose to align our lives with the teachings of Jesus. Living “in Christ” means living according to His Word. This spiritual alignment positions us in the heavenly realm where Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf. Our prayers become powerful when our daily choices are in line with God’s Word.

If we choose to read the ancient Book of Truth, written by over 40 people, across three continents, over more than 2,000 years, we begin walking a path of power and peace. Each of us must decide whether to deeply study this divine instruction manual or ignore it. And everyone’s journey is unique, with their own timeline for when God’s supernatural help, through prayer, begins to manifest. God never forces us. We can live any way we choose and still enter heaven if we’ve accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin.

However, by neglecting God’s Word, we will miss out on the abundant blessings He promises and if we ignore His instructiions long enough our life will be a living hell on earth.

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.”(John 9:31)

A life disconnected from His truth removes us from His protection and assistance and often leads to exhausting efforts to provide for ourselves. It also hinders our prayers from being heard because we’ve stepped outside the protection and guidance of His teachings.

Prayers for healing, provision, peace, and breakthrough become ineffective when we live independently of God. But if we surrender every area He brings to light, He promises to hear us, and He desires that we  come to Him with our needs. The Bible says:

“If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

We Judge Ourselves By Our Response to God’s Word

The Bible is clear: we determine the power of our prayers by how we respond to God’s Word. Hearing the Word is not enough, we must act on it.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

Going to church or reading Scripture without life change means we’re missing out. But when we desire obedience, the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in alignment with God’s design, step by step.

Present Judgment: The Story of the Spies

In Numbers 13–14, the twelve spies were sent to explore the Promised Land. Ten returned filled with fear, choosing doubt over faith. They judged themselves unworthy by ignoring God’s promise. Only Joshua and Caleb believed, and they were the only ones from their generation to enter the land.

Our Promised Land today is the Bible. It contains thousands of promises that can become reality if we believe for them and if we walk in faith and obedience. Promises like:

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”(Matthew 6:31-33)

“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)

When we pursue worldly security in the form of money, relationships, status and the like, instead of trusting God’s provision, we are in unbelief, and this blocks the blessings of God

Unbelief Has Consequences

Just like the ten spies, we can miss out on God’s best if we let fear and doubt dictate our lives. Judgment doesn’t always come as thunder from heaven, it often looks like missed opportunities, broken relationships, or unanswered prayers.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” (Luke 6:37)

When we judge God as unfaithful by not trusting His Word, we are, in effect, judging ourselves unworthy of His blessings.

The Way of the Righteous

“The Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.” (Psalm 1:6)

The righteous believe God’s Word, no matter how amazing and inconceivable it seems and ask the Holy Spirit to empower them to walk in alignment with it. Because of their desire for obedience, their lives flourish like trees planted by streams of water. We are either moving toward God or away from Him in every choice we make.

A Life Aligned with God’s Will

God’s present judgment is both sobering and hopeful. It’s sobering because our daily choices have real consequences. But it’s also hopeful, because God never changes. His ways are steady and sure, and no matter where we are in life, the moment we choose to align with His “operating system,” our lives begin to showcase His peace and joy no matter what is happening in our lives.

Think of it like the Earth’s position in relation to the sun. Even a slight shift in distance would make life unsustainable. In the same way, drifting from God’s will throws our lives out of balance headed for destruction. But Jesus restores our alignment, when we become willing to surrender to Him.

“The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

Unanswered Prayer Is an Invitation

When prayers go unanswered, it’s not always punishment, it’s often an invitation to go deeper. To ask:

• Am I aligned with God’s will?
• Is there sin or disobedience blocking this blessing?

If we sincerely seek the Lord, He promises to answer:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

You Hold the Key: Judge God as Faithful

Judgment isn’t simply an end of life scenario. It’s a daily reality, and the key is in our hands.

Like a foreigner learning the language and customs of a new land, we must learn the ways of God’s Kingdom through dedicated bible study. Then the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning of what we read and empowers us to live accordingly.

God has given us the manual- His Word. He’s given us the power- His Spirit. And He’s waiting for our response.

Will you judge yourself worthy to receive God’s best by judging God’s Word as true?

Food For Thought,

Lisa