“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” – Genesis 1:26

In college, I took an introductory psychology class, where I learned fascinating things about brain functions and body systems. We studied decision-making processes especially, including the theory of one prominent psychologist from the twentieth century who argues that individual decisions are the result of two factors: genetic make-up and environmental influences. He believes that people are not originating forces; they are merely reflections of genetics on environments. Critics of this psychologist point out that his own theory would render as meaningless the accolades he has received, as his accomplishments would be nothing of his own doing—merely the result of his genes interacting with his environment!

Genes and environment certainly have a great impact on our lives, but our focus verse is a reminder that we are more than just physical matter reacting to external stimuli. God formed man in His own likeness by giving him a spirit, which separated man from the rest of creation. The spirit cannot be seen or measured, yet it is real and it allows us to decide what we will do with our lives.

If we are Christians, we are well acquainted with this unique ability that comes with having a spirit, because we experienced it firsthand when we chose to follow Christ. The result of that free-will decision was a real change in our lives which went beyond anything that could be explained by genetics or environment. Every Christian testimony is evidence that environmental and genetic “predictors” can be overcome by God’s Spirit in us.

How meaningless life would be if our decisions were made before we woke up in the morning; if our bodies were merely compositions of chemicals and our decisions nothing more than biological processes. Although it is true that God formed man from the dust of the earth, we are much more than those basic elements. We contain iron, but we can still have ideals. We have potassium, but we also have purpose. We are dust, but we also have a destiny. Why would we let the chemicals, nerves, and materials of the body determine our character and the motives of our actions? As Christians, we have something that can conquer the forces of desire and impulse because we have within us the motive and the soul of the children of God. Even today, we can exercise that free will by choosing to live this day purely for the glory and honor of our Creator.