You are more than your genes | Bible Daily Devotions for Teens, Christian Youth Articles

You are more than your genes

Are we "Born That Way", or do we have a choice?

Have you ever asked yourself these quesitons:

  • Why are you the way you are?
  • Why is your sexual preference the way it is?
  • Is your identity a matter of individual choice or the result of your genetic make-up?
  • Is your sexuality biologically determined?

Obsessed by our identities

According to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”, it all comes down to your biology. In other words, who you are is not so much a matter of individual choice but a result of your genetic make-up. In her view, human identity and behaviour are genetically driven.

Lady Gaga's anthem speaks to everyone preoccupied with their identities. No matter whether "you're black, white, beige, chola descent", she sings "rejoice and love yourself". What she really means is embrace your unchangeable identity.

You have choices

Yes, our genes influence our identity and behaviour. They determine our gender, our skin colour, the colour of our eyes and the size of our noses. But this does not determine who we are. We are more than the sum of our genes. We are not the slaves of our biology. No-one believes that everything in your life is completely determined by your genes. Biology is not destiny. We are also shaped by our environment and upbringing, and we also make choices. Real choices.

The ultimate choice

Jesus demands that you make a real choice to follow Him;

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35)

The choice is yours, no matter what your biological make up. Change is possible. Check out 1 Corinthians 6:9-11;

“Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

You are more than your biology. You are more than your genetic makeup. You have a choice.

So choose Jesus. Follow Jesus. Be washed clean in His name. Then you will have something to really sing about.


Read more about

predestination freewill (5) mark (43) 1 corinthians (61)