Some say that men cannot really make choices, not real choices, and that man can only chose what God wants him to chose. These views are widespread, and would indicate that man is only a machine that can react, but that cannot really choose anything!

Yes, it is true that God is sovereign.

In fact He is,

… the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;”
1Tim 6:15 WEB

Even so, Scripture indicates man has choices,
real choices, to make.

Solomon says to us all,

“How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”
Prov 16:16 WEB

Moses pleads with Israel in his own day.

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed;”WEB
Deut 30:19 WEB

Or again, Joshua pled with Israel to make good choices so that they might live.

“If it seem evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
Josh 24:15 WEB

Then when they make a choice, Joshua witnesses that they have made an obligation to Yahweh.

“Joshua said to the people, You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen you Yahweh, to serve him. They said, We are witnesses.”
Josh 24:22 WEB

David said he had chosen good things.

“30 I have chosen the way of truth.
I have set my heart on your law.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen your precepts.”
Psa 119:20, 173 WEB

Also when they make bad choices, Scripture treats these
things as having real consequences.

In the book of Judges Israel had decided to turn away from the true and living God. This led to terrible situations, which they needed help to get out of. However, they are taunted with their choices.

“Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.”
Judg 10:14 WEB

Why do evil things happen to men?

“Because they hated knowledge,
And didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.”
Prov 1:29 WEB

Everywhere man is viewed as able to
make meaningful choices.

“What man is he who fears Yahweh?
He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.”
Psa 25:12 WEB

“Don’t envy the man of violence.
Choose none of his ways.”
Prov 3:31 WEB

However, man is not viewed as having unlimited choices. Man is a limited creature with limited choices. Few of us would choose the shortcomings or weaknesses we have. Man has choices, real choices, but he is not omnipotent.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901