perhaps we are talking about the 'natural man/woman' vs the 'born again' man/woman. if we are born from above - then we would not choose anything that God found a sin. if we 'fear' God - we are not fearing Him because of retribution but fear takes on a new meaning. it means respect. that we see that He cares for us and our needs - and we want to make him happy. the way to make God happy is to forsake some of our wants for God's lifegiving spiritual help.
same as parents. they see the future of some ways of being - and tell us. we might still go against them - but generally when people are into their 30's to the end of life - they start agreeing more with faster ways to get from A to B. for instance, graduating from highschool instead of getting a GED (which is very expensive nowdays, i hear). to benefit from mentors who might get you on a fast track instead of methodically doing everything yourself.
as i see it - God is a parent first and then a mentor. if you are currently doing anything (it doesn't matter which sin) - that is against the bible and decide to test God (in a good way) to see if His words are TRUE (not testing him to do the opposite) then you can just experiment. our natural minds think #1 pleasure, self, me but God's way is #1 others, sacrifice, you. it is a sort of building of character no matter the different ways to get there. sort of like being in the army. you may not choose right away the blessings - but later on there are many for becoming disciplined. perhaps a free college tuition (the kingdom of heaven)?!
ps most christians that i know have already experienced their walk away from God before conversion. it is usually first. then, they walk towards God. young people typically go for 'self.' unless they are atypical.