Your Way May Seem Right,

But Have You Considered The End? 

 

 

"Only when it is too late does the deluded person discover that he is on the crowded highway to death..." - Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary

 

 

"The self-delusion of the fool is notorious. Too rare is the one who seeks advice when he needs it. To seek help is an admission of need, something the fool is never able to request, due to his inflated sense of self." - Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary

 

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

 

This verse is found in Proverbs 14:12.

 

The Holy Spirit felt that it was worth repeating so He led Solomon to record it again in Proverbs 16:25 - "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

 

Pay attention to what He is saying here to the Church -

 

"There is a way which seemeth right..."

"There is a way which seemeth right..."

"There is a way which seemeth right..."

"There is a way which seemeth right..."

"There is a way which seemeth right..."

 

It cannot be emphasized or stressed enough that even though a certain path or decision that we are about to take seems right - does not make it right. Or just because things seem to be going well at the present time in our lives - does not mean that all is well - spiritually speaking.  

 

Never does the Word of God direct us to go by what seems right.

 

In every decision, it would behoove us to ask the direct question -

This may seem right, but is it right?

 

How can we know?

 

There are many self-deluded people walking the face of the earth today.

Are you one of them?

 

Proverbs 12:15 says - "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that heakeneth unto counsel is wise."

 

"There is a way which seemeth right..."

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes..."

 

Believe-it-or-not - These two verses go hand-in-hand.

 

"The way of a fool" is marked by self-indulgence and self-will...an imperfect repentance...partiality in self-examination...false beliefs and opinions...external religious performances or acts...ignorance and carelessness...worldliness and earthly mindedness...along with sensuality and flesh-pleasing.

 

This "fool" is self-conceited and overly confident to the extent of never seeking advice from others and judging everything by the way of his own heart. In other words, he does that which "seems right" in his own eyes(opinion). His will becomes the law which rules his steps.

 

This "fool" also belongs to the "generation" mentioned in Proverbs 30:12 "that are pure in their own eyes , and yet is not washed from their filthiness." His compromising lifestyle "seemeth right" in his own eyes - even though it is marked by great wickedness and filthiness of heart - and his own self-conceit and good opinion of himself has him convinced that he is faultless or pure - despite his many sins.

 

These people who are always directed in their lives by what "seems right" are those who are traveling the "broad way"(Matthew 7:13) which leads to "destruction" or Hell. They opt for the highway which is - filled with carnality and pleasure...devoid of any hedges, restraints, or checks to their appetites and passions...easy as going down stream...and considered the popular way or that which attracts the crowds.

 

A person who directs his life by what "seems right" rather than what is right would never be found swimming against the stream of popular opinion...breaking off corrupt habits or practices...giving up worldly interests...denying self...daily resisting temptations...performing duties despite his own selfish inclination...enduring hardness...watching in all things...walking with circumspection and strictness...and forsaking all for Christ.

 

Pay attention to the "end," result, or "reward" of the "fool" who does that which "is right in his own eyes" or follows the "broad" "way which seemeth right."

 

Proverbs 14:12 tells - "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Matthew 7:13 adds - "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat."  

 

"a way that seemeth right...but the end thereof are the ways of death"

"broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction"

 

How do we - as Christians - steer clear of the "broad way," "way of the fool," or way of self-indulgence or self-will which leads to "death" or "destruction"?

 

In Luke 13:24, the Lord Jesus gave us the answer - "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

 

What this entails is being diligent, active, and earnest in overcoming every evil inclination...wrestling with God in prayer as Jacob did...striving against sin and Satan...maintaining strong convictions, fervent desires for holiness, and wholehearted commitments to God and others...and doing all things on His terms - not our own. 

 

When this is done, we are guaranteed to "enter in" to what God has for our lives. We will - know that we know that we know - what His will is on a particular issue. On the other hand, if we choose to take the easy way - the "broad way" which appeals to the flesh and allows all kinds of compromise - we will have no other alternative than to choose "the way of the fool" "which is right in his own eyes" or the "way that seemeth right...but the end thereof are the ways of death."

 

Right now, you may be facing a very important decision in your life.

Your flesh is screaming out to take the easy way out - the "way which seemeth right."

 

Hear the word of the Lord to you today - "Strive to enter in at the strait gate..."

 

If you do, you will find "life."

If you don't, you will meet with "death" and "destruction."

 

Don't be a fool!

Heed this warning!

 

"Only when it is too late does the deluded person discover that he is on the crowded highway to death..."

 

Don't let it be said of you - "Too late!"